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FAMU football gets first transfer commit from former Rickards running back Kelvin Dean Jr.

gerald thomas iii, tallahassee democrat
·2 min read

Recruiting season is in full swing.

And Florida A&M football is still utilizing the transfer portal as it did last offseason.

Former Rickards High School standout running back Kelvin Dean, Jr. would be the first transfer commitment to the Rattlers.

He comes from Florida Atlantic University and announced his plans via Twitter.

"Rattler Nation, I'm coming home," Dean said on the post.

Dean, 6-foot, 200 pounds, comes to FAMU with two years of eligibility after completing his redshirt sophomore season with the Owls.

He officially entered the transfer portal on Nov. 22 and was offered by the Rattlers on Nov. 30.

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Florida Atlantic running back Kelvin Dean Jr. (21) looks for room to get around Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida Atlantic running back Kelvin Dean Jr. (21) looks for room to get around Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Who is Kelvin Dean Jr. and what he brings to FAMU's backfield

Dean is originally from Chipley where he began his high school career before transferring to Tallahassee's Rickards for his senior year.

His high school career was highlighted by a 265-yard and six touchdown performance against Gadsden County while playing under coach Quintin Lewis.

Dean, a member of the 2019 class, was originally committed to Temple, but ultimately chose to sign and continue his education at FAU under former coach Lane Kiffin as a three-star. He ended his tenure with FAU playing for former Florida State coach Willie Taggart.

His best performing season with the Owls was 2021 where he had 21 carries for 131 yards, and two touchdowns ― 6.2 yards per carry. His career tallies sit at 52 carries for 209 yards and two scores.

The Rattlers' rushing attack struggled at times last season and was last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) last season, finishing with 1,042 total yards on the ground.

Dean gives the FAMU backfield depth as the team's leading rusher Jaylen McCloud and fellow running back AJ Davis concluded their college careers this season.

He is also projected to join two other former Rickards running backs in De'Andre Francis and Destin Coates who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last season's Orange and Green Spring Game.

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Former Rickards running back transfers to the Rattlers