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FAMU football star WR Jamari Gassett embodies homecoming spirit: 'He loves being a Rattler.'
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- FAMU football star WR Jamari Gassett embodies homecoming spirit: 'He loves being a Rattler.'
(This story has been updated to add additional information.)
The football field is more than a 120-yard turf canvas to Florida A&M wide receiver Jamari Gassett.
The senior views the green surface as grounds to dazzle audiences through his sure hands, blazing speed, and flashiness.
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Gassett, who's emerged as the Rattlers ' lead receiver this season, can often be seen dancing on the field or the sidelines after big plays.
And he backs up his madness.
This season, Gassett has 40 receptions for 526 yards and seven touchdowns through seven games. His stats are amongst the top receivers in the Football Championship Subdivision.
And it doesn't end there for the Tampa native. He's also a threat to break away for large special teams plays, as he did last Saturday, scoring a 43-yard punt return en route to the Rattlers' 24-6 win over the Southern Jaguars .
Florida A&M Rattlers take on South Carolina State in first home game of the season Thursday, August 31 2024.
"You can ask all my coaches since flag. I have fun. It's not a job or serious to me," Gassett told the Tallahassee Democrat in a one-on-one interview at Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse. "I feel like I'm performing on a stage out there. I like keeping positive energy. If you see me down, then I'm not in it. Once you see me dancing, I'm turning up and trying to vibe; I'm good.
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"When you make it serious, you're in your head. That's the worst place to be. So, I'm having fun in the moment," Gassett added. "As long as you're focused, it doesn't take away from it."
In his final college football season, Gassett has become FAMU football's heartbeat as the Rattlers look to reign as Southwestern Athletic Conference and Black College National champions again this season.
Gassett sets the tone through his lively personality and production that matches it.
"He's going to bring the energy for us. He's one of a kind," said FAMU head coach James Colzie III . "I will miss him, with this being his last season. He will have the opportunity to play at the next level, so he will make sure he presents himself the proper way.
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"He loves being a Rattler, and that's the most exciting thing for me."
Jamari Gassett's journey to FAMU football
Buffalo Bulls wide receiver Jamari Gassett (18) is brought down by Akron Zips defensive back Charles Amankwaa (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Akron, Ohio.
Gassett began his college football career on the Football Bowl Subdivision level with the Buffalo Bulls in 2021 after graduating from Tampa Bay Tech.
He played two seasons for the Bulls before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Gassett said that while in Buffalo, he contracted COVID-19 during the 2022 season. Then he realized he had another illness ― homesickness.
Gassett and one of his Buffalo teammates left campus to return to Florida.
"We hit the portal and left ― packed his car up full of stuff ― drove from Buffalo for like 20 hours," Gassett recalled.
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During Gassett and his teammate's rainy and dark commute, they got in a car accident at the Georgia line, where they hydroplaned and got struck by a semi-truck.
Gassett lost all of his belongings in the process. But he kept the most precious thing ― his life, noting that he wasn't wearing his seatbelt.
"I thank God every time. I go to church now because he could've let me fail so long ago," Gassett said. "And he keeps saving me to put me in these moments where I can keep receiving blessings and going for my family and people who support me."
Once Gassett finally made it to Florida, he played 7-on-7 and expressed his interest to former FAMU cornerback Zaire Riley that he wanted to play for the Rattlers. Riley now plays at Valdosta State.
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Gassett said that night, received a Twitter message from former FAMU recruiting director Devin Rispress , who's now on the Colorado Buffaloes' staff.
The NCAA recruiting dead period started the day after Gassett and Rispress' initial conversation. So, Gassett had to make a quick move if he wanted to be a Rattler.
The Florida A&M Rattlers had their first scrimmage of fall football training camp at Corry Field in Quincy, Florida, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023
Gassett rented a car and drove to Tallahassee the next day, ultimately committing to FAMU. Gassett joined his family's legacy of HBCU grads, mostly from Bethune-Cookman, and his aunt who graduated from and taught at FAMU.
"I never turned back since. I just took a risk and went with it," Gassett said of the drive to visit FAMU's campus.
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Jamari Gassett had to wait his turn to become FAMU football's top receiver
Gassett had everything he'd hoped for.
He was back in Florida, playing football for FAMU.
However, he had to earn his spot as he sat behind former Rattler standouts Marcus Riley and Jah'Marae Sheread in 2023.
"Trust the process," Gassett repeatedly said. "It wasn't my time. But I knew when my time came, I'd be ready."
Last year, Gassett caught 24 passes for 320 yards and scored three touchdowns. He's shattered those stats this season.
The Florida A&M Rattlers lead the Bethune Cookman Wildcats 17-0 at halftime of the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
"He's been constantly improving since he got here. One of the things I find so impressive about him is how hard he works and the attitude he brings to practice," said FAMU offensive coordinator Joseph Henry .
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"He didn't play a ton at the beginning of last season, but then you saw him come on late where he had some scores and a bunch more touches. You started seeing the tip of the iceberg as far as what he could do with the football in his hands.
"Now that he's the elder gentleman in the group, he's done a great job filling that role of our go-to guy."
Antonio Carter arrived as FAMU's wide receiver coach in 2023, the same year Gassett joined the Rattlers' roster.
