SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
As Alabama A&M prepares for the upcoming football season, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Bulldogs’ program remains unanswered—who will lead the team at quarterback?
Head coach Sam Shade, entering his second year, is focused on building momentum after a 4-8 finish in 2025. However, the starting quarterback position is still undecided as the team works through spring practice.
A major factor in the decision is the status of last season’s starter, Quad Brown, who is currently seeking an NCAA waiver for eligibility in the 2026 season. Brown’s season was cut short due to injury after playing in just four games, where he completed 81 of 125 passes for 1,080 yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception.
“He’s going through the process of getting a waiver,” Shade said. “We haven’t gotten that back yet, so we don’t know if he’s going to get a medical redshirt.”
While the team awaits that decision, several players are stepping up to compete for the role. Returner Eric Handley, Penn State transfer Bekkem Kritza, and junior college transfer Mac Armstrong have all taken snaps with the first-team offense.
Shade acknowledged that Brown would likely reclaim the starting position if cleared but emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
“Obviously, if Quad was cleared, he’d be in that Number One spot,” Shade said. “But right now, we don’t know, so we have to wait and see.”
With talent in the quarterback room and decisions still pending, Alabama A&M’s competition remains open—and full of possibility.