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2023 Rattlers Ready To Strike The SWAC

Kelvin Rosier • Jul 19, 2023

 2023 FAMU Football Analysis and Projections
By Kelvin Rosier

Head coach Willie Simmons will look to lead Florida A&M to it's first 10-win season under his leadership after three consecutive 9-win seasons.

Snake Bites of the 2022 football team…..

The FAMU 2022 offense averaged 25.5 points per game and 353 yards per game which was 5th and 6th respectively in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Strike Force offense finished 2nd in the SWAC in Red Zone offense and second in 1st and 3rd down conversions. 


 The defense surrendered 22.9 points a game and 317.60 yards a game which was 4th and 3rd in the SWAC. The Dark Cloud defense was in the top four of the SWAC in passing, rushing, sacks, scoring and total  defense and 5th in Red Zone defense. 


The 2022 Rattlers also averaged 70.45 penalties yards per game which was one of the stated areas of opportunity for improvement communicated by head coach Willie (Shotgun) Simmons going into the start of the 2022 season.


The FAMU Rattlers had arguably the best duo of specialists in the FCS with with two senior All American grad performers in placekicker Jose Romo-Martinez (17-22 FG, 30/31 PAT, 1st in makes, 3rd and 4th in the SWAC respectively) and punter Chris Faddoul (42.8 AVG 1st, 7th in net avg). The kickoff coverage finished in 1st place in the SWAC with a 44.10 net average. Special teams play in the return game was sub par as the Rattlers finished 11th in kickoff returns (16.6 ypr)  and 7th in punt returns (6.3 ypr). 

2023 version of Rattler Football

THE OFFENSE


Everything offensively will ultimately flow through second team All SWAC QB Jeremy Moussa (6 '3, 225) who completed 226 passes for 2732 yards and 21 TDs. The grad transfer signal caller from Vanderbilt completed 57.36% of his passes for a 248.36 average yards per game in his first season with the program.


Any hopes of an undefeated season and FAMU’s first Celebration Bowl appearance hinges on Jeremy improving his completion percentage to the mid sixty percent range and increasing the passing offense yards per game average to 300. The two stats are attached at the hip and Moussa is going into his second season in the program with experience and continuity within the offensive play caller and position coach in Willie Simmons.


The Rattlers also return young guns RS So. Jacory Jordan (6 '4, 195), RS So. Junior Muratovic (6' 3, 215) and RS Jr. Trey Fisher (5 '11, 180). They also added Western Kentucky transfer and FAMU legacy RS So. DJ Boney (6’3, 210) to the mix. It is paramount that development of the QB room shows  growth and this group pushes Moussa as a starter.


A clear number two guy needs to emerge.  Jordan, Boney and Muratovic, who is  returning after missing last season, have the acumen and talent to take that next step. All three quarterbacks showed flashes in the team’s Spring game.  FAMU lost veterans Resean McKay (grad) and Cameron Sapp (transfer portal).

The Rattlers return 17 offensive lineman off last year's SWAC East runner up squad led by lettermen Jr. TJ Lee (6 '3, 315), So.TJ Demas (6' 2,290), Gr. Cameron Covin (6’4, 285) and ALL SWAC 1st team Gr. Jalen Goss (6’7, 285). 


There are high expectations for returning starter RS Jr. Cesar Reyes (6 '5, 315) who was injured for the season in the opening game lost to UNC. The Rattlers also have added size and depth to this group with the signing of Jacksonville State transfer RS So. Ashton Grable (6’4, 315) and LSU 5 star transfer Jr. Kardell Thomas (6 '3, 350) The lone loss off of last year’s squad is Gr. Bryan Crawford. 


This group was young and experienced growing pains while learning as first time starters playing together last season. A bright spot was they finished 2nd best in the SWAC in protecting the QB from sacks.  They are now experienced in the system, healthy and have depth. The offensive line will have the greatest impact on how successful and explosive this FAMU offense will be. 

