Reviewed by: Leonard Hall
9 Alabama State football players who just dominated the SWAC preseason awards
Reading time: 3 minutes
Football season is right around the corner, and Alabama State University is already leading the pack. On Wednesday, July 8, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) announced its 2026 Preseason All-Conference honors and the ASU Hornets dominated the list. ASU leads all programs in the conference with an impressive nine players earning preseason accolades.
All-SWAC First Team:
- Quarterback Andrew Body
- Offensive lineman Elijah Baker
- Wide receiver / return specialist Nehemiah Hixon
- Defensive lineman Michael Joiner Jr.
- Safety Tashaun Sims
All-SWAC Second Team:
- Running back Jamarie Hostzclaw
- Offensive lineman Dezmond Penn
- Long snapper Garrett Wilemon
- Kicker Andrew Abu-Akel
Alabama State head football coach Eddie Robinson Jr. had 29 All-SWAC and 12 All-American student-athletes during his tenure with the Hornets. Body continues to rack up in preseason awards, also earning SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
ASU star quarterback Andrew Body returns for 1 more season + his impact on the 2026 offensive outlook
The Hornets almost took a massive blow when Quarterback Andrew Body declared his intentions to enter the transfer portal in December 2025.
Despite receiving several offers from other schools, Body decided to return to Alabama State for his senior season, giving the Hornets a much-needed boost of stability at the quarterback position.
Body was one of the best quarterbacks in the SWAC last season, earning All-SWAC First Team honors, HBCU National Player of the Year, and The SWAC Offensive Player of the Year for the 2025 season.
Here are his stats from last year:
- 113 of 160 passes completed (70.6 completion percentage)
- 1,770 passing yards
- 20 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 518 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
Retaining Body is a win for the Hornets and Robinson Jr. as Alabama State had one of the best offenses in the SWAC in 2025. Body will look to build off of last season and be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference once again.
Will 2026 be the year for Eddie Robinson Jr + the Hornets?
Robinson Jr. is entering his fifth season as head coach for the Hornets. Since taking over in 2022, Robinson Jr. has revived the program, going 30-16 overall and 21-11 in SWAC play.
Under his leadership, the Hornets produced four consecutive winning seasons, first 10-win season in 21 years, four consecutive Magic City Classic wins, and have kept the Hornets as annual contenders for the SWAC championship.
The Hornets finished second place in the east division in 2023 and 2024, then tied for first place in 2025. Will 2026 finally be the year?
The Hornets have a championship worthy roster, bringing back key players from last year on both sides of the ball. That continuity should give them an edge as they push for a division title in 2026.
The Hornets kick off their 2026 campaign on August 29 against Southern University at Legion Field in Birmingham. Robinson Jr. will be joined by Body and Sims at the SWAC Football Media Days on July 15.
Which Hornet player do you think will have a breakout season? Let us know on Facebook.
