FAMU football's Thad Franklin Jr. named top SWAC running back in preseason honors
Headlining the Rattlers on the offensive first team is running back Thad Franklin Jr. The grad student's nod comes after he rushed 120 times for 653 yards and five touchdowns during the 2024 season.
Franklin's top game last season was his record-breaking Florida Classic performance when he had 26 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns in FAMU's 41-38 victory over rivals Bethune-Cookman.
Also on the Preseason All-SWAC First Team is a pair of FAMU offensive linemen Ashton Grable and Charles Davis. Grable was an NCAA All-HBCU selection and All-SWAC First Teamer last year. Davis also picked up All-SWAC First Team honors in 2024.
Defensively for the Rattlers, defensive end Davion Westmoreland, who led FAMU with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, is on the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. He's joined by FAMU's returning lead tackler, linebacker Nay'Ron Jenkins, and cornerback TJ Huggins, who had a team-high three interceptions a season ago.
FAMU defensive lineman James Gardner Jr. and defensive back Jameel Sanders made the SWAC's preseason second team.
FAMU football will be at SWAC Media Day in Birmingham on Wednesday, July 16. Second-year head coach James Colzie III, Grable, and Westmoreland will represent the program.
The Rattlers' 2025 season begins in the Orange Blossom Classic as they face the Howard Bison on Aug. 30 at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium.
SWAC Preseason Honors
Offensive Player of the Year: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State
Defensive Player of the Year: Ckelby Givens, Southern
All-SWAC First Team Offense
Quarterback: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State
Running Back: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State
Running Back: Thad Franklin Jr., Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: D'Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State
Offensive Lineman: Charles Davis, Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: Ronald Brown, Alcorn State
Offensive Lineman: Desmond Daniels, Alabama State
Wide Receiver: Nate Rembert, Jackson State
Wide Receiver: Joanes Fortilien, Jackson State
Tight End: Marvin Landy, Jackson State
All-SWAC First Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern
Defensive Lineman: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State
Defensive Lineman: Bryce Cage, Grambling State
Defensive Lineman: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M
Linebacker: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State
Linebacker: Vincent Paige Jr., Southern
Linebacker: Nay'Ron Jenkins, Florida A&M
Defensive Back: Keane Lewis, Alabama State
Defensive Back: Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
Defensive Back: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M
Defensive Back: Horacio Johnson, Southern
All-SWAC First Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State
Punter: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State
Return Specialist: Travis Terrell Jr., Jackson State
All-SWAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Cam Ransom, Bethune-Cookman
Running Back: Lamagea McDowell, Prairie View A&M
Running Back: BJ Curry, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Offensive Lineman: Quaveon Davis, Jackson State
Offensive Lineman: Cameron Smith, Alabama State
Offensive Lineman: Tahj Martin, Grambling State
Offensive Lineman: Dezmond Penn, Alabama State
Offensive Lineman: Tyrell Lawrence, Alabama A&M
Wide Receiver: Maleek Huggins, Bethune-Cookman
Wide Receiver: Trenton Leary, Texas Southern
Tight End: Dupree Fuller, Southern
All-SWAC Second Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Damarcus Thompson, Texas Southern
Defensive Lineman: Adrian Hall, Bethune-Cookman
Defensive Lineman: James Gardner Jr., Florida A&M
Defensive Lineman: Nick Glenn, Alabama A&M
Linebacker: Reid Pulliam, Jackson State
Linebacker: Ashton Taylor, Jackson State
Linebacker: Malik Stinnett, Bethune-Cookman
Defensive Back: Shamar Hawkins, Jackson State
Defensive Back: Blake Davis, Grambling State
Defensive Back: Herman Brister III, Southern
Defensive Back: Jameel Sanders, Florida A&M
All-SWAC Second Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Trey Glymph, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Punter: Jeremy Ramirez, Texas Southern
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football RB Thad Franklin, 7 others named to SWAC preseason team
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