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FAMU football coach James Colzie III has plan to recoup losses to NCAA Transfer Portal
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- FAMU football coach James Colzie III has plan to recoup losses to NCAA Transfer Portal
James Colzie III's new job as Florida A&M's head football coach has tasked him with navigating some of the new realities of college sports.
Since ending last season with the program's first Celebration Bowl trophy , followed by a coaching change , the Rattlers have lost many key players to the NCAA Transfer Portal .
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The transfer portal is an avenue for NCAA athletes who have opted to find a new home. Transfer players get immediate eligibility to compete for their new teams.
All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performers defensive lineman Gentle Hunt , linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr. , and defensive back Lovie Jenkins are in the portal.
Other portal entries include players who were projected to be integral to FAMU's continued success this season. Wide receiver Kareem Burke , offensive lineman Kardell Thomas , defensive linemen Cherif Seye , Allen Smith Jr. , and Deco Wilson intend to transfer.
"The biggest thing from our guys has been their communication," Colzie said. "That's just the nature of football. Bronny James is in the transfer portal . How unhappy could he be?
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"Obviously, we wish those guys well."
Florida A&M teammates, defensive back Lovie Jenkins (left) and Johnny Chaney celebrate a play during the Rattlers' Southwestern Athletic Conference game versus the Alabama State Hornets on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. After All-SWAC seasons, Jenkins and Chaney are both in the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Colzie knows the magnitude of his team losing that talent to the ever-growing transfer portal.
The first-year FAMU head coach says there's a chance some players may withdraw from the portal, but he still has to set a plan to recoup talent and depth.
"It's part of the recruiting process now," Colzie said. "In our conversations, there's still that opportunity for some of those guys to return.
"But believe me, we got a plan if we need to replace any of them."
The transfer portal reopens for undergraduate students from April 15 to April 30. Graduate students can enter the portal whenever they want.
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As FAMU awaits the portal's 15-day window, the Rattlers prepare for spring football camp's final week.
The Rattlers have three practices remaining, including the annual Orange and Green Spring Game on April 13 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium .
The spring game kicks off at 4 p.m., and tickets are $15 .
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Recruiting Class
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson throws a pass during the Rattlers' first day of spring football practice in pads on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, March 8, 2024.
Quarterback
Alston Hooker ― North Carolina A&T
Daniel Richardson ― Florida Atlantic
Running Back
Rodney Hill ― Florida State
Jaylen Neal ― Buford High School (Georgia)
Wide Receiver
Marquez Bell ― Old Dominion
Caden Bridgeman — Niceville High School
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A'Ceon Cobb ― Florida Atlantic
Quay Davis ― Texas Southern
Amari Johnson ― Central Florida
Tight End
Jayden Evans ― Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman
Jeremy Fishkin ― Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Florida)
Ralphael Williams Jr. ― Crisp County High School (Cordele, Georgia)
Defensive Line
Montra Edwards ― Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Brekien Harold ― Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory (Hollywood, Florida)
Clyde Pinder Jr. ― Copiah-Lincoln Community Collge
Linebacker
Landon Bolding ― Monarch High School (Coconut Creek, Florida)
Darrick McGhee Jr. — Florida High
Jerome Nichols ― Michigan
Adrian Owens ― Lamar
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Defensive Back
Jameel Sanders ― South Florida
Demorie Tate ― Florida State
Specialists
Max Larson ― Kicker ― Florida State
Andrew Tisher ― Punter ― Stetson
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: Rattlers coach Colzie navigating transfer portal losses
