James Colzie III’s new job as Florida A&M’s head football coach has tasked him with navigating some of the new realities of college sports.

Since ending last season with the program’s first Celebration Bowl trophy, followed by a coaching change, the Rattlers have lost many key players to the NCAA Transfer Portal.

The transfer portal is an avenue for NCAA athletes who have opted to find a new home. Transfer players get immediate eligibility to compete for their new teams.

All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performers defensive lineman Gentle Hunt, linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr., and defensive back Lovie Jenkins are in the portal.

Other portal entries include players who were projected to be integral to FAMU’s continued success this season. Wide receiver Kareem Burke, offensive lineman Kardell Thomas, defensive linemen Cherif Seye, Allen Smith Jr., and Deco Wilson intend to transfer.

“The biggest thing from our guys has been their communication,” Colzie said. “That’s just the nature of football. Bronny James is in the transfer portal. How unhappy could he be?

“Obviously, we wish those guys well.”

Colzie knows the magnitude of his team losing that talent to the ever-growing transfer portal.

The first-year FAMU head coach says there’s a chance some players may withdraw from the portal, but he still has to set a plan to recoup talent and depth.

“It’s part of the recruiting process now,” Colzie said. “In our conversations, there’s still that opportunity for some of those guys to return.

“But believe me, we got a plan if we need to replace any of them.”

The transfer portal reopens for undergraduate students from April 15 to April 30. Graduate students can enter the portal whenever they want.

As FAMU awaits the portal’s 15-day window, the Rattlers prepare for spring football camp’s final week.

The Rattlers have three practices remaining, including the annual Orange and Green Spring Game on April 13 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The spring game kicks off at 4 p.m., and tickets are $15.

Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Recruiting Class

Quarterback

Alston Hooker ― North Carolina A&T

Daniel Richardson ― Florida Atlantic

Running Back

Rodney Hill ― Florida State

Jaylen Neal ― Buford High School (Georgia)

Wide Receiver

Marquez Bell ― Old Dominion

Caden Bridgeman — Niceville High School

A'Ceon Cobb ― Florida Atlantic

Quay Davis ― Texas Southern

Amari Johnson ― Central Florida

Tight End

Jayden Evans ― Central Michigan

Offensive Lineman

Jeremy Fishkin ― Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Florida)

Ralphael Williams Jr. ― Crisp County High School (Cordele, Georgia)

Defensive Line

Montra Edwards ― Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Brekien Harold ― Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory (Hollywood, Florida)

Clyde Pinder Jr. ― Copiah-Lincoln Community Collge

Linebacker

Landon Bolding ― Monarch High School (Coconut Creek, Florida)

Darrick McGhee Jr. — Florida High

Jerome Nichols ― Michigan

Adrian Owens ― Lamar

Defensive Back

Jameel Sanders ― South Florida

Demorie Tate ― Florida State

Specialists

Max Larson ― Kicker ― Florida State

Andrew Tisher ― Punter ― Stetson

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers coach Colzie navigating transfer portal losses