BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2019 preseason All-SWAC teams, with four Arkansas At Pine Bluff players making the list.
A trio of players earned first-team honors in RB
Taeyler Porter, WR
DeJuan Miller, and DE
Jalen Steward. KR
Tyrin Ralph earned second-team honors.
Porter (5-10, 195; Sr., Immokalee, Fla./ASA Miami Jr. College; Business Administration/ Management major) was a first-team All-SWAC and BOXTOROW All-American last season after he posted seven 100-yard rushing games on his way to leading the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing in 2018. Porter rushed for 1,220 yards in only 10 games, highlighted by a career-best 38-carry, 226-yard, 3-TD game at Grambling. The game capped off a stretch of four-straight 100-yard rushing games for Porter (26-137 at FIU; 31-167-1 vs. Jackson St., 37-173-2 at Miss. Valley St.).
Steward (6-4, 245; Sr., Memphis, Tenn./Overton HS; Industrial Technology major) was also a first-team All-SWAC performer in 2018 and is the top returning tackler for the Golden Lions' defense, making 70 stops last season while leading the team in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (16.0). He made a season-high 12 tackles against Prairie View, and finished the season recording at least 1/2 sack in five straight games. In three seasons at UAPB, including the last two as a starter, Steward has made 131 tackles and 29.5 tackles for loss.
Miller (6-2, 184; So; Belle Glade, Fla./ Glades Central / Health & Wellness major) caught 56 passes for 801 yards and six touchdowns in earning SWAC Freshman of the Year honors. Miller had four 100-yard receiving games over the last five weeks of the season, including three straight against Miss. Valley St. (7-112-2), Grambling (10-142-2), and Alabama A&M (6-106). In the last six games of the season, Miller caught 44 passes for 588 yards and five touchdowns.
Ralph (5-8, 160; R-Jr., New Orleans, La. / Edna Karr HS; Computer Science major) ranked second in the SWAC last season, averaging 12.9 yards on 15 returns with one touchdown and also one kickoff return for 32 yards. He posted three returns for 74 yards and one touchdown, a 58-yard return for score vs. Cumberland. Ralph, who also caught 43 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns, averaged 12.7 yards on three attempts at Jackson St. and averaged 11.0 yards on three attempts vs. Alabama A&M. His 32-yard kickoff return came at South Dakota St.
UAPB was picked to finish fifth in the West behind defending champion Southern, Prairie View, Grambling, and Texas Southern.
The Golden Lions will open the season Aug. 31 at Big 12 member TCU, with the home opener set for Sept. 14 vs. Langston. Season ticket renewals are ongoing, with new season ticket sales beginning Thursday, Aug. 1.
