There will be a new starting quarterback at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff next season, and two newcomers announced their entrance into the competition.
Shaw University transfer Christian Peters and Mississippi high school quarterback Garrison Davis each announced commitments to UAPB on Saturday.
Peters comes to UAPB with one year of eligibility remaining. He has been at Shaw, which plays in the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, since 2019 but didn’t play until 2021.
This past season, he completed 52.9% of his passes for 1,942 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions as he led the Bears to a 6-4 record and a sixth-place finish in the 11-team CIAA. He also rushed 60 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns.
Over his career at Shaw, Peters compiled 3,704 yards, 34 touchdowns and 18 interceptions with a 52.7% completion rate.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Davis recently wrapped up his senior season at Holmes County Central High School in Lexington, Miss. He threw for 3,518 yards and 41 touchdowns with a 64% completion rate. Davis also rushed for 305 yards and five touchdowns.
His team went 8-4, finished second in Class 5A Region 2 and reached the second round of the Mississippi 5A playoffs.
These commitments come after starting quarterback Mekhi Hagens entered the transfer portal earlier this month. Backup DJ Stevenson will be one of the favorites to win the starting job next year but will now have additional competition for the role.
Stevenson redshirted this past season after transferring from Reedley College in California but appeared in four games, completing 4 of 9 passes for 17 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
The other quarterbacks already on the roster are Pine Bluff High School graduate Landon Holcomb and Bethune-Cookman transfer Tysan Robbins. Each appeared only in the late stages of UAPB’s 73-0 win against Arkansas Baptist.