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Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU football coach James Colzie on QB battle: 'We're excited to see who it's going to be.'
Who will be Florida A&M's starting quarterback is one of HBCU football's hottest topics this offseason. For the second consecutive year, the Rattlers will enter preseason training camp with a quarterback competition to determine the starter for their season opener versus Howard in Miami's Orange Blossom Classic on Aug. 30. Whoever wins FAMU's starting quarterback job will succeed two Rattler standouts, Jeremy Moussa (2022-2023) and Daniel Richardson (2024). Both were Southwestern Athletic Conference honorees and HBCU All-Americans. 'Minus being the president of our university, the second most important seat is the quarterback,' said FAMU head coach James Colzie III on Wednesday, July 16, at SWAC Media Day. 'The standard of the quarterback position, especially at Florida A&M, is being an all-conference quarterback.' FAMU football has signed three NCAA Transfer Portal quarterbacks this season. Tyler Jefferson comes from Central Michigan and has starter experience. Jett Peddy was an All-American at the junior college level at Long Beach City College in California. RJ Johnson III is a rising redshirt sophomore from Toledo and hasn't taken his first college snap yet. Colzie said they all will get opportunities to run with the starters during training camp. 'Those three guys, along with Bryson Martin and Traven Green, fill our quarterback room right now. We're giving them every opportunity to see who it's going to be,' the second-year FAMU coach explained. 'We're excited to see who it's going to be. But everyone has done a good job of stepping up.' The Rattlers open their 2025 preseason training camp on Friday, Aug. 1, where the quarterback battle will officially begin. Last year, Colzie announced Richardson as the starting quarterback the week of the season opener. Ideally, the head Rattler wants to name a starter before the week of the Orange Blossom Classic this year. 'I know last year, we made a decision the week of. But you could probably look forward to me making a decision a little sooner than later,' Colzie said. 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 Rattlers football QB battle: 'Standard is to be all-conference.'
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU football 2025 schedule: 5 biggest tests for the Rattlers this season
Florida A&M football will face one of its most challenging schedules in recent years. The Rattlers' 12-game regular season schedule features top HBCU football teams, the defending Black College National Champions, and other heated rivals. The 2025 season kicks off when second-year head coach James Colzie III's Rattlers take on the Howard Bison at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium for the Orange Blossom Classic on Saturday, Aug. 30. If FAMU football prevails in the crucial contests 2025 presents, it could prime the program for a run at the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl this December or even the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Let's look at FAMU's most pivotal games this fall. Week 1: vs. Howard (in Miami), Aug. 30 Week 1's Orange Blossom Classic is a rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl, when FAMU, of the SWAC, defeated the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Howard 30-26 to claim the Black College Football National Championship. However, this year's Rattlers versus Bison matchup is far from its previous HBCU title game meeting. It's a game where Colzie can have his first look at his second FAMU team and his offseason recruiting efforts while playing against one of HBCU's household names. The Rattlers' quarterback battle could be settled in the season opener as FAMU has welcomed a handful of signal callers, such as Tyler Jefferson, RJ Johnson III, Jett Peddy, and others. Week 5: vs Alabama State, Sept. 27 FAMU football opens its SWAC schedule with a Week 5 home duel versus Alabama State. And when the Rattlers and Hornets meet, it's typically a competitive game. Last year, FAMU spoiled Alabama State's homecoming 28-13. FAMU will likely be placed in a late-game situation versus Alabama State, where it will find out how it reacts in a down-to-the-wire situation. The Alabama State defense could also be FAMU's offense's biggest test, as the Hornets generally have one of the best units in the FCS. Week 7: vs North Carolina Central, Oct. 11 Taking a quick break from SWAC play, FAMU will have an HBCU football blueblood and former MEAC foe, North Carolina Central, in town. NCCU has been one of Black College Football's top teams in recent years. The Eagles won the 2023 Celebration Bowl and appeared in the 2024 FCS playoffs. Last season, the NCCU Eagles were one win shy from representing the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl, losing out on the opportunity to South Carolina State. The Rattlers and Eagles haven't met since 2019. FAMU won that game 28-21. And in 2025, after a six-year matchup hiatus, FAMU football has a chance to score a signature victory over one of HBCU's best. And to make the FAMU versus NCCU even spicier, the Rattlers' co-offensive coordinator Cedric Williams and running backs coach Kevin Maurice were previously on the Eagles staff before joining the Rattlers this offseason. Week 9: at Southern, Oct 25 FAMU versus Southern. One of HBCU football's best rivalries. The Rattlers will head to Baton Rouge to battle the Jaguars this time. And FAMU will be fresh off its homecoming game versus Alcorn State the previous week. FAMU defeated Southern 24-6 last season, but the final score didn't dictate how close the game was. In recent FAMU versus Southern games, the Rattlers have scraped by the Jaguars. The last time FAMU traveled to Southern, the Rattlers outlasted the Jaguars 26-19 in a back-and-forth game. Southern is the defending SWAC West division champion. A win for FAMU could mean well for its chase for a SWAC and HBCU title. Week 10: vs Jackson State, Nov. 1 FAMU versus Jackson State can make or break a season. Since joining the SWAC in 2021, the winner of FAMU versus JSU has moved on to represent the SWAC in the Celebration Bowl. The Rattlers are 1-3 versus the Tigers since realigning to the SWAC, most recently losing at the JSU Tigers 35-21 last season. After defeating FAMU in 2024, JSU claimed the SWAC and Black College National Championship. If history is an indicator, FAMU trouncing the defending HBCU champions and brewing rivals could have the Rattlers on track to play in December's SWAC Championship game and Celebration Bowl. 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. Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m. Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m. Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m. Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m. Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m. Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m. Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m. 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 2025 schedule: 5 biggest challenges ahead for Rattlers
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU football's Ashton Grable, TJ Huggins named to 2025 HBCU Player of the Year Watch List
Florida A&M's Ashton Grable and TJ Huggins are expected to be among the best HBCU football players during the 2025 season. The Rattler duo is of 20 named to Stats Perform's HBCU National Player of the Year Watch List, given to the top player of Black College football on the NCAA Division I level. Grable, an offensive lineman, anchors FAMU's frontline as he helped the Rattlers have the third-best offense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder from Gordon, Georgia, has also been named a Preseason All-SWAC First Teamer, FCS All-American Third Team, and a 2025 Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List member entering his redshirt senior year. Huggins, a cornerback, earned the preseason HBCU Player of the Year nomination after leading FAMU with three interceptions last year. Huggins also made the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. The Miami native will be a redshirt senior this year, too. FAMU football will open its 2025 season on Aug. 30 in the Orange Blossom Classic versus Howard at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Training camp begins on Friday, Aug. 1. The Rattlers return from having a 7-5 record last season. 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's OL Ashton Grable, CB TJ Huggins on HBCU POTY watch list
