FAMU football offseason: 3 things the Rattlers must address before 2025 kicks off

Posted by Admin December 26, 2024 Football

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Florida A&M football has some time to reflect and refine its future after finishing 7-5 during the 2024 season. Here’s what the Rattlers must do this offseason before 2025 kicks off.

The offseason is a time for teams to take a step back, reflect, and reassess.

Florida A&M football is doing the same.

After a 7-5 season, some key losses, and needed improvements, the Rattlers have must-dos on their checklist.

Here are three things FAMU football needs to handle before the 2025 season kicks off next fall.

FAMU football must settle who will start at quarterback in 2025

Are we in for another quarterback battle?

Or does FAMU football feel it already has the guy to lead the offense for the 2025 season?

The Rattlers’ 2024 quarterback, Daniel Richardson, graduated after playing one season for FAMU and winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Newcomer of the Year award.

FAMU has addressed its quarterback needs by landing a commitment from Central Michigan quarterback Tyler Jefferson through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Jefferson, a former three-star recruit, completed 27 of 58 passes (47 percent) for 286 yards, an interception, and was sacked nine times in 2024. Jefferson also rushed 43 times for 233 yards and a touchdown.

The Rattlers also return Junior Muratovic, who competed for FAMU’s starting quarterback position last season. Muratovic, who has two career starts, has completed 53 of 104 passes (51 percent) for 500 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions.

After a down year, FAMU football must reassess coaching staff

Who will remain on FAMU’s coaching staff for 2025?

FAMU head coach James Colzie III said changes are coming, especially on offense.

Colzie said there will be an offensive promotion. Signs point to quarterbacks coach Henry Burris being FAMU’s new offensive coordinator to replace Joseph Henry. Burris called plays in the Rattlers’ final two games, which resulted in wins over Bethune-Cookman (41-38) and Alabama A&M (28-20).

FAMU will make slight modifications to the defense, Colzie says. And there will be a “special teams opportunity” filled too.

FAMU football needs player personnel to solve defensive woes

That wasn’t FAMU’s characteristic ‘Dark Cloud Defense’ on the field in 2024.

After having the nation’s second-best defense in 2023, the Rattlers finished 50th in the Football Championship Subdivision.

FAMU struggled to stop the run. The Rattlers also got beat on deep passes, especially towards the season’s end.

FAMU football is losing some key players who were All-SWAC selections, such as defensive tackle James Ash and cornerback Kendall Bohler.

However, the Rattlers’ primary focus for recruiting is to bolster the trenches, which has led to commitments by transfer defensive linemen Xavier Perkins from Florida State and DJ Jones from Virginia.

FAMU also has some key contributors on the defense who can assist run-stopping ability returning, such as defensive linemen Davion Westmoreland and James Gardner Jr. and linebacker Nay’Ron Jenkins.

In the secondary, the Rattlers have landed commitments from transfers Daylyn Ditson from East Carolina, TeQuan Latimore from Charlotte, and Dion Villiers from Tennessee State.

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.