Florida A&M vs. Alabama State: QB Battle Meets Andrew Body’s HBCU Takeover
The 2025 SWAC football season wastes no time delivering drama. One of the most anticipated matchups of September pits the Florida A&M Rattlers against the Alabama State Hornets, a clash that highlights a Rattler quarterback competition and showcases one of the hottest players in all of HBCU football: Andrew Body.
Florida A&M: Searching for QB Stability
The Rattlers entered the season with a wide-open quarterback room. Head coach James Colzie III has been tasked with sorting through a deep pool that included RJ Johnson III, Jett Peddy, and Tyler Jefferson.
By Week 2, Johnson had separated himself as the starter. The Toledo transfer has been sharp, throwing for 227 yards against Florida Atlantic, followed by a 272-yard, 2-TD effort in a win over Albany State (FAMU Athletics, ASU Golden Rams).
Johnson’s poise has been promising, but the door hasn’t fully closed on competition. Backup Peddy remains in the mix, and Colzie has said publicly that whoever protects the football and moves the chains consistently will keep the job (Tallahassee Democrat).
That means every throw matters, and Alabama State’s defense will provide the toughest test yet.
Andrew Body: The HBCU Breakout Star
On the opposite sideline, Alabama State’s Andrew Body has taken the HBCU football world by storm.
The redshirt junior has shrugged off injury setbacks from 2024 and looks like the player many expected when he transferred into the SWAC. His early-season stat line is dazzling:
- 73.8% completion percentage
- 761 passing yards, 10 TDs, 0 INT through three games
- 195 rushing yards on just 30 carries (ESPN, Sports Illustrated)
His Week 1 masterpiece vs. UAB — 312 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, and 119 rushing yards — was the kind of performance that elevates a player into national conversation. He’s now viewed as an early candidate for SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and a potential Black College Football Player of the Year Award finalist.
For Florida A&M, slowing Body down isn’t just about disrupting the pass — it’s about containing his legs, which have repeatedly broken defenses when plays collapse.
Key Matchups to Watch
| Battle | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| RJ Johnson vs. ASU Secondary | Johnson has been efficient but hasn’t faced a defense this aggressive. If he can stretch the field and avoid turnovers, FAMU has a real shot. |
| Andrew Body vs. FAMU Front Seven | The Rattlers must keep him in the pocket. If Body finds rushing lanes, ASU’s offense becomes nearly impossible to contain. |
| Big-Play Receivers | Alabama State’s receivers, led by Jalen Jones, thrive on Body’s precision. FAMU counters with a talented WR corps (Jordan Edwards, Kenari Wilcher) that can flip field position instantly. |
| Turnovers | In a game this evenly matched, one interception or strip sack could decide momentum. |
| Coaching Adjustments | James Colzie’s staff is still learning what works best with Johnson. Alabama State’s coaching staff has been leaning into Body’s dual-threat skillset. Whoever adapts faster in the second half likely walks away with a win. |
Prediction
On paper, Alabama State enters with the hotter hand thanks to Body’s electric start. Florida A&M has home-field advantage and a tradition of rising to the moment in conference play, but the Rattlers are still ironing out consistency at quarterback.
If Johnson plays clean and FAMU controls tempo, this game goes down to the wire. But right now, Andrew Body feels like the difference-maker.
Prediction: Alabama State 31, Florida A&M 27
Why This Game Matters
- For FAMU: It’s about proving that the QB situation is not a weakness, but a weapon, and re-establishing themselves as a SWAC contender.
- For ASU: It’s about solidifying Body’s case as the best player in the league and planting themselves in the championship conversation.
No matter the outcome, fans can expect fireworks — and another reminder that SWAC football is must-watch every Saturday.
