Florida A&M football is back.

On Thursday, the Rattlers opened their fall training camp on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in preparation for the 2024 football season.

After proctoring his first training camp practice as FAMU’s head coach, James Colzie III left the field with high hopes for his inaugural Rattlers team.

“We look good,” Colzie said.

“We ran around extremely well. Day one ― the normal mistakes you’d expect ― maybe some new guys not lining up correctly. I will say that I thought our veterans did a good job of getting us going.”

The first day of practice is rarely a flawless outing for teams.

However, day one always provides building blocks as a new season approaches.

Having players who exemplify work ethic and are willing to push themselves and their teammates is a good sign for what’s to come as the Rattlers have officially begun their quest to repeat as Black College Football National Champions.

Seeing how the team improves is something FAMU running back and 2023 Celebration Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player Kelvin Dean Jr. looks forward to.

“Everybody’s flying around. Some guys are tired or whatnot. But that’s what comes with it,” said Dean, a 2024 Preseason All-SWAC Second Team selection. “It was a pretty good effort. I admire that part. It gives us something to build on in the future.”

FAMU football is uniform in first training camp practice review: "Energy"

After FAMU’s opening practice, the Rattlers shared a common observation.

“Energy” was used by Rattlers players and coaches at Thursday’s conclusion.

Good energy plays a role in finding who the Rattlers’ key players are, says Joseph Henry, FAMU’s assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach.

“The biggest takeaway for me was the energy and optimism. I’m proud of the way they attacked practice,” Henry said.

“There are high expectations for this season. No one’s afraid to talk about it. We embrace those challenges. And you could see that in how these guys worked over the summer, and it bleeds over into what we’ve done now for the first day of fall camp.

“We’ve already started developing our vocal leaders on the offensive side of the ball and starting to see those guys rise to the top.”

Prefacing the Rattlers’ first practice was the team’s first meeting on Tuesday.

It allowed the returning and new Rattlers to get acquainted mere days before hitting the turf Thursday morning.

“The energy has been great since day one, even though we had meetings the first couple of days,” said FAMU offensive lineman Jalen Goss. “Just being back with my teammates ― new blood, old blood ― everybody’s excited to get out here and get better.”

FAMU quarterback Junior Muratovic arrived at FAMU in 2021.

The rising junior is entering his fourth training camp with the Rattlers.

However, this opening practice is the one that stands out to the hopeful starting quarterback as he returns to a team with nearly 50 new players.

“Everybody was a little more juiced up today ― especially with the new guys getting the practice vibes,” Muratovic said.

FAMU football coach James Colzie III eyes constant progress during training camp

The initial framework has been set.

But of course, the Rattlers have a ways to go until it’s time for kickoff at Atlanta’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Norfolk State on Aug. 24.

“Excited for the guys and happy that they’re out here. They know we’re not perfect or ready to play a game yet,” Colzie said. “This is just step one of the journey before our season starts August 24.”

FAMU will return to Ken Riley Field on Friday for its second of 25 training camp football practices.

The Rattlers will emphasize rectifying any mishaps that accompany a first practice.

“The biggest thing on offense and defense was wanting to get as many reps on film so we can start assessing and evaluating where guys will be,” Colzie said. “We’ll evaluate and assess, watch the film, make corrections tonight, and be back out here tomorrow.”

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 first 2024 season practice with high 'energy, optimism'