A former Alabama quarterback has won a conference award in his first year at his new school.

Layne Hatcher, who transferred to Arkansas State earlier this year, has been named the Sun Belt Conference freshman of the year.

The redshirt freshman has thrown for 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns with only eight interceptions in eight games since taking over as Arkansas State’s starting quarterback.

After starting 2-2, the team has gone 5-3 since Hatcher stepped in for Logan Bonner, who suffered a season-ending injury.

Hatcher has thrown multiple touchdowns in each of his eight starts and has thrown for 297 yards or more in seven of those eight games.

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.