There was a lot of excitement surrounding the debut of Alabama State University football transfer quarterback Andrew Boddy in Saturday's Black and Gold Spring Game. After the sudden departure of former starter Dematrius Davis, all eyes were on No. 1.
In the first series of the game, Bodie led the offense on the field and finished with the rushing score. On the next play, he fired a 70-yard bomb for the game's only passing touchdown and once again joined Hornet Nation. He completed four of seven passes and showed off his dual-threat ability to extend the play with his legs.
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“I felt really comfortable outside,” Boddy said. “One thing I can say is don't get too comfortable. There are some things I can work on and get better at. So I'll work on that until the season comes. When the time comes. Hornets fans will appreciate the complete product. ”
It's a new year for Alabama State football, with the duo of Bodie and offensive coordinator Chris Barnett bringing a new identity to the Hornets offense. Here's how Alabama State landed its quarterback of the future and the adjustment from Texas.
Why Alabama?
Bodie spent three seasons at Texas Southern, redshirting his final year in the 2023 season. He had 27 passing touchdowns and 236 rushes for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns during his career at TSU. After dealing with a shoulder injury in his final season, Boddy entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Alabama State is coming off its best season since 2013, and head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. has decided to bring in a new coaching staff. Acquiring a new quarterback was key to the Hornets' offseason plan as they envisioned a new vision for the team.
Boddy was scouted by several schools, but said he believed in the plan Robinson Jr. had in place for him. He said his relationship with the coach during the recruiting process that led to his appointment in January was genuine and authentic.
“I had several choices, but I feel like God works in mysterious ways,” Boddy said. “It just so happened that schools started moving away from me or pulling out of me. Coach Robinson was the real deal from the first time we talked. He was ultimately one of my last choices. I trusted him and ran with him.”
At the end of the spring game, Robinson Jr. was impressed with Boddy's debut.
“Body came here and played well,” Robinson Jr. said. “He's a guy who's good at running and throwing the football. You could see his whole skill set as a two-way player and he could throw into deep balls as well. That was a good thing.”
Adjustments and expectations
Boddy, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is the third-most passing player in Texas high school football history with 13,000 yards. In 2021, he finished the season as Texas South's single-season record holder in total offense with 265.9 yards per game and was fourth all-time at TSU with 2,017 passing yards.
When discussing the move from Texas to Alabama, Boddy said it has changed a lot. But the soccer aspect never changes.
“A lot has changed here,” Boddy said. “The truth is, the change for me has happened on the school side. I come to soccer to learn what I have to learn and to compete.”
Boddy, who has had a long history of success in football at the collegiate and prep levels, wants to come here and win. The spring game provided a glimpse of what Boddy Under Center's future offense will look like.
He wants fans to know they can expect a lot of wins this fall.
“They can expect some wins,” Boddy said. “I come in with a winning mentality, just like any offensive coordinator. All we want to do is win. So what we have to do to accomplish that is Well, we do that.”
Jerry Humphrey III is a sports writer for the Montgomery Advertiser, covering area high school sports, Auburn recruiting and Alabama State athletics. Follow him on Twitter @jerryhump3.
