Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body commits to dual-threat style despite injury history
Andrew Body insists he will not alter his gameplay to protect his throwing shoulder, citing authenticity and strategic necessity as he prepares for a preseason-predicted SWAC East title run.
Alabama State football quarterback Andrew Body has affirmed his intention to retain his running responsibilities for the 2026 season, disregarding concerns surrounding his physical durability. Body, who suffered three injuries to his throwing shoulder during his career, confirmed that two of those incidents were directly linked to his rushing activity. Despite the medical history, he told the Montgomery Advertiser that he refuses to compromise his identity as a player.
"At the end of the day, I got to be me because that's all you can be," Body said following a scrimmage on 8 August. "You can't try to be somebody, or try to be someone else."
The decision to maintain his dual-threat approach comes after a 2025 campaign where Body recorded 518 rushing yards, establishing himself as the second-leading rusher for the Hornets. His commitment to the ground game was evident during the August 8 scrimmage, where he executed five rushes over four drives, including three designed quarterback runs.
Body distinguished his current mindset from previous iterations of his play, emphasising a shift towards situational awareness rather than indiscriminate movement. He described the evolution in his approach as the difference between being a "running quarterback" and a "quarterback that can run."
"Instead of just running the ball to try to make a play, you're running it when you need to," Body explained. This strategic refinement is expected to be crucial for an Alabama State squad that has been voted to finish first in the SWAC East for the 2026 season.
The team’s high preseason expectations are mirrored by individual recognition for Body, who has been named to the Walter Peyton Award watchlist. The award recognises excellence in college football, highlighting the pressure on Body to balance his offensive contributions with his health.
While the long-term prognosis for his shoulder remains unspecified in available reports, Body’s stance suggests that the coaching staff and player will prioritise his authentic playing style. The Hornets’ offensive success in 2026 will likely depend on Body’s ability to execute these designed runs without exacerbating his injury history.
