BY DONALD HUNT
There are a number of good football players who have developed their skills playing for youth football teams in the city. Sahmir Hagans is one of them. Hagans, a former St. Joseph’s Prep football star, who is now a wide receiver and punt returner for Duke University, played for the Enon Eagles football team at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
“I started playing football when I was six [years old],” Hagans said. “I played for a Little League team [Enon Eagles] under the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. That’s where a lot of my friends and coaches were when I started playing football.
“We had a lot of guys that played for them and a lot of us went to [play] Division I, II and III football. We have a very notable player in the National Football League D’Andre Swift [former St. Joseph’s Prep standout who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles] who played and was under our program.”
Hagans, a 5-10, 185-pound redshirt sophomore, will be a big part of the Blue Devils’ offense this season. A year ago, he had 31 catches for 400 yards and five touchdowns.
“I’m a little older now,” he said. “I want to step into a bigger role. I want to be more of a leader for younger players.”
Duke University's Sahmir Hagans in 2022 game vs. Wake Forest. (Photo/ Duke University Athletics.)
Hagans has made a big impact on special teams. He returned a punt 81 yards for a TD against Georgia Tech last season. He has been a special teams player going back to his days at St. Joseph’s Prep.
“It definitely plays a big role, Hagans said. “We put a lot of emphasis on it here. Everybody plays a role and if you can help on special teams, you’re definitely an asset to the team and to the program. I played special teams the last three seasons at the Prep.”
Duke had a 9-4 overall and a 5-3 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season. The Blue Devils also won the Military Bowl defeating UCF, 30-13. Hagans feels Duke can have another great season with several players back from last year’s team.
“We got a lot of returning guys,” he said. “We’ve been working really hard in the weight room with training and conditioning. We’re destined to have a good year.”
Duke will face Clemson on Monday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Hagans will play against his former St. Joseph’s Prep teammate Jeremiah Trotter Jr. who stars for Clemson.
St. Joseph's Prep Grad. Sahmir Hagans helped his team capture their 3rd consecutive PIAA Class 6A State Championship in 2020. (PSD photo by Kathy Leister)