So, Carter has had a front-row seat to Gassett's development as a player and a person. Carter, a former star receiver at Rickards High School and route-runner for the Alabama Crimson Tide knows a good receiver when he sees one.
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Carter and Gassett have similar hyped-up personalities that create a positive vibe in the locker room.
"Night and day. From last year to this year ― the maturity ― to see him grow," Carter said of Gassett. "You're going to see him dancing. I have to tell him to chill out sometimes. But he loves football. He's passionate about doing what he does. And I enjoy watching and coaching him. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was in school."
Jamari Gassett is highly regarded by his FAMU football teammates
Gassett has helped FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson ease the stress of leading the Rattlers' offense.
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The two unknowingly connected in 2022 while Richardson's former team, Central Michigan, defeated Gassett's Buffalo 31-27.
As fate would have it, the Florida boys migrated back to their home states and immediately displayed cohesion as a quarterback-receiver duo for FAMU football.
In their first game together, Richardson and Gassett connected eight times for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Rattlers rallied to beat Norfolk State 24-23 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge this August.
"On the field, he's a playmaker. He's a great teammate," said Richardson, a Miami native. "We just like to have fun and play football. We're both from Florida, and you know we get down. We enjoy each other."
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On Monday, Gassett was named the SWAC's Offensive Player of the Week for finishing FAMU's most recent victory over Southern with five catches for 118 yards and a receiving and punt return touchdown.
Gassett has a case for being the SWAC's top pass catcher. As FAMU's WR1, he's faced with battling with one of the FCS' highest touted cornerbacks, Kendall Bohler , in every practice.
"I love going against 'Mari' every day. He's the best receiver in the SWAC, and I'm the best DB in the SWAC. So us going head to head every day, it's just the war on war," Bohler said.
"'Mari' is doing his thing. I'm glad he's getting to go out and ball out. I'm proud of him."
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FAMU football receiver Jamari Gassett dedicates breakout season to his "biggest supporter"
Gassett is playing for a bigger purpose this season.
In March, his grandfather, Sidney Gassett, passed away at 72 years old. Gassett says Sidney was his "biggest supporter."
The receiver wears the elder Gassett's wedding ring in his grandfather's remembrance. He says he never takes it off and feels it gives him "powers" to perform well in games.
Florida A&M wide receiver Jamari Gassett (2) carries the ball against Alabama State during their game on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday October 5, 2024.
"I don't play for me. I play for my grandad," Gassett said. "He was my biggest supporter. I give everything I'm doing to him. He taught me everything I know.
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"You can't fail him. He's the reason why I got here. That's why I go so hard," Gassett added.
FAMU football receiver Jamari Gassett atop opponent's scouting reports
Florida A&M wide receiver Jamari Gassett (2) drives in for a touchdown during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
With great power comes great responsibility.
Gassett has become a focus for the opposing defense to zero in on, hoping to stop or at least contain him.
"Defenses are scouting on me," Gassett said. "I take that as success. I like the pressure. It makes me go harder and know I'm doing something right."
Game planning for Gassett hasn't worked so far for FAMU's opponents.
Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Jamari Gassett (2) runs with the football against Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Gassett has recorded a reception in every game this season.
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"He's a guy that's electric anytime he gets the football," Colzie said. "He's been presented with man-to-man coverage on the line with having a guy over the top to help that defender. He's one of the best players in the conference and country. I'm excited to say he's on our football team."
The Rattlers make it their business to get him the ball.
Why? Gassett can alter the trajectory of a game when the football is in his hands.
"He's the real deal. God has done a great job with him," Carter said. "He's been electric and a doggone spark for us. He can help us in many ways. I love the young man's energy and what he brings to our football team."
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Jamari Gassett, FAMU football hosts homecoming versus Texas Southern
FAMU's homecoming has arrived.
"It's about to go down!" Gassett said. "This is what you ask for ― game and atmosphere is on swole no matter where we're at. And you know what's about to happen after the game.
"FAMU is where it's at. I love FAMU."
Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Jamari Gassett (2) outruns Texas Southern Tigers defensive back Perry Wells for a touchdown in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, Saturday, October 21, 2023.
FAMU (4-3, 2-1 in SWAC) will host its homecoming football game versus the Texas Southern Tigers (3-4, 2-2 in SWAC) in a Week 10 SWAC game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. ESPN Plus will televise it, and the Rattlers mobile app will host its audio broadcast.
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Knowing the game has sold out does nothing but put a battery in Gassett's back. Additionally, FAMU is on a 22-game winning streak at Bragg Stadium, the second-longest home winning streak in the FCS.
"I can tell by my energy and passion for the game that I love walking in Bragg and playing for all the fans," Gassett said. "This will be the most fans, so you know I'm about to bring it. It makes you go hard. That's why we don't lose in Bragg. You can't get tired of it.
"That environment and atmosphere always just turn me up. Texas Southern's got something waiting for them."
Florida A&M vs Texas Southern ― Week 10, SWAC (Homecoming)
When: Saturday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
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Where: Bragg Memorial Stadium; Tallahassee, Florida
Broadcast: ESPN Plus, Rattlers mobile application
Tickets: Purchase Here
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 football WR Jamari Gassett emerges as heartbeat for the Rattlers
