#UAPBFootball: Golden Lions Turn Up Physicality in First Fall Scrimmage, Set Sights on Morehouse College

8/8/2026 2:35:00 PM

Quarterback Champion Edwards delivers a pass during UAPB fall camp at Simmons Bank Field

PINE BLUFF, AR. — With the pads finally on and the intensity of fall camp continuing to rise, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team took another important step toward the 2026 season as the Golden Lions completed their first 95-play scrimmage of camp.

For fourth-year head coach Alonzo Hampton, the scrimmage provided an opportunity to evaluate a roster that features more returning experience, increased depth and competition throughout nearly every position group.

After spending the early portion of camp working without full contact, Hampton said putting on the pads has allowed the Golden Lions to get a better evaluation of technique and physicality.

"The difference is guys are now being able to do their technique," Hampton said. "We've had two good days, Tuesday and Thursday, and today was our first scrimmage experience. You saw some good on both sides of the ball."

One of Hampton's biggest takeaways has been the development of UAPB's offensive and defensive fronts.

The Golden Lions return considerable experience along the offensive line, while Hampton believes the defensive line has reloaded around a defense that brings back six to seven starters.

"We're going to be able to run the football," Hampton said. "We've got a lot of guys back on the offensive line, and then the D-line, we kind of reloaded that group. We've got six or seven starters back on defense, so it was a good battle out there today."

Quarterback Competition Remains Wide Open
One of the most closely watched battles throughout camp continues to be at quarterback, where Hampton said the Golden Lions are nowhere near naming a starter.

The staff has placed an emphasis on protecting the football, making the correct reads and understanding where the ball should go against different defensive looks.

"All four quarterbacks have done a great job," Hampton said. "What you're seeing is guys not turning the ball over. They're doing the things that we're asking them to do, putting the ball in the right location and not putting the ball in harm's way."

Hampton praised Garrison Davis for his familiarity with the system while also noting strong moments from the other quarterbacks competing for the job.

"Garrison has been here, he understands what we're doing and has a really good grasp of it," Hampton said. "But the other quarterbacks did a good job. Jack Schierholz made some great throws, Landon Holcomb made some great throws, and Champion Edwards can flat-out run."

With approximately seven or eight practices remaining before the staff begins narrowing several competitions, Hampton continues to focus more on progression than the depth chart.

"We're not anywhere close to naming a starter at any position," Hampton said. "We're just excited about the progression they've made from the first day up until now."

The improvement Hampton wants to continue seeing from his quarterbacks involves their command of the offense.

"Understanding when to check the formation, understanding where the ball goes against certain coverages and not panicking," Hampton said. "If it's not there, throw the checkdown. We saw a lot of that today, so that tells me they're understanding our offense and where the ball needs to go."

Defense Sets Early Tone
While the offense produced several positive moments during the 95-play scrimmage, the veteran UAPB defense controlled stretches of the session.

That did not come as a surprise to Hampton. "The defense should be ahead of the offense right now," Hampton said. "All our defensive coaches are back. Most of our players are back."

Still, Hampton found plenty to correct, particularly with tackling. "We missed too many tackles on defense," Hampton said. "But you've seen our offensive guys, we've got some players who can get out there and do some different things."

More important than any individual performance, Hampton wants the Golden Lions to become increasingly player-led.

He pointed to Davis' leadership offensively and defensive end Tylan Cole's presence on defense, along with a linebacker group that has become increasingly vocal. "We're trying to get them cohesive and close together," Hampton said. "We're trying to make this team a player-led team, not coach-led. I like what Davis is doing with the offense. I like what Cole is doing with the defense, and the linebackers are starting to speak up now."

Golden Lions Want to Establish the Run
Hampton has made no secret about what he wants the identity of his team to be. The Golden Lions want to run the football and stop opponents from doing the same.

Hampton said the offensive and defensive lines were arguably the hardest-working position groups during the summer because of the additional physical demands placed on the big men. "I've seen how those guys pushed through in the heat," Hampton said. "We're going to be able to run the football, and we've got to be able to stop the run. That's number one."

His confidence in the offensive line and UAPB's running backs has also created a simple challenge for whoever eventually wins the quarterback job. "I'm not worried about the offensive line," Hampton said. "I'll turn around and hand it off 100 times. We're going to be able to run the football. We've got running backs that can run, and I tell the quarterbacks and everybody else they've got to earn the right to throw the ball. People have to stop us from running first."

Veteran running backs such as Jaylen Jennings and Mario Weber have been protected from unnecessary contact during camp, with Hampton emphasizing the importance of getting proven players healthy to opening day.

"We know who the Jimmys and Joes are," Hampton said. "Those guys that you're counting on, when people get close to them, you blow the whistle because they're going to get hit plenty during the season."

Increased Depth Creating Competition
Perhaps the biggest difference Hampton sees entering his fourth season is simply the number of players available to compete.

UAPB has approximately 108 players in camp, giving the program the ability to work as many as four groups deep offensively and three groups defensively during the scrimmage.

"It's the most guys we've ever had since I've been here," Hampton said. "We're four deep on offense at a lot of positions. Even with guys standing on the sideline injured, that didn't stop us from going three groups on defense and four groups on offense. That's never happened since I've been here."

That depth also means every player is receiving an opportunity to compete. "The ones get four, the twos get four and the threes get four," Hampton said. "Everybody is getting reps. There's not going to be one person on our team who can say, 'I didn't have an opportunity to compete.' You're getting evaluated every single day."

Hampton has delivered the same message to his coaching staff when it comes to younger players. "I don't want to hear, 'he's a freshman,'" Hampton said. "that's your job. Coach the freshman up. When they're in the game, call the same stuff you've been calling. They're in the same meetings. They should know what everybody else knows."

Hampton said that accountability extends throughout offense, defense and special teams, where the Golden Lions are also developing additional competition at punter and kicker.

Classics Bring Added Energy
As the Golden Lions continue progressing through camp, everything is building toward Saturday, Aug. 29, when UAPB opens the season against Morehouse College in the Natural State Football Kickoff Classic at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

For Hampton and his players, opening the season in a classic creates an atmosphere unlike a traditional road contest. "Anytime you play a classic, those are the games you get up for," Hampton said. "It's like the Super Bowl."

Hampton pointed to the entire experience surrounding a classic, traveling with the team, seeing Golden Lion supporters, tailgating and the number of events surrounding the game.

"You get on the bus, go to Little Rock and Memphis, then you see your fans and you see the tailgate," Hampton said. "It's just a different feeling. If I could, I'd play nine classics. It feels like Homecoming when you play a classic because there are so many things and so many events around it."

The excitement of the Natural State Football Kickoff Classic will only begin a marquee early-season stretch for UAPB. Two weeks later, the Golden Lions will travel to Memphis for another major HBCU showcase, the Southern Heritage Classic against Alcorn State.

For now, Hampton wants his team focused squarely on Morehouse. "Our players are excited about playing Morehouse," Hampton said. "But we've got a lot of work to do."

Hampton also warned that UAPB cannot overlook a Morehouse program entering the season with renewed energy.

"Morehouse is not going to be intimidated by us," Hampton said. "They've got a new coach there. They were successful at his last school, and they're coming in with that chip on their shoulders. We've got to make sure we knock it right off."

With the first major scrimmage now complete, the Golden Lions return to practice knowing there is still plenty of work ahead before Aug. 29.

Hampton wants to see more touchdowns, fewer missed tackles and continued development at every position before UAPB takes the field in Little Rock. "We've just got to keep working every single day," Hampton said. "Our program is going to continue to climb."

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories