FAMU football quarterback Daniel Richardson to start in season opener at MEAC/SWAC Challenge
The wait is over.
Florida A&M football has named its starting quarterback.
On Monday, FAMU football’s social media accounts announced that Daniel Richardson will start at quarterback for Saturday’s season opener versus the Norfolk State Trojans in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
Richardson, a graduate transfer from Florida Atlantic, landed the starting job after a preseason quarterback battle with Junior Muratovic.
“Ultimately, we decided today that we’re going to go with Daniel Richardson as our starting quarterback,” FAMU head football coach James Colzie III said on his Coaches Show Monday.
“When I talked about the quarterback play during training camp, I wanted a guy to make sure he would take care of the football. And [Richardson’s] done a really, really good job with that and making sure he got the ball out of his hands to our receivers.
“It wasn’t a runaway or a landslide win. [Richardson and Muratovic] both did really, really, really good things throughout training camp. We just felt that, at this time, Daniel Richardson would be the guy.”
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Colzie added that he plans also to play Muratovic on Saturday.
“We’re going to make a plan to play Junior. Junior’s done a good job and deserves to play,” Colzie said.
“We can’t roll out two. I wish we could. But Daniel’s going to roll out there as the starter on Saturday. We will need both because you never know what can happen ― injuries or someone not playing well.”
FAMU and Norfolk State’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup is at 7:30 p.m. inside Atlanta’s Center Parc Stadium. Fans who can’t attend the game can watch the annual showdown between the two NCAA Division I HBCU conferences.
Who is FAMU football's starting quarterback Daniel Richardson?
Richardson transferred to FAMU this season after previous stints at Center Michigan and Florida Atlantic. Richardson is using his final year of eligibility on The Highest of Seven Hills.
The 5-foot-10 graduate student from Miami signed to join the Rattlers before FAMU’s former head coach, Willie Simmons, left to become Duke’s running backs coach.
Richardson has starting experience on the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Appearing in 43 games with 32 starts, Richardson has completed 61 percent of his passes for 7,392 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.
In 2021, Richardson quarterbacked CMU to a Sun Bowl victory over Washington State. Richardson completed 18 of 34 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the Chippewas’ 24-21 win.
“He’s a gamer,” Colzie said of Richardson. “The only thing he does lack is the height and all of that stuff. But he’s extremely intelligent ― knows the offense and puts the guys in the right spot.”
A look at the rest of FAMU football's depth chart: Offense
FAMU football also released its two-deep depth chart on Monday.
Starting at running back for the Rattlers is redshirt freshman Bo Summersett.
The Rattlers’ starting receiving corps consists of sophomore transfers A’Ceon Cobb (X), Jalen Rogers (F), and returning player Jamari Gassett (Z).
Pitt transfer Karter Johnson starts at tight end, with Jeremiah Pruitte and Koby Gross serving as H-Backs.
FAMU’s starting offensive line set is returning players Jalen Goss (left tackle), Ashton Grable (left guard), Cesar Reyes (center), TJ Lee (right guard), and Troy transfer Elijah Philippe.
A look at the rest of FAMU football's depth chart: Defense
FAMU’s defensive four-man front is Davion Westmoreland (defensive end), James Ash (defensive tackle), Cameron Donald (nose guard), and Allen Smith Jr. (FANG).
Aric Horne (Striker) and Michigan transfer Jerome Nichols (middle linebacker) are manning the Rattlers’ second line of defense.
FAMU’s five-man defensive back lineup is Jameel Sanders (star), Andre Powell Jr. (rover), Deco Wilson (free safety), Kendall Bohler (field-side cornerback), and Ah’Mare Lee (boundary cornerback).
A look at the rest of FAMU football's special teams depth chart: Special Teams
Cameron Gillis is FAMU’s placekicker.
Trey Wilhoit is the starting punter and holder.
Baylor Payan or Lawrence Martinez will do the long snapping.
Gassett will return kicks while Rogers returns punts.
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.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU announces transfer QB Daniel Richardson as starter for season opener
