Always after practice…after the last player has left and the day is over…Kyle Shipp walks into the Arkansas Tech University football locker room in the Hull Physical Education Building.
The head coach of the Wonder Boys watches to see that each member of his team is meeting the program’s requirements for storing their equipment and cleaning up their space.
He admits it’s a small thing, but he knows it’s the little things that make the difference between winning and losing. As ATU prepares to begin the 2022 season, it likes what it sees.
“That’s because the big guys took it on themselves,” Shipp said. “I am very proud of this. They are the ones who need to control this football team. I tell them, if they want to win, it’s up to them.”
The Wonder Boys were 4-7 in 2021. They enter the 2022 season ranked ninth in the 12-team Greater American Conference as they look for their first winning season since 2017.
“Our biggest thing is getting everyone together every day and not letting a day go by that’s a bad day,” Shipp said.
There are about a half-dozen returners with experience on both offense and defense. Shipp said the defensive line will be bolstered by freshman Braxton Johnson. The North Little Rock product was a 2021 Class 7A defensive end at Arkansas.
“So far he’s shown why he’s the way he is,” Shipp said. “A lot of times freshmen aren’t ready to play, but he’s the one that I think will be ready.”
Johnson Shipp is part of a talent pool that is promising for the program’s short-term and long-term future.
“This freshman was really good with his athleticism and length,” Shipp said. “It’s somewhat surprising how ready those people were to go.”
Newcomers aren’t the only ones who can make a positive difference for Arkansas Tech in 2022.
Redshirt freshman Hunter Lloyd was a two-time all-state selection at Rogers High School where he amassed 7,643 passing yards and 75 career touchdown passes. He spent the last two seasons at the University of Central Arkansas before transferring to ATU.
Another new face in the Wonder Boys’ quarterback class is Fort Smith Southside High School junior Taye Gatewood, who played at East Central University (Okla.). Appeared in 18 games for the Tigers.
Then there’s Ryan Wilkerson, a redshirt freshman from Elysian Plains, Texas, who could take the cracks out of the Wildcat pack this season.
“(Wilkerson) has a ridiculous vision and can run really well,” Shipp said.
Like Gatewood, senior running back Devontae Dean transferred from GAC to ATU. Dean rushed for 1,384 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons at the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Shipp He was his offensive coordinator with the Ball Weevils during Dean’s first season in 2018.
Top returners for Arkansas Tech (with 2021 stats) include: sophomore running back Keon Simmons of Mayflower (191 rushing yards); sophomore wide receivers Joyrion Chase of Marion (48 receptions, 577 yards, four touchdowns) and Mason Ross of Rogers (37 receptions, 548 yards, two touchdowns); senior defensive end Tyrese Fort of Rockwall, Texas (63 tackles, three fumble recoveries); senior linebacker Christian Cole of Sachse, Texas (42 tackles); Sophomore linebacker Matthew Minix of Tulsa, Okla. (41 tackles, 5.5 for loss) Sophomore linebacker Trayon Jones of Shreveport, La. Senior goalie Jesus Zizumbo of Springdale (10-of-15 field goals); and junior punter Aaron Winn of Somerville, SC (40.5 yards per punt).
Arkansas Tech kicks off its 107th football season Thursday, Sept. 1, in the GAC Tournament at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The opener at Paul Laird Field in Durant is set for 6 p.m. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strassner, ATU’s director of university relations and radio-by-game voice for ATU football and basketball.