The 2022 Ratter running back room lacked explosiveness and the ability to make defenders miss in open field opportunities. This resulted in the Rattlers finishing in last place of the SWAC in rushing averaging less than 100 yards per game  and only 3 yards per carry. 


The Rattlers lose two of their top three rushers in Jaylen McCloud (34.64 AVG/G) and AJ Davis (32.75 AVG/G). The lone seasoned veteran returner is senior RB Terrell Jennings (6’1, 225) (30.80 AVG/G). 


Head Coach Willie Simmons has repeatedly emphasized during the spring and summer his desire to commit to the running game that finished at the bottom of the SWAC standings last season. This is the unit that will have the greatest opportunity for newcomers to contribute. Coach Simmons has bought in several high profile transfers to diversify the skill sets and experience of this room. 


Leading the charge of anticipated contributors is mammoth Nebraska running back transfer RS Jr. Jaquez Yant (6 '2, 235), RS Sr. Lelan Wilhote (5' 11,195) and Gr. FAU transfer Kelvin Dean (6 '0, 200). 


Expectations are high for this group collectively as they are more experienced, more diverse and potentially more dynamic. If the offensive line play is improved in the run game, then this group will be the X factor in the resurgence of the Rattler offensive improvement in 2023.

The number one  option of QB Jeremy Moussa, WR Xavier Smith (87 receptions for 1021 yards) is on the NFL LA Rams roster. However, the Rattlers wide receiver and tight end group returns a plethora of experience and depth. 


Core returners include seniors/grads WR Jah’Mare Sheread (5’7, 175) (45 rec, 585 yds, 3 TDs), WR David Manigo (6’3, 190) (23 rec, 368 yds, WR Darian Oxendine (5’10, 170)  (18 rec, 194 yds), RS Sr. TE Kamari Young (6 '4, 245)  (14 rec,181 yds) and WR/TE Jeremiah Pruitte (6' 5, 230) (12 rec, 103 yds, 3 TDs). 


The Rattlers also expect major contributions from redshirts and transfers Jr. Jamari Gassett (5’10, 170), Gr. Marquez Phillips (6’3, 185), So. Kareem Burke (6’0, 178), RS Sr. Trevonte Davis (6’1, 205), Gr. Nick Dixon (6’2, 210), RS Sr. Chris Sanders, II (5’11, 185), RS Sr. TE Kolby Gross (6’2, 238) RS Fr. Quan Lee (6 '0, 175 UCF) and RS So. Chris Reed (6’0, 185, Utah). 


This is the deepest and most talented position group on the 2023 FAMU football team. They are senior laden and are expected to be among the team leaders. There’s a diverse mix of size, speed and explosiveness within the group. .RAC boys 2.0 is loaded and the success of this group will determine how they collectively fill the void left by do everything slot man, WR Xavier Smith. Two areas of particular focus are touchdown production particularly in the red zone and 3rd down conversion rates. 

The Defense


The 2022 edition of the Dark Cloud defense was undoubtedly the straw that stirred the drink for the 9-2 SWAC East runner up last season. 


The Rattlers held opponents to 22.36 points, 318 ypg, 10 ints and 35 sacks.They were led by veterans like defending FCS defensive player of the year Isiah Land and ball hawk senior BJ Bohler blended with elite talent newcomers like Isiah Major and Kamari Stephens. Bohler and Land, both mainstays over the past couple of years, are chasing pro aspirations. Isaiah Major and  Kamari Stephens will now emerge as the leaders. All-SWAC performer Kamari Stephens is currently in the transfer portal at the time of this post and could be a significant loss if he leaves, and a distraction if he stays.


The defensive line is filled with proven talent like RS Jr.  DL Gentle Hunt (5’11, 290) , RS Sr. DL Dre Jones (6’4, 277), Gr. DL Stanley Mentor (6’2, 320), RS So. DL Anthony Dunn, (6' 4, 250)  along with RS Sr. and 1st team SWAC Kamari Stephens (6' 3, 270). 


