UAPB Football Places Two On All SWAC First-Team
Pine Bluff, AR.- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football program claimed two spots on the Southwestern Athletics Conference Football all-conference teams on Monday, November 27, as selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches, media, and sports information directors.
The Golden Lions had two first-team selections, including senior Ryan Atkins and junior linebacker Rico Dozier.
Atkins, a versatile lineman who’s fundamental with great footwork, played in all five offensive lineman positions last season, including tight end. Atkins started in all 11 games and started in seven, finishing with an 89 % grade percentage, as the team finished in the top-6 in the conference in rushing.
Atkins gave up two sacks in 602 snaps with 18 knockdowns and nine pancakes, giving up 2.5 sacks. Atkin’s playing ability led him to be invited to the 2023 All-State HBCU Legacy Bowl, FCS Bowl, HBCU Pigskin Bowl, The Dream Bowl, and the All-American Bowl.
Dozier, a 2023 SWAC preseason all-conference, is a game changer on the field and in the classroom, with a 3.1 GPA. Dozier has tallied 135 tackles, which ranks him in the top four in the NCAA (FCS) and first in the SWAC this season with 64 assisted and 71 solo tackles … He is first in all three areas in the conference and is the 1 of 2 players with 100 or more total tackles to finish the season. He is averaging 11.4 tackles per game this season, which is first in the SWAC and sixth in the NCAA (FCS). Dozier had a season-high 17 tackles and a fumble recovery against Alabama A&M.
