Mekhi Hagens will start at quarterback for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff when the Golden Lions face Arkansas on Aug. 29, UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton announced Wednesday.
Hagens, the lone returning quarterback from last season, beat out junior college transfer DJ Stevenson for the starting job.
The redshirt junior from St. Louis appeared in nine games last season, completing 53 of 117 passes for 580 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 65 times for 163 yards and four touchdowns.
Hagens started and played the entirety of UAPB’s lone SWAC win, a 35-34 comeback at Texas Southern to finish the season. He completed 15 of 37 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown in that game, while rushing 11 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
Hagens mostly practiced with the No. 2 offense during fall camp, but his performances were enough to convince Hampton and offensive coordinator Tony Hull to name him the starter.
Mekhi Hagens