The Rattler also brought in some experienced pass rushers to fill the void of current Dallas Cowboy Isiah Land. RS Jr. DL Cheriff Seye (6’5, 250 SE LA) and Tyrese Gibson-Battles (6’4, 235, Garden City CC) displayed talent during the Spring season.

The linebacker core is mostly intact and the unit is anchored by All SWAC performer Sr. Isaiah Major (6’1, 225), So. Michael Watson (6’2, 220) and Jr. John Chaney, Jr. (6’2, 230). There’s also depth in Sr. Aric Horne (6’1, 223), RS Sr. Jordan Moore, (6 '0, 215), as well as new edition RS Jr. Allen Smith (6’2, 225, Louisville). These dawgs go hunt and collectively are the most talented group that DC and position coach Ryan “Smitty Rock” Smith has had in his tenure at FAMU.

The final group is the largest and deepest group on the defensive side of the ball. Much like their offensive competitors on the offensive side of the ball the Rattlers have talent, skills and depth in spades in the defensive backfield.


This unit is led by ball hawking and All SWAC safety RS Sr. Javan Morgan (5’11, 185), Sr. Lovie Jenkins (6’1, 195) RS Jr. Kendall Bohler (6 '0, 193) RS So. Winsome Frazier (6’3, 185) and Gr. Eric Smith (5’10, 177). Others anticipated to make contributions include transfers Robert Glanton (5 '11, 195, Wake Forest) Ah’Mare Lee (6' 0, 200, UCF), RS Jr. Jalen Glaze (5’10, 190, Minnesota), Jr. Deco Wilson (6’1, 205 Jacksonville State) along with returners RS Sr. Kym’Mani King (5 '10, 175), and So. Zaire Riley (5’6, 160).

The Special Teams


The Rattlers will have a new battery of specialists this year for the 1st time in a couple of years. With the departure of two All Americans in Chris Fadoul and Jose Romo-Martinez this will be an unknown performance entity. 


Trey Wilhoite is a Tallahassee native and transfer All American punter from Eastern Illinois who is expected to continue the long line of superstar kickers in Rattler history. Sheread will likely assume the lion's share of return duties. 


Prior to his depature to Kansas State in late June, special teams coordinator Chili Davis hit the recruiting trial aggressively signing multiple long snappers, kickers and punters. 


Field position could be a disadvantage for the Rattlers if dependable returners, snappers and kickers struggle.This is the biggest area of concern for the 2023 edition of the FAMU Football team.

Prognostication and Projections

The Good……….


This Rattler team is across the board experienced, deep, athletic and hungry having fallen short of a conference title over the last 4 years. They have depth. They have the talent. They have the potential.


The Bad………..


Potential will get you beat. The Rattlers must replace their entire All SWAC kicking specialists. They also must replace two All SWAC performers Xavier Smith along with defensive leader and mainstay Isiah Land. There’s inexperience and unproven talent at QB if Jeremy Moussa becomes unavailable for any length of time.


The Ugly………..


The Rattlers finished dead last in the SWAC in rushing last season. It is Celebration or bust for this year's squad as the schedule has two non D1 opponents on it which would make an At Large NCAA bid almost impossible.


Predictions…………..


The floor is 8-3 and the ceiling is 13-0. The Dark Cloud defense will be the strength of the team and will probably carry the weight early. They have no weaknesses and they will be competing against their own standards game to game. The coaches all have expressed their dominance and it was reflected in their performance at the school’s Spring Football game. The offensive execution of the run game and QB composure and accuracy in the Red Zone and under duress will determine if it’s the floor or the ceiling for the Rattlers.


My prediction is 12-1 with the lone loss to USF of less than ten points and a SWAC, Celebration Bowl and Black College Football Championship! You must ALWAYS remember that the Rattlers will Strike and Strike and STRIKE AGAIN!


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