The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff won’t have a shortage of defensive backs this fall.
As of June 12, UAPB projects to have 18 defensive backs on its 2024 football roster, with 10 players returning from last year’s team. Head coach Alonzo Hampton and defensive coordinator David Calloway signed eight newcomers, including four junior college transfers.
UAPB has enough players to be three-deep in the secondary. The challenge for this small army of backs is to find a starting group of five who can improve on last year.
The Golden Lions allowed 250 passing yards per game last season, second-worst in the SWAC. UAPB’s defense ranked last in opposing quarterback completion percentage (66.2%) and interceptions (four).
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Hampton said on multiple occasions last season the secondary needed to do a better job of preventing big plays and reducing coverage busts.
“This league has some really good receivers, and you gotta be multiple in the things that you’re doing,” Hampton said at the start of spring practice in late March. “Obviously, we’ve done some study, and we’ll be able to do some things a little different this year. Obviously, we weren’t very good offensively last year, so we kind of played some soft coverages. So hopefully, we’ll get some better players, and our guys that we got, we’ll coach them better.”
Two notable returners from last season’s secondary who will look to help correct those miscues are juniors Kyle Knox and Sam Anthony. Knox led the team in pass breakups with five and is the only returning Golden Lion who intercepted a pass last season.
Anthony broke up three passes and recovered a fumble. He made 34 total tackles last season, second-most among returning players and most among returning defensive backs.
Although Knox and Anthony return, UAPB will need to replace departing playmakers such as Kyre Williams, Laprel Boyd and Grant Ewell Jr.
Antwon Jackson and Donavann Collins are the only other returning players with multiple breakups last season. During UAPB’s spring game in late April, Tavon Hardwick returned a fumble for a touchdown, while AC Swadling intercepted a pass. Hampton praised Jackson and Hardwick during the spring, suggesting those two may play a major role this fall.
Among the newcomers, one who has already stood out is Jones College (Miss.) transfer Quintin Sterling. As a sophomore last season, he intercepted one pass with two breakups. He made 28 total tackles and forced a fumble.
In the spring game, Sterling intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. During a scrimmage the week prior, he intercepted a pass and had multiple breakups.
Sterling said after the spring game that forcing turnovers is a big focus for the defense this year.
“Our coach told us he wants to get 30 takeaways,” Sterling said. “That’s all he wants for us. It’s exciting whenever somebody in the secondary makes big plays, because everybody’s excited.”
Another notable newcomer is Grossmont College (Calif.) transfer Aldo Olweny. He didn’t play last season but broke up 10 passes with one interception in 2022. He made 49 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss.
Northwest Mississippi College transfer Ja’Marlin Green intercepted one pass with three breakups last season. He made 43 tackles and recovered a fumble.
UAPB has plenty of options at defensive back. Hampton, Calloway and defensive backs coach Jeff Burrow will be tasked with finding the right mix of newcomers and returning players who can lock down opposing receivers in 2024. With the same defensive coaching staff, the same scheme and plenty of returning players, the secondary should expect to take a step forward this fall.