Rasean McKay is a familiar name on FAMU's football roster.

The quarterback spent two seasons as an understudy to 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) player of the year Ryan Stanley. McKay stepped in last season as a first-time starter, helping lead the Rattlers to a 9-3 record in their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) debut and and a first appearance in the FCS playoffs in 20 years.

Despite the structure and success, McKay is far from satisfied.

The redshirt senior is continually developing and learning. He feels more comfortable and confident in the Rattlers' offensive scheme. He's focusing on his pocket presence, passing touch and reading defenses. When not on the field, he's in the video room, - studying and critiquing his performance.

"I feel comfortable in the offense but it's still about reps and getting better and learning from my mistakes," McKay said.

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A far from conventional journey

McKay looks to take another step forward Saturday in the Rattlers' first scrimmage of the spring.

“Rasean is picking up where he left off last year, he’s looking really sharp,” FAMU coach Willie Simmons said.

McKay's journey at quarterback has been far from conventional.

McKay's first love as a youth was baseball, playing third base and pitching at Godby High. He has had to learn the mechanics and nuances of playing quarterback and had one scholarship offer out of high school to Warner University, a small Christian school in Lake Wales.

He learned behind the record-setting Stanley and stepped in when needed, throwing a 22-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime in place of an injured Stanley against North Carolina A&T in 2019. Finally, when it was his turn as the Rattlers’ starter against Jackson State to open last season, he struggled and was benched for the second game against Fort Valley State.

Still, McKay remained undeterred.

He saw playing time against Fort Valley State and returned to the starter's role the following week at South Florida. He turned in a career performance at Arkansas Pine Bluff in November, throwing for 383 yards and five touchdowns. He finished the season with 2,457 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

McKay says the Rattlers - himself included - are building on last season's positives. McKay is determined to be better in the pocket. He wants to be quicker with his reads and decisions and avoid slightly "squatting" in his throwing stance.

"We are coming to spring practice every day focused and wanting to get better," McKay said. "We know what we have to work on and what's ahead."

McKay - one of six quarterbacks on the roster - is also being pushed for the starter's role.

Muratovic had 173 passing yards last season, while Cameron Sapp appeared in seven games. And then there's Vanderbilt transfer Jeremy Moussa . He joined the Commodores ahead of the 2020 season after leading San Bernardino Valley College to a 9-2 record and a 2019 Inland Empire Athletic Conference title. Moussa appeared in two games at Vanderbilt before he entered the transfer portal and selected FAMU.

The Rattlers also want more in 2022.

The dropped last season's opener to eventual SWAC champion Jackson State, looking anemic on offense. They were smoked by Southeastern Louisiana 38-14 in opening-round play of the FCS playoffs. FAMU opens this season at North Carolina Aug. 27 and returns to Hard Rock Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale against Jackson State Sunday, Sept. 4.

"The expectations are higher," McKay said.

"We had a good season but not where we wanted it to end. When we lost to Jackson State, we knew we had to win out. We have unfinished business. We are coming to every practice this spring with a chip on our shoulder. "

FAMU QUARTERBACKS

Jacory Jordan, Sophomore

LeJohn Howard, redshirt senior

Rasean McKay, redshirt senior

Jeremy Moussa, graduate student

Junior Muratovic, Sophomore

Cameron Sapp, Redshirt Jr.

2021 Statistics

McKay: 12 games, 211 of 364 (57.9 percent) 5 INT 2457 yards, 22 TD

Muratovic: 3 games 20 of 35 (57.1 percent) 2 INT 173 1 TD

Sapp: 7 games 3 of 6 (50 percent 30 yards

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU QB Rasean McKay eyes improvement during spring football practice