PINE BLUFF — A huge helping of adversity was thrown in Mekhi Hagens’ direction last season after he took over as the starting quarterback for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, but the St. Louis native hasn’t appeared to be phased one bit by any of it.
If anything, it’s had an opposite effect on the 6-3, 204-pound quarterback, who’s on the eve of beginning his version of a college football redemption tour after injuries essentially ruined what was once a promising 2023 season.
That journey for the redshirt junior starts in earnest Thursday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock when UAPB faces the University of Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in the second meeting between the Golden Lions and the Razorbacks.
Hagens, however, is trying to take the matchup in stride.
“I’m excited and honored for this position,” he said. “I know a lot comes with it, so I’m ready. I’ve been preparing myself for this moment my whole life. Just been working hard, and it’s paying off.
“So it’s time to show what I’ve been working on.”
What Hagens has been working on and showing was enough for UAPB Coach Alonzo Hampton to name him the team’s starter during the latter stages of preseason fall camp. To add to that distinction, Hagens was also chosen as one of the team’s captains.
Both of those honors speak volumes about the strong-armed right-hander, who insists he’s not getting too amped about the test the Golden Lions are about to confront in their season opener. But considering the injury obstacle he faced a year ago, it’s fairly easy to understand why.
Hagens was UAPB’s opening-game starter last season against Tulsa until he was forced out of that game in the second half because of an injury. Officially, he finished 10-of-21 passing for 109 yards with an interception in a 42-7 loss that started a 2-9 season.
He was fortunate enough to return to play in eight of the team’s final 10 games, but he was never quite able to shake that injury bug completely and was never fully healthy the rest of the way. Ultimately, that forced Hampton into the tough position of having to play multiple quarterbacks for the majority of the season.
In all, five different players threw passes for UAPB, although two of those tosses were from receivers. But according to Hampton, there’s no question who’ll take the first snap under center on the Golden Lions’ opening possession against the Razorbacks.
“I just want him to be able to go out there and relax and play his best football game,” Hampton said of Hagens, who finished the season completing 53 of 117 passes (45.3%) for 580 yards with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. “This young man deserves it. He’s worked his tail off, so he deserves this opportunity. He played well last year against Tulsa until he got injured.
“I think if he’d probably played the whole year, I think a lot of things would’ve been different. But when you get injured, sometimes it just mentally kind of takes you away from the things you’re accustomed to.”
Whatever positive things Hagens was used to implementing prior to that injury, he’s reverted back to doing them. Hampton mentioned that outside of the physical attributes and edges Hagens brings, particularly his ability to run, he’s also taken advantage of video sessions on the inside while showing that he can take command of the offense when things shift outside.
All of that has left an impression on UAPB’s first-year offensive coordinator Tony Hull.
“His ability to process and his ability to make adjustments within the game plan is what’s really stood out to me,” Hull said. “His ball placement as well as the velocity with which he throws the football, all of those went into saying that he’s the guy. He has the ability to get us out of bad plays and get us into better ones.
“He also has the ability to take the football and place it where it needs to be.”
Hagens has apparently gained the trust of his wideouts as well, some of whom are newcomers.
“He can do it all,” said JaVonnie Gibson, who transferred in from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. “He can run, pass, it’s amazing. You just have to see it on film.
“This past spring, we were here every day after practice getting throws in and working. I think that’s played a big role with all the receivers. He’s bought into the system, and I’ve bought into the system, too.”
Despite everything that Hagens has done, he’s expected to be challenged considerably by the Razorbacks.
But Hull said he doesn’t intend to put everything on his quarterback’s shoulders. With as much rotating as Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams does, he said the Golden Lions will have collectively be specific in everything they do offensively.
“You have to identify what your players are better at,” Hull said. “You have to play on those strengths. Being an offensive coordinator at Grambling State last year, we played LSU and didn’t give up a sack. So I just have to do a really good job of understanding our strengths and playing to that.”
In any event, Hagens’ role will be immense for a UAPB team that’s looking to start 2024 on a positive note. By all accounts, he’s all in for it.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I get the chance to go out there and play SEC ball. Everybody wants this opportunity, and I’m blessed enough to have this opportunity.
“The biggest thing I learned from last year is to take nothing for granted. Anything can be taken at any moment. So we’ve just got to stay the course and keep working hard.”
