When asked if Aaron Frye has met Eddie Robinson Jr.’s expectations in his first season at Alabama State football, Robinson chuckled because Frye wasn’t even supposed to play this season.
Andrew Body and Te’Sean Smoot were ahead of the true freshman on the depth chart. But Smoot received a shoulder injury during fall camp that knocked him out for the season, and Body suffered an injury to his non-throwing wrist in Alabama State‘s third game of the season that’s kept him out since.
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Robinson said Body was cleared to play Wednesday, Nov. 11 ahead of Alabama State’s matchup with Jackson State. But that didn’t necessarily mean that he’s going to be starter against the Tigers.
“I would definitely want to get Andrew involved to some extent,” Robinson said. “But I think from where Frye’s been playing and the things he’s been doing, I think more or less this is Frye’s team and he’s running it.”
Frye was named the FCS Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week, along with the SWAC Newcomer of the Week after his performance in Alabama State’s win over Texas Southern on Nov. 7. Frye accounted for 368 total yards of offense and three touchdowns.
Frye has started in six games for the Hornets since Body’s wrist injury, and has gone 3-3 in those starts. But it’s important to note that in those three loses, the freshman has never been beaten by more than six points.
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“I think he’s right there at being a really good quarterback. Being one of the best in the conference and in the FCS. The sky’s the limit,” Robinson said.
For the 2026 season, Frye has gone 75-for-114 passing (65.7%) with 867 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also rushed 75 times for 436 yards (5.8 YPC) and three touchdowns.
Robinson acknowledged that, even injured, Body has provided leadership and advice to Frye that no one else could have.
Body may get some playing time against Jackson State, Robinson said it depended on what he looks like in practice on Thursday and Friday. But no matter what, it sounds like it’s Frye’s offense for the remainder of the 2026 season.
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Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Aaron Frye has taken over at QB for Alabama State. Where does that leave Andrew Body?
