Alabama A&M coach Sam Shade believed his program needed time to take shape.
Through the first eight games of his second season, the Bulldogs are showing what that time can mean.
After finishing 4-8 overall and 1-7 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play in 2025, Alabama A&M has improved to 6-2 and climbed to No. 1 in the latest Division I FCS Black College Football Poll.
The last time the Bulldogs were in this position was when the program captured the 2021 SWAC Championship.
The Bulldogs are now in contention for a spot in the SWAC championship game, a significant change from Shade’s first season in Huntsville.
“I just feel like once you go through an entire recruiting cycle, things have a chance to be better,” Shade said during the MEAC/SWAC Challenge press conference in August.
Shade arrived at Alabama A&M in January 2025, after the early transfer portal window had already begun. That left him and his staff with limited time to address roster needs before his first season.
This offseason, the Bulldogs had more time to pursue players through the transfer portal, junior college ranks and high school recruiting. Shade said the expanded recruiting opportunity allowed the coaching staff to bring in more players it expected to contribute immediately, particularly at linebacker, offensive line and wide receiver.
The results have been evident in the Bulldogs’ production. Alabama A&M averages 40.1 points per game, while its defense allows 20 points per game.
Quarterback Cornelious “Quad” Brown IV has been central to the offensive improvement. After a lower-leg injury limited him to four games in 2025, Brown returned to the lineup and delivered one of his strongest performances in a 61-31 win over Grambling State on Oct. 17. He threw for 417 yards and five touchdowns.
Wide receiver Jaylan Bean has also emerged as a major contributor. After undergoing shoulder surgery and missing spring practice, Bean worked his way into the lineup. Against Grambling State, he caught 10 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
The defense has shown improvement, too, ranking No. 2 in the SWAC. Shade retained defensive coordinator Chris Shelling after last season, opting for continuity rather than making a change following the Bulldogs’ struggles. The staff has also seen young defensive backs develop and Auburn transfer linebacker DJ Barber become a key contributor.
But the turnaround has not been without setbacks. Alabama A&M’s two losses — to Howard and Jackson State — have come by a combined 10 points. Those results have reinforced the importance of finishing games and executing consistently, particularly as the Bulldogs enter the final stretch of the regular season.
The next test comes against rival Alabama State in the Magic City Classic on Oct. 31. The Hornets are also ranked in the latest Black College Football Poll, allowing Alabama A&M to strengthen its position in the rankings and the SWAC East race.
The progress reflects a process that began long before the Bulldogs reached the top of the poll. A fuller recruiting cycle, healthier key players, and greater familiarity with the coaching staff’s expectations have helped put Alabama A&M in a stronger position.
The Bulldogs have already improved their record from a season ago. Now, with a No. 1 ranking and a conference title still within reach, the challenge is to turn that progress into a championship.
