Andrew Body Returns To HBCU Fully Motivated

It was one of the highest profile stories of the offseason in the SWAC, and in college football in general. Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body entered the transfer portal shortly after a superb season with the Hornets concluded. He appeared primed and ready to cash in on his strong resume, perhaps even making the jump to a power conference school on his way to achieving professional football dreams.

But a funny thing happened along the way. Instead of taking his talents to a blue-blood football program, Body decided that he was already where he was supposed to be. He had unfinished business at Alabama State, and elected to return to the program.

Andrew Body, the reigning HBCU Player of the Year, has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will return to Alabama State for the 2026 season, per @jaylambrown. pic.twitter.com/EkgDFRyHFs

— LIGHT ON COLLEGE SPORTS (@LightOnSports) January 30, 2026

“I need the world to know what’s going on here at Alabama State and with Andrew Body, because the NFL is going to see this whether they like it or not,” Body said.

The choice was notable considering that Body reportedly had interest from schools like Penn State, Vanderbilt and UCF, where he might’ve been a smaller or bigger fish in a bigger pond.

Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. was obviously happy that his star quarterback decided to return to campus.

“You look at pieces that would be hard to replace, and he is one of them,” Robinson said. “He can do a lot of things with the football, and he has some good leadership capabilities and that’s what you’re looking for with so many new people in the building.”

As a result, Body remains one of the examples of a player who can still command attention and reach his potential while playing for an HBCU. He received the Small College Athlete of the Year award this summer, which is just one of the many accolades he has earned over his collegiate football career.

“It’s a blessing. Just looking back over the long days, long nights, it all paid off,” Body said.

Caught up with Alabama State QB Andrew Body at the ASWA Summer Convention and Awards Banquet. Body was named the Small College Athlete of the Year, but he said in 2026 it’s time to ‘turn it up’ ⬇️@BamaStateSports @BamaStateFB @ANDREWBODY_ https://t.co/pEoBp7X1l7

— Jaeden Day (@dayjaeden12) June 15, 2026

In addition to his most recent honor, Body also took home SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, the Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Year, and the BOXTOROW National Offensive Player of the Year. He accomplished this even though his 2025 campaign was slightly cut short due to a shoulder injury, although that shouldn’t be a factor moving forward.

Now that Body is committed to the Hornets for the 2026 season, he has lofty team goals and other individual goals at the forefront of his focus.

“These awards have been great, I am truly blessed. I don’t take any of it for granted,” Body said. “But in the grand scheme of things, we want that title. It’s time to turn it up in 2026, and there’s two awards that I feel like I left on the table.”

One of the awards Body was alluding to is the Heisman Trophy, which would be a remarkable achievement for an HBCU player to win. With that said, Body isn’t going to let his location determine his chances of winning such a historic award.