Andrew Body Makes His Announcement
HOUSTON - Andrew Body had finally made his decision. The Texas Southern starting quarterback posted on social media that he will "proceed with a Medical Redshirt this season." Andrew is a junior, and redshirting would allow him to extend his NCAA eligibility for another season beyond his senior season next year.
On Monday, TSU head coach Clarence McKinney told the media at the weekly SWAC Coaches Press Conference that Andrew Body would give an update on his health via social media. HBCU Legends had multiple sources corroborating Body's decision to redshirt this season. Body's future at Texas Southern is cloudy at best. A source close to Body strongly believes that Andrew is focused on returning to Texas Southern, and to be ready for the 2024 Labor Day Classic against Prairie View A&M.
During the offseason, the Corpus Christi native was rehabilitating his throwing shoulder, which was injured in a game against Alabama A&M at the end of the 2022 season. Based on Andrew's decision after visiting with doctors, it appears he may need more time to completely heal his shoulder.
Texas Southern will turn to Jace Wilson as the team's new starting quarterback. Coach McKinney's team lost three straight contests with Wilson as the starter. The Tigers dropped their second SWAC West tilt to Grambling State in Week 4, 35-23. Wilson completed 14 out of 24 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
TSU's Homecoming festivities will include a game against Lincoln (CA) this week. The team will have a bye week before traveling to meet Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Florida. Next will be their biggest challenge of the season as Willie Simmons, Jeremy Moussa, and the Florida A&M Rattlers will make a historic trip to Houston.
Body played in the season-opening 37-34 overtime loss against Prairie View A&M. He completed 18 of 38 attempts for 286 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. At the 2023 SWAC Media Day, Body was named SWAC Preseason 2nd-Team Quarterback by the coaches and sports information directors.
Andrew Body "finished the 2021 season as the TSU single-season record holder in total offense with 265.9 yards per game while finishing second in the SWAC and fourth-all-time in single-season passing at TSU with 2,017 passing yards."