PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Arkansas Pine Bluff, like many smaller division one football teams, lost a lot to the transfer portal in the offseason.

While the Golden Lions won just three games last season, they had more success than in recent years and had talent, especially on offense, with quarterback Mekhi Hagens and wide receiver Javonnie Gibson.

Now, Hagens is at conference foe Alabama A&M while Gibson took a big leap forward to play for Oklahoma. UAPB also lost its top linebacker to the transfer portal when Jaden Kelly (91 total tackles last season) transferred to Kennesaw State.

Third-year head coach Alonzo Hampton recognizes the uphill challenge that his program has.

“You don't want your best players to leave, but we're just in that era right now where everybody, if they play well, they'

See Full Page