The HBCU monitor world simply misplaced considered one of its brightest stars to the SEC. Alabama State sprinter Jamarion Stubbs, a standout over the previous two seasons and some of the adorned athletes within the SWAC, is bolting to Fayetteville to affix the monitor program on the College of Arkansas.
The transfer hasn’t but been made official by Arkansas’ monitor program. Nonetheless, Stubbs primarily broke his personal information on Instagram with a not-so-subtle flex. A photograph of him in Razorbacks gear standing between two NCAA Observe & Subject Nationwide Championship trophies, captioned:“? ??? ???????. #wooopig?.”
That caption says every thing.
Stubbs, who simply wrapped up his junior season by ending twenty first within the nation within the 100 meters on the 2025 NCAA Division I Outside Championships, was already considered some of the explosive sprinters in HBCU monitor. However now, he’s becoming a member of a program that’s been the usual in collegiate monitor and area.
Arkansas: Observe Royalty
The College of Arkansas isn’t simply any touchdown spot—it’s a powerhouse. The Razorbacks are the back-to-back USTFCCCA Program of the Yr, dominating throughout indoor, outside, and cross nation disciplines. With top-tier amenities, world-class teaching, and one of many deepest dash squads within the NCAA. The College of Arkansas continues to draw elite expertise from each nook of the nation—and now, from the HBCU ranks.
For Jamarion Stubbs, it’s an opportunity to raise his recreation to the following degree whereas coaching alongside Olympic hopefuls and nationwide champions every day.
Stubbs’ Rise Via the SWAC
The switch marks the following chapter in what’s already been a stellar collegiate profession. Stubbs was a six-time SWAC Champion, incomes convention titles within the 100m, 200m, and a number of relay occasions throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His 2024 marketing campaign was historic:
NCAA Division I All-American within the 200 meters
Finalist on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
Ranked among the many prime 25 sprinters within the nation
His velocity, poise below stress, and talent to shine in championship settings made him a fan favourite at Alabama State. And a nightmare for each different lane on the monitor.
Now, he’ll deliver that very same firepower to an Arkansas workforce that doesn’t rebuild, it reloads.
A Rising Pattern: HBCU Stars Heading to the SEC
Stubbs isn’t the primary HBCU standout to chase SEC-level alternative—and he gained’t be the final.
This previous Could, Tyson Williams, a freshman phenom from Johnson C. Smith College, introduced his transfer to the College of South Carolina. Williams made the transfer mere days after wrapping up a stellar efficiency on the 2025 NCAA Division II Outside Championships.
Williams, who dominated the CIAA and turned heads with sub-10.30s within the 100m this spring, represents one other main expertise leaving the HBCU pipeline for the “huge” leagues. His potential on the Division I degree is very large, and South Carolina is betting huge on his upside.
These strikes mirror a rising actuality in collegiate monitor and area. Whereas HBCUs proceed to develop elite sprinters, the assets, publicity, and NIL alternatives out there at main SEC applications are powerful to match. From vitamin and coaching amenities to worldwide competitors {and professional} improvement, the leap to the SEC is usually as a lot about infrastructure as it’s about expertise.
The Massive Image
It’s bittersweet. On one hand, these transfers sign recognition—proof that HBCUs are producing expertise that belongs on the highest degree of NCAA competitors. Alternatively, it highlights the problem HBCUs face in retaining elite athletes.
For Jamarion Stubbs, the transfer from Alabama State to Arkansas is the following logical step in a journey which will very effectively finish on the Olympic stage. For HBCU applications, it’s one other reminder that they’re certainly breeding grounds for greatness—even when that greatness finally wears completely different colours.
As the faculty monitor world reloads for 2026, one factor’s clear: the SEC simply acquired a bit of sooner. And HBCU pleasure can be proper there with it, even when it reveals up draped in Razorback pink.
