By Gerald Thomas III
(Source: Tallahassee Democrat)
Spring game week has arrived for Florida A&M football.
And the Rattlers look to put their best foot forward for Saturday’s showcase game, where fans will see the 2025 team for the first time.
The Rattlers’ annual Orange and Green Spring Game is on Saturday at 4 p.m. on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The FAMU football team knows its preseason expectations hinge on what happens Saturday.
“It’s a big week because this is the first time people will see us for the 2025 season. Everybody’s preconceived notions will be based on what they see Saturday,” FAMU offensive lineman Ashton Grable told the Tallahassee Democrat after Tuesday’s spring camp practice.
“So, we got to come out here and put on a show.”
The Rattlers have practiced 11 times this spring, most recently on Tuesday.
This week may hold the most stock in FAMU’s spring football training camp.
It’s sink or swim if players want to land spots on the Rattlers’ starting lineups. Coaches will closely evaluate the spring game to determine who those first 11 offensive and defensive players are moving forward.
“We’re going to try to make sure that we put our best performance on Saturday. It’s important because, at the end of this spring game, some jobs will probably be decided,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III said. “So, you just continue to do what you’ve been doing through those first 10-11 practices, and you should be good to go.”
FAMU football exudes excitement for the 2025 Orange and Green Spring Game
Much excitement surrounds FAMU’s Orange and Green Spring Game.
Especially for newcomers.
FAMU transfer defensive back TeQuan Latimore said he’s been looking at videos of Rattlers’ football gamedays at Bragg since his recruiting process. The Cairo, Georgia native transferred to FAMU from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
“I’ve been looking forward to the spring game for a few weeks now,” Latimore said. “Just the environment and atmosphere ― I can’t wait. April 12th, I’m excited to put on the Orange, look official, and be a Rattler.”
Colzie is entering his third spring game at FAMU, his second as the head coach.
The FAMU Rattlers show off what they’ve been working on during the offseason in the Florida A&M Spring Game.
The second-year head coach said the spring game and playing at Bragg, one of the nation’s most heavily attended stadiums, are selling points for players to come to FAMU.
“We talk about enjoying why this university is the number one HBCU. And they’ll get a little glimpse of it with everything on Saturday,” Colzie explained. “That’s why you come to Florida A&M ― to play in these environments and games.”
FAMU football’s offensive and defensive line impressing entering Orange and Green Spring Game
Expect to see some trench warfare in FAMU’s spring game on Saturday.
Colzie gave props to the big men, stating that it’s often hard to tell who wins the battles during their vehement battles at practice.
“I’m impressed with what our offensive and defensive linemen are doing. Those guys are battling every single day,” Colzie said. “If we’re going to compete and win a national and conference championship, it will start with our front. I’m happy where those two groups are at this point.”
FAMU’s offensive line boasts Grable, an NCAA All-HBCU selection last season, and Charles Davis, an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Teamer in 2024. The defensive line has All-SWAC Second Teamer James Ash and his running mate Davion Westmoreland.
“Games are won in the trenches. So, we’re just coming out here every day trying to get better,” Grable said. “I go against guys like James Ash, Cam Donald, Nick Dimitris, Stan Smith ― every day I try to get better. I don’t win every time, but I try to go at them, and they go at me, and we both get better.”
Florida A&M Football Remaining Spring Practice Schedule