UAPB upgrades on defensive side
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff hoped to use its 2019 signing class to reinforce its defense. So far, the Golden Lions have done just that.
UAPB, which went 2-9 last season, allowed a Southwestern Athletic Conference-worst 43.2 points and 558.1 yards per game in 2018, the first season under Coach Cedric Thomas whom was hired in December 2017.
Immediately after his hiring, Thomas was thrust into the football calendar’s busiest and most aggressive recruiting period without time to craft an ideal roster before his maiden season.
“It’s kind of tough when you first get in and you’ve got to eat what’s at the table,” Thomas said. “But we were able to get out and make our own groceries this time.”
The Golden Lions’ 2019 class currently sits at 22, including 17 new signees from Wednesday’s national signing day. The class is expected to grow in the coming weeks. UAPB’s intentions for this group were a response to what plagued last season.
“There was a lot of emphasis put on defense,” Thomas said, “on the secondary and just defensive personnel.”
Eleven of UAPB’s 17 signees who signed Wednesday reside on defense. Five defensive linemen accounted for the most-recruited position group. UAPB also signed three defensive backs and three linebackers.
All three defensive backs — JT Brown of Tampa, Fla., Derrick Smith from Houston, and Chris Newton from El Dorado are either 6-1 or 6-2 and resemble the ideal size Thomas sought for his defensive backs.
“[We wanted] some length that can run,” Thomas said. “We were pretty small. We just want to upgrade the size. Everybody’s going with the 6-3, 6-2 wideout and we want to be able to match those guys schematically with what we do.”
UAPB signed four transfer defensive backs who are expected to add “immediate depth” and former University of Missouri wide receiver Harry Ballard III during the NCAA’s early signing period in December.