Daniel Richardson transferred to Florida A&M for a fresh start and to play for a championship program.

Shortly after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal from Florida Atlantic, the quarterback watched the Rattlers win last season’s Celebration Bowl to claim the 2023 Black College Football National Championship.

Less than a week later, Richardson signed on with the Rattlers as a grad student using his final season of college football eligibility.

Richardson immediately entered a quarterback battle with Junior Muratovic.

On Monday, FAMU named Richardson its starting quarterback over Muratovic for the Rattlers’ Week 0 game versus the Norfolk State Spartans in Atlanta’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

“I was definitely excited. Always excited for the opportunity,” Richardson said, recalling when he was told he was starting in Saturday’s primetime game. “At the end of the day, you got to get the job done somehow.”

Before FAMU, Richardson played at Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic.

No one cared that Richardson had thrown nearly 7,500 yards and scored almost 60 touchdowns on the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

No one cared that Richardson quarterbacked CMU to a Sun Bowl victory over Washington State in 2021.

The Miami native still had to earn his spot as the Rattlers’ starter.

Richardson recalled a conversation with FAMU offensive lineman Jalen Goss, who also played on the FBS level at Florida State before joining the Rattlers in 2022.

“He told me I had to earn my way and the spot here,” Richardson said. “I felt like I did that ― got the guys in the locker room and on the field ― that leadership role. I did what I had to do.”

Richardson has big shoes to fill.

As FAMU’s starting quarterback, Richardson succeeds Jeremy Moussa, who played his final football college season in 2023.

Moussa was the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and shared a portion of the Deacon Jones Trophy, given to the top HBCU football player.

“He left a legacy. And I want to carry it on,” Richardson said. “I’ve heard many great things about him ― he was a great leader on and off the field. I want to continue that.”

'Lead this team': Daniel Richardson set to debut as FAMU football's starting quarterback

Richardson had his first practice as the Rattlers’ starting quarterback on Tuesday.

Practice preludes Richardson hopefully making a good first impression as FAMU and Norfolk State kick off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. from Center Parc Stadium.

Fans can watch the game on TV on ABC or listen to the audio broadcast on the Rattlers mobile app.

“To lead this team. That’s it. Take it day by day, focus on this first game, and come out there with a victory,” Richardson said of his practice emphasis.

Richardson is the FAMU’s starting quarterback.

So, by nature, he will get the media and fan attention.

However, Richardson says his upcoming FAMU debut on Saturday is more about his teammates and Rattler Nation than himself.

“To see everybody else happy,” Richardson said when asked about his goals for the FAMU-Norfolk game.

“We’ve been going against each other every day, and now we’re going there as one. We wear that FAMU across our chest. Let’s make the city happy. We’re going to get it going. Get the job done.”

Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State ― Week 0, MEAC/SWAC Challenge

When: Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

Broadcast: ABC/WTXL (Television), Rattlers Mobile App (Audio)

Tickets: Purchase Here

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.

No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football's Daniel Richardson's mindset as new starting QB