The Hornets will take the stage at the Sheraton in downtown Birmingham on Wednesday, July 15, carrying both national attention and unanswered questions as the 2026 HBCU football season approaches. Alabama State drew significant preseason buzz after retaining quarterback Andrew Body and earning a top-five spot in early Black College Football rankings.
National attention and local expectations
Alabama State was listed at No. 4 in the initial Black College Football Poll released July 9 and picked up the second-most first-place votes behind South Carolina State. The early backing follows Body’s decision to return to Montgomery for another season after he was named the reigning HBCU National Player of the Year.
Coach Eddie Robinson Jr. is scheduled to address media in Birmingham alongside Body and defensive back Ta'Shan Sims, an All-American in 2025. The trio will be asked to outline how the Hornets plan to replicate — or exceed — last season’s offensive production.
Changes on offense
Alabama State led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in many offensive categories a year ago and ranked among the FCS leaders in several metrics. Much of that success was tied to Body’s play, complemented by an All-American wide receiver and a veteran play-caller — both of whom have moved on.
Key offseason moves on offense include:
- Coaching change: Former Arkansas–Pine Bluff offensive coordinator Tony Hull will step in as play-caller.
- Position shifts: Kareem Keye is transitioning from quarterback to receiver to help fill the void left by departing playmakers.
- Transfer addition: Franck Pierre, a top receiver from rival Alabama A&M in 2025, joined the Hornets over the offseason.
The immediate question is whether Hull’s approach will sustain the Hornets’ explosiveness. With a different offensive staff and personnel changes along the line and at receiver, continuity is a concern even with Body under center.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Preseason rank | No. 4 in Black College Football Poll (July 9) |
| Key returning player | Andrew Body, quarterback; 2025 HBCU POY |
| New offensive coordinator | Tony Hull (from Arkansas–Pine Bluff) |
What to watch at Media Days and beyond
Reporters are likely to press Alabama State on several fronts when Robinson, Body and Sims appear Wednesday. Among them:
- How Hull’s play-calling will compare with the previous system and whether the Hornets will keep the same balance of pace and play-action that fueled their 2025 offense.
- Whether the receiving corps — now featuring former quarterbacks turned receivers and incoming transfers — can replace the production of departed stars.
- Depth and experience along the offensive line after graduation losses that could affect both protection and the running game.
For Montgomery fans, the news will be judged by results on the field: repeated offensive success would make Alabama State a clear contender for the SWAC title; struggles would expose the vulnerabilities created by turnover. Media Days will offer the first public accounting of the Hornets’ answers.
Coverage of the event and a deeper look at the roster will follow after Wednesday’s appearance in Birmingham.
