LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Junior quarterback Tyson Bagent (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg) of the Shepherd University football team has been named the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy winner as announced by the Little Rock Touchdown Club in conjunction with the Great American Conference. Bagent is the first Shepherd player to earn this award. 

Bagent led the Rams to a 13-2 mark this season and an appearance in the national semifinals. He completed 391-of-579 passes for 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns. He led NCAA Division II in passing yards (5,000), touchdown passes (53), and points responsible for (338). He passed for four touchdowns or more in nine games. A five-time PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week this season, Bagent also threw for 300 yards or more in 10 contests. He is the ninth player at all NCAA levels  – and only the second in Division II  - with at least 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes.

"I'm thankful and blessed to be the Harlon Hill award winner," said Bagent. "I can't say enough about my coaches, teammates, friends, and family members who helped me get to this point. I hope I have made everyone in my life and Shepherd University proud."

Bagent will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on Friday, January 14, 2022. 

Tyson Bagent Reaction Video Courtesy of Cecelia Mason

2021 Harlon Hill Announcement Video Courtesy of the Great American Conference

Harlon Hill Trophy Release Courtesy of the Great American Conference

 

2021 Harlon Hill Trophy Balloting 

Total	Player	Class	Pos.	School	1st	2nd	3rd
169	Tyson Bagent	JR	QB	Shepherd	44	15	7
105	TJ Davis	JR	QB	Nebraska-Kearney	17	21	12
74	Al McKeller	SR	RB	Northwest Missouri State	7	16	21
68	Michael Zeman	SR	RB	Colorado School of Mines	7	16	15
34	Brandon Alt	SO	QB	Bemidji State	4	6	10
33	Austin Reed	SO	QB	West Florida	3	7	10
32	Henry Litwin	SR	WR	Slippery Rock	4	6	8
19	Calil Wilkins	SR	RB	Bowie State	3	2	6

Shepherd Harlon Hill Trophy Finalists 

Damian Beane (4th)                             1998 

Damian Beane (3rd)                             1999 

Dervon Wallace (4th)                           2007 

Jeff Ziemba (7th)                                 2015 

Jeff Ziemba (7th)                                 2016 

Connor Jessop (4th)                            2017 

Tyson Bagent (1st)                            2021