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How FAMU football's James Colzie III plans to pick a quarterback during bye week
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- How FAMU football's James Colzie III plans to pick a quarterback during bye week
Multiple quarterbacks have earned playing time in two of Florida A&M 's three games to open the 2025 season.
RJ Johnson III and Jett Peddy have led the Rattler offense, most recently in their 33-25 comeback win over NCAA Division II team Albany State Golden Rams last Saturday, Sept. 13.
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jett Peddy (8) passes to a teammate down the field. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Johnson has been FAMU's starting quarterback versus Howard, Florida Atlantic, and Albany State and has gotten significantly more snaps. He won a training camp position battle versus Peddy and other quarterbacks on FAMU's roster.
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Peddy didn't play against Howard in Week 1's Orange Blossom Classic loss, but appeared versus FAU and Albany State.
The Rattlers (1-2) are on a bye this week and return to action for their Southwestern Athletic Conference home opener versus the Alabama State Hornets (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 27 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
"We're having success with both of them," FAMU head coach James Colzie III said when asked about Johnson and Peddy in the SWAC's media availability on Monday, Sept. 15.
"But I think for us, the details are what potentially separate them. We've got guys making good throws and making great catches. There have been a few drops as well that have hurt our offensive production. But I think the biggest thing for us is having these guys develop. It's a long season. Just being able to make sure these guys are going in the right direction for our offense."
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FAMU fell behind 14-3 early in its Week 3 home opener versus Albany State.
Johnson was substituted out during FAMU's third offensive series for Peddy, who immediately led the Rattlers downfield for a four-yard touchdown run by running back Thad Franklin Jr. to spark the rally .
Trailing at halftime, Johnson was subbed back in to start the third quarter. He immediately connected with wide receiver Kenari Wilcher for a 71-yard touchdown pass to take a 17-14 lead over Albany State.
After being gifted a short field from an Albany State fumbled kick return, Johnson had another touchdown pass to running back Jamal Hailey for 12 yards.
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"Getting the opportunity to put the ball in the paint can only continue to give an offense confidence," Colzie said of the quarterbacks leading scoring drives.
Johnson finished the game versus Albany State , completing 17 passes on 22 attempts for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and was sacked three times. Peddy never checked back into the game and finished completing nine of 14 passes for 99 yards, but threw an interception that was tipped off the hands of receiver A'Ceon Cobb.
Both quarterbacks will be closely observed during the bye week as FAMU prepares for its highly anticipated matchup with Alabama State.
"RJ and Jett ― Jett and RJ are going to work extremely hard to beat the signal caller," Colzie said. "It depends on who is making the proper improvements as we get closer to Alabama State next week."
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Colzie credited FAMU's offensive coordinator, Henry Burris, and staff for coaching up multiple quarterbacks.
The FAMU coach says that behind the offensive line and Franklin, a HBCU Preseason All-American running back, commanding respect from defenses can open up the Rattlers' passing game, regardless of whether it's Johnson or Peddy starting at quarterback moving forward.
Florida A&M Rattlers head coach James Colzie III argues a call with the referee. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
"We're still trying to learn our team," Colzie said. "We want to be a great running team. I don't really think we want to be a run-first team. That allows us to do some things in the pass game that put our wide receivers in one-on-one matchups."
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Florida A&M Football's Remaining 2025 Schedule
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Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK
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Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 4 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central, 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming), 4 p.m., ESPN Plus
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Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC), 5 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC), 7 p.m., ESPN Network
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Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
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Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
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Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium), TIME TBA, ESPN Plus
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Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary)
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Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary)
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Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary)
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Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville's FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary)
All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU QB controversy: RJ Johnson or Jett Peddy? Bye week will help
