FAMU football formulating plan to return to 'championship level' at SWAC Media Day
The Rattlers have gone from the hunted to the hunter.
A year ago, around this time, the Rattlers had a target on their back after finishing the previous season by winning the Celebration Bowl to claim the Black College Football National Championship.
In turn, FAMU went 7-5 under first-year head football coach James Colzie III in the 2024 season.
'The lights were bright last year,' the FAMU coach told the media at Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Media Day. 'We've got work to do. It is a new season. I'm excited about what our team's going to look like.'
The SWAC predicted the Rattlers would finish second in the East division behind the defending Black College National champs, Jackson State. If the prognostication holds up, FAMU will not qualify for the SWAC Championship game or the Celebration Bowl, part of the HBCU football postseason.
The Rattlers would still be eligible for an at-large bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
'We're just trying to get back to a championship level,' said FAMU All-SWAC offensive lineman Ashton Grable, a 2023 Celebration Bowl team starter. 'We've got to buy into what our coaches are trying to teach us and get back to winning.
'It doesn't matter,' Grable added about the ranking. 'We're going to go out there, work hard every day, be respectful, honor our opponents, and play hard. That's all we can do.'
Entering his second year as FAMU's football coach, Colzie feels comfortable with his team's offseason progression.
FAMU football has undergone spring practice and offseason workouts with a complete coaching staff, unlike last year, due to Colzie's late January 2024 promotion from being the program's assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach.
'January 1 of 2024, compared to January 1 of 2025 ― the vision was clear. We knew what we needed to do, and there were things we needed to and could address,' Colzie explained.
'There's a different aura right now as far as where our football team is, where our staff is, and where I am as the head coach of this prestigious institution. We're going in the right direction. Our Rattler fanbase and alumni's expectations are what their expectations are.'
FAMU football faces a tough schedule in 2025
The Rattlers open their season against the Howard Bison in Miami Gardens' Orange Blossom Classic on Aug. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium. It's a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl when FAMU completed a comeback to defeat Howard 30-26 en route to raising the Black College Football title trophy.
FAMU faces a challenging schedule that includes top Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team North Carolina Central and HBCU football's top team from last season, Jackson State.
'We didn't shy away from who we wanted to play,' Colzie said. 'We're excited about our schedule. We'll be battle-tested. Every week, we're going to be on national television somewhere.'
Another wrinkle in FAMU's schedule is that after its first three games versus Howard, at Florida Atlantic, and versus Albany State, the Rattlers will play nine straight contests to complete the regular season.
'It's going to take hard work. You get out what you put in,' said FAMU's Preseason All-SWAC First Team defensive end Davion Westmoreland. 'If we continue to trust the process and get one percent every day, we'll get the results and outcome that we want.'
FAMU will open preseason training camp on Friday, Aug. 1, to prepare for its 2025 season.
There are high expectations for the Rattlers to bounce back this season.
'I want to make sure we go through a vigorous training camp,' Colzie said. 'But at the end of day, we've got to be ready to play on Saturdays. That's what everything's going to be based upon.'
Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule
Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU
Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus
Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 7 p.m., SWAC TV
Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK
Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m., SWAC TV
Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m., ESPN Plus
Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC), 5 p.m. SWAC TV
Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m., ESPN Network
Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium)
Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary)
Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary)
Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary)
Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville's FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary)This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football SWAC Media Day 2025: Rattlers want to reclaim HBCU title
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