FAMU football emphasizing little things in initial practices | 3 early takeaways from camp
The formative period of Florida A&M football’s preseason training camp has been vital.
The first two practices of 25 have given the Rattlers a direction of who and where they are as a team.
FAMU has practiced in helmets and shorts thus far.
However, the Rattlers will wear helmets and shoulder pads for Saturday’s third training camp practice.
“Day two, we need it before we get into pads. It helps us see where we’re at as far as conditioning and techniques,” said FAMU offensive lineman Ashton Grable, a Preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Teamer.
“By the time we get in pads, you can work on your stuff and get better.”
Gym class is over.
The reigning Black College Football National Champions are about to get physical, starting Saturday.
But before moving too far ahead, here are three takeaways from the Rattlers’ shell practices before the team pads up on Saturday.
FAMU football being 'big on the little things' early in training camp
FAMU isn’t skipping any steps of the process.
The Rattlers have entered training camp with a clean slate.
For example, despite already being an HBCU national champion and all-conference performer, Grable still eyes improvement for 2024 for himself and the entire offensive line.
“Just trying to get the little things corrected like pad-level techniques,” said Grable, a redshirt junior. “We’re taking strides and trying to get better every day.”
This season, the Rattlers’ ‘Dark Cloud Defense’ welcomes over 20 new players to its unit.
Having that many new faces could pose challenges as players adapt to each other, such as calling out alignments and coverages.
However, FAMU defensive coordinator Milton Patterson saw a significant jump in his players’ communication from day one on Thursday to day two on Friday.
“Communication has picked up pretty well. That’s one of the biggest questions with so many new players,” Patterson said. “The guys are working, making sure everybody’s on the same page. We’re gradually seeing it better day by day.”
Steady improvements are the “little things” FAMU preaches.
The Rattlers aren’t just relying on their innate talent to win, as they would at times last season on the way to winning the SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl.
“Last year, we had a lot of close games. We were so talented to the point where we were beating ourselves. That’s why we were in so many close games,” FAMU linebacker Allen Smith Jr. said.
“This year, we’re trying to be big on the little things.”
Last season's newbies are now emerging as FAMU's leaders
The best teams are player-led.
Last season, Grable transferred to FAMU from Jacksonville State.
His focus was landing a starting spot and keeping it.
With a season under his belt at FAMU, Grable embraces the dual responsibility of starring on the field and leading others. Galvanizing his FAMU teammates has made Grable realize how vital he is to the Rattlers’ success.
“I got to try to be more vocal and be a leader because now a lot of guys are looking at me to step up and do better,” Grable said. “So, now I take my preparation way more seriously. I’m tired when out there, but try to run harder because I know my team needs it.”
Smith was part of last season’s transfer class alongside Grable, leaving the Louisville Cardinals to join the Rattlers.
In 2023, Smith notched 30 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, recovered two fumbles and forced a fumble.
Now, the soft-spoken graduate student Smith is stepping up to a new challenge from his coaches in his final college football season ― leadership.
And Smith goes beyond the football field.
“Picking up trash, being 10 minutes early to meetings, and making it to meals 15 minutes they end, going to class ― the little things that don’t have nothing to do with being on the field,” Smith said.
FAMU football building cohesion, embracing competition
FAMU has approximately 50 new players on its 2024 roster.
So, the Rattlers reserve time to fellowship and bond outside camp meetings and practices.
“To form a solid team, you got to bond outside of football,” Smith said.
“Camp is a tough time. It’s hot out here, and everyone is having their own battles. We just got to bond, communicate, and let each other know we’re brothers and be there for each other.”
FAMU is embracing team competition.
Demanding the best out of each other and moving through the daily grind of camp will only help in the long run.
“They’re challenging each other. We want to create a culture of competition and make sure they’re pushing each other,” Patterson said. “They’re working through the adversities and working together on the good side.”
FAMU wants no shortfalls in its roster.
Everyone has to be up to par if the Rattlers want to make another run at the SWAC and Celebration Bowl trophies to claim their 17th Black College Football National Championship.
“We just want to make each other better. Make sure the offense and defense are gelling,” Smith said. “We got to go to war with each other before we play other teams and try to win this thing.”
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule
Aug. 24 vs. Norfolk State in MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Atlanta* at 7:30 p.m., ABC
Aug. 31 vs. South Carolina State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Sept. 7 at Miami, 6 p.m., ACC Network
Sept. 21 at Troy, 7 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
Sept. 28 vs. Alabama A&M, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Oct. 5 at Alabama State, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
Oct. 19 at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN Network
Oct. 26 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN Network
Nov. 2 vs. Texas Southern (HOMECOMING), 4 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 9 at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
Nov. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m., HBCU GO
Nov. 23 vs. Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic, Orlando*, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Network
Nov. 30: FCS Playoffs Begin
Dec. 7: SWAC Championship, LOCATION/TEAMS TBA, ESPN2
Dec. 14: Celebration Bowl, Atlanta*, TEAMS TBA, 12 p.m., ABC
BOLD = SWAC
* = Neutral Site
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's takeaways from first two practices of 2024 camp
