Alabama State Hornets Football: Roster Overview and Future Prospects

The Alabama State Hornets are gearing up for the upcoming football season with a roster that reflects a strategic blend of homegrown talent and impactful transfer portal acquisitions. Head Coach Eddie Robinson Jr., now entering his third year, has focused on building a program rooted in Alabama high school football while also leveraging the transfer portal to enhance the team's capabilities. This article delves into the composition of the 2025 roster, examining key position groups, transfer additions, and the overall outlook for the program.

The Foundation: Alabama Roots

Alabama remains central to the program’s identity. Over 30 players on the roster hail from within state lines, including key hubs like Birmingham (8), Mobile (5), Pike Road (3), and Prattville (2). This emphasis on in-state talent underscores the program's commitment to local communities and provides a solid base for sustained success.

Transfer Portal Strategy

The Hornets have strategically utilized the transfer portal to address specific needs and add experience to the roster. The team has added a number of proven veterans from both Power Five and HBCU programs. In addition to players from four-year institutions, the Hornets have also tapped into the junior college ranks, adding three transfers from schools like East Central CC and Northwest Miss.

On January 14, Alabama State announced the signing of 12 transfers:

Quarterback: Landon Vessel (Cisco College)
Running Back: Jareese Howard (Lincoln University), TJ Ramsey (Aurora University)
Wide Receiver: Israel Tate (Lincoln University)
Tight End: Jordan Brown (Kilgore College)
Offensive Line: Mehkhi Blue (Rio Grande Valley)
Defensive Line: Dylan Horne (Tusculum University)
Linebacker: Mitchell Robinson Jr. (Robert Morris University), Rashad Watson (Tusculum University)
Cornerback: Zach Williams (Arkansas Pine-Bluff), Trent Henry (Troy University)
Safety: Jace McDonald (Minot State University)

Zach Williams, a former defensive back from Arkansas Pine-Bluff, committed to Alabama State on January 6. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defensive back recorded 25 tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup in 11 games in 2025.

Key Position Groups

Quarterback Depth and Decisions

ASU lists five quarterbacks, including Andrew Body, a proven dual-threat from Texas Southern. Body was named the HBCU National Player of the Year despite missing the final four games of the 2025 season due to a shoulder injury. In the 2025 season, Body posted 1,770 passing yards with 20 passing touchdowns and a 203.6 efficiency rating. He also rushed for 518 yards and four touchdowns. However, Body entered the transfer portal on December 16, drawing interest from Power Four schools like Penn State, Vanderbilt, and UCF.

Landon Vessel from Cisco College was signed by the Hornets through the transfer portal to bolster the quarterback position.

Wide Receiver Arsenal

Robinson has surrounded his QBs with length and talent. However, the Hornets will be without one of its perimeter receivers for the 2026 with Dylan Djete declaring for the NFL and CFL drafts. Djete hauled in 30 receptions for 463 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in the 2025 season for Alabama State.

Jalen Jones, who earned All-American honors in 2025 after hauling in 1,167 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 22.9 YPC, committed to Texas Tech shortly after entering the transfer portal on January 2. Asa Gregg caught 18 passes in 2025 for 253 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns during the 2025 season but announced his commitment to Mercer via social media on January 7.

Israel Tate from Lincoln University was signed by the Hornets through the transfer portal to bolster the wide receiver position.

Read also: Looking at Alabama's Schedule

Strength Up Front

With eight offensive linemen over 310 pounds, Alabama State is clearly prioritizing trench dominance. Mehkhi Blue from Rio Grande Valley was signed by the Hornets through the transfer portal to bolster the offensive line.

Running Back

Marcus Harris II was a scoring machine for Alabama State during the 2025 season, grabbing 15 rushing touchdowns to accompany 430 rushing yards-good for third best on the team. However, Harris II committed to Tennessee Tech on January 8. Jareese Howard from Lincoln University and TJ Ramsey from Aurora University were signed by the Hornets through the transfer portal to bolster the running back position.

HBCU-to-HBCU Pipeline

The Hornets are an example of inter-HBCU mobility thriving under the transfer portal. Zach Williams from Arkansas Pine-Bluff was signed by the Hornets through the transfer portal to bolster the cornerback position.

2025 Season Recap

The expectations in 2026 will be lofty for Eddie Robinson Jr. after Alabama State football is coming off its best season under the fourth-year head coach. The Hornets finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 10-2, and 7-1 in the SWAC. Despite having its best season since 2004, Alabama State did not compete for the SWAC title because it found itself on the wrong end of a tiebreaker with division rival Jackson State. Alabama State had one of the best offenses in both the SWAC and the FCS - ranking either first or second in every category in the SWAC, and finishing top 10 in eight categories in the FCS.

Transfer Portal Departures

The transfer portal opened Jan. 2 and 19 Alabama State football players are currently in the portal. Of the 18 in the transfer portal, 12 are offensive players. The departures of Body and Jones dominate the headlines, but quality players like running backs Jamarie Hostzclaw and Marcus Harris II leave voids in a dominant offense. Marcus Harris II committed to Tennessee Tech on January 8. Asa Gregg announced his commitment to Mercer via social media on January 7. Jalen Jones committed to Texas Tech shortly after entering the transfer portal on January 2.

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