FAMU football preseason all-stars: Rattlers who possibly camped their way to a starting spot
Florida A&M football’s final week of traditional training camp practices is complete.
On Friday, the Rattlers had their 19th preseason practice on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Training camp was a period where FAMU meshed returning players with many newcomers.
FAMU head coach James Colzie III feels good about his inaugural Rattlers team’s cohesiveness.
“Everyone wants to talk about our transfers. And trust me, it’s duly noted that those guys are going to be, really, good players,” Colzie said after Friday’s practice.
“But I can’t forget about the veterans who have come in and continued the tradition of success. They’re doing a really good job of letting these new guys know the expectations.
“It’s a group effort. But we wouldn’t be able to do it without our veterans.”
FAMU will meet Saturday for its 20th practice to scrimmage each other once more before entering game week, as they will face Norfolk State next Saturday at 7:30 in Atlanta’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
With a mix of starters and transfers looking to make an immediate impact, let’s look at players who may have training camped their way to a starting job for the Rattlers.
Who are FAMU football's familiar faces that could start in 2024?
Junior Muratovic, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior: Could Junior Muratovic be FAMU’s starting quarterback in the 2024 season? Muratovic is a player to whom Colzie gave props for being a veteran that galvanized the Rattlers’ new-look roster. Leadership qualities are something coaches look for in their signal callers. Muratovic has been a backup quarterback at FAMU since 2021, appearing in seven games, with two being starts.
Jamari Gassett, Wide Receiver, Senior: Last season, Jamari Gassett sat behind FAMU receivers Marcus Riley and Jah’Marae Sheread, who both graduated. Riley is now with the New York Jets. Gassett had 24 receptions for 320 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 after transferring to FAMU from Buffalo. He’ll be considered the Rattlers’ top target in 2024 as he earned Preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Second Team honors. FAMU receivers coach Antonio Carter gave Gassett props for his maturation.
James Ash, Defensive Lineman, Redshirt Senior: James Ash is considered the SWAC’s top returning interior defensive lineman. Transferring to FAMU from Wake Forest in 2022, Ash was a rotational piece for the Rattlers for the last two seasons. He’s collected 42 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and an interception in 22 games at FAMU. Now, he’s expected to be one of the Rattlers’ marquee players, as Colzie and staff have given him props throughout training camp.
Allen Smith Jr., Defensive Lineman, Graduate Student: Allen Smith Jr. is naturally a linebacker. But, since transferring to FAMU from Louisville last season, he’s taken an edge rusher role for the Rattlers. Smith totaled 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in his first year playing on the defensive line. This season, he was named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team. He’s also garnered praise from Colzie and the FAMU coaching staff.
Andre Powell Jr., Defensive Back, Redshirt Junior: Andre Powell Jr. could crack the starting lineup of FAMU’s defensive back set for 2024. Colzie shouted out Powell’s performance following the final traditional training camp practice. Powell has been at FAMU since 2022, appearing in 16 games. He totals 19 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack over the last two years.
Which FAMU football newcomers made a good first impression to possibly land a starting job?
Jaylen Ward, Wide Receiver, Sophomore: Jaylen Ward has turned his new teammate’s heads as a receiving threat for FAMU. Ward transferred from Middle Tennessee State this offseason. He appeared in six games last season for the Blue Raiders.
Karter Johnson, Tight End, Graduate Student: Karter Johnson is a “no-nonsense” guy, said FAMU coach Colzie. The Pitt transfer has joined an already-talented tight end group. However, the Rattlers typically utilize three tight ends. So, Johnson will be in the mix.
Elijah Philippe, Offensive Lineman, Redshirt Junior: Elijah Philippe comes to FAMU from Troy. The 6-foot-7 offensive lineman adds another piece to the Rattlers offensive line, which returns the most starters from last season’s Black College Football National Championship team. Phillipe’s tall frame would make him an ideal tackle, as he could reach defensive ends and edge rushers.
Cameron Donald, Defensive Lineman, Graduate Student: Cameron Donald joined the Rattlers and made a good first impression on coaches and teammates. In just a week into training camp, the Kennesaw State had earned a spot near the top of the depth chart, said FAMU defensive coordinator Milton Patterson.
Davion Westmoreland, Defensive Lineman, Graduate Student: FAMU coaches and players are raving about Kansas transfer Davion Westmoreland. The defensive end fits right in with the typically disruptive Rattlers defensive line, which earned high marks in the nation’s statistics last season. Westmoreland said he came to FAMU to eat. Westmoreland is feasting, as FAMU defensive coordinator Patterson said he was near the top of the depth chart in just a week of practice.
Jerome Nichols, Linebacker, Graduate Student: FAMU coach Colzie said Jerome Nichols can be an All-American talent. Nichols transferred to FAMU after being on the Michigan Wolverines’ 2023-2024 College Football Playoff National Championship team. So, despite being on a new team, Nichols also looks to repeat by helping the Rattlers win the Black College National Championship again. This time, he may do it as a critical piece for the team.
Jameel Sanders, Defensive Back, Redshirt Junior: Jameel Sanders transferred to FAMU from South Florida this season. He’s been a player Colzie has been high on since the defensive back signed with the Rattlers. What stood out to Colzie was Sanders’ intensity level, especially when FAMU had its first padded practice at training camp three weeks ago.
Who could be a rising star for FAMU football in 2024?
Bo Summersett, Running Back, Redshirt Freshman: Bo Summersett is a player FAMU running backs coach Marcus Windham said has “RB1” potential. Summersett is entering his second year of college with the likelihood of assisting the Rattlers’ usual running back-by-committee approach. Summersett was a three-star high school prospect with Power Four opportunities but decided to attend FAMU.
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 players who possibly got a starting job at training camp
