FAMU HARD KNOCKS: There's a brewing running back committee to boost the ground game

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FAMU HARD KNOCKS: There's a brewing running back committee to boost the ground game

Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat · Tallahassee Democrat

Thu, Aug 10, 2023 ·

5 min read

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In correspondence with the Florida A&M Rattlers ' Fall Football Training Camp (Aug. 4-Aug. 26), Tallahassee Democrat reporter Gerald Thomas, III will chronicle the team as it prepares for the 2023 season by providing practice reports, player and coach spotlights, and inside looks at the program as they become available. Thomas presents, 'FAMU HARD KNOCKS.'

It has been a week since the Florida A&M Rattlers reported for fall football training camp .

Sixth-year head coach Willie Simmons likes how his team is adjusting to the season's preparation through five practices.

"I thought the guys got some good work in," Simmons said following Wednesday's practice. "The tempo is getting better. Still not where it needs to be. But we're acclimatizing because that's what the first five or six days of training camp is for.

"I think the guys are starting to understand how to practice and did a much better job of protecting each other by staying off the ground. Defense continues to make plays. The offense is doing some good things, but still have to get in sync and be consistent."

Though the Rattlers are not overdoing the contact, practice still features a high level of intensity.

Simmons has acknowledged that this may be the deepest team he's had during his tenure at FAMU. Having that rich of a roster fuels competitive battles as players aim to be one of 11 starters on each side of the ball.

"Guys are competing. That's never really been our issue," Simmons said. "Our execution just has to match our intensity. We're going to play hard and compete.

"The emphasis is being able to execute for four quarters, so that's what we're working on."

After a ground game letdown in 2022, FAMU has bolstered its backfield and eyes improvement

The Florida A&M Rattlers football team has hit the field and kicked off the first practice of the fall season on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.

The Rattlers are building a three-headed monster in their backfield.

In response to finishing last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) rushing statistics, FAMU recruited and signed a handful of ball carriers.

Former local high school stars Kelvin Dean Jr. and Jaquez Yant headline the list of transfers. They join graduate student running back Terrell Jennings , who's earned significant playing time since arriving as a true freshman in 2019.

Dean, a redshirt senior, said he's excited to have his family in the stands of Bragg Memorial Stadium . He played at Rickards and transferred to FAMU from NCAA Division I-FBS Florida Atlantic.

"We're translating really good and we're coming along quicker than I expected," Dean said. "We're super explosive and have a lot of depth in the running back room. There's not much drop off from one to the other. Another team is going to have to scout us all differently because we're really diverse in the backfield.

"We all support each other and give each other a spark."

Yant, a redshirt junior, said returning to Tallahassee gives him that high school joy again. He's a Godby graduate and joined the Rattlers from FBS Nebraska .

"We're stacked. Everyone is special in their own way," Yant said. "We have different backs that can do whatever ― bulldozers, guys that are shifty, efficient, blow by, run you over ― whatever you want, we got it. I love it.

"We all kind of come as one and know what works and what doesn't."

Jennings is enjoying his new teammates as his prepares to play his final college football season with FAMU.

Alongside Dean and Yant, Jennings named freshman backs Levontai Summersett and Vershod Quinn as key pieces that posses a lot of upside.

"Those guys are nice," Jennings said of the newcomers. "It's my time, but it's still their time. You have some big, fast guys. Those guys are picking up the offense fast and they'll hold the torch up really well after I leave."

FAMU making sure that running backs are equipped to display versatile skillset

The Rattlers are emphasizing their running backs being able to rush out the backfield, but also catch passes.

Simmons, who spent time as a running backs coach at Middle Tennessee State and Alcorn State , knows the importance of having that versality.

"It's a huge emphasis of being able to run the football better. We finished last in the SWAC last year and that's totally unacceptable," Simmons said. "We're solid at quarterback and feel pretty good about our offensive line being able to protect. So, we have to prove that we can run the football effectively to keep us balanced and keeps teams from being able to emphasize defending the pass.

"The game of football is about matchups. So, if you're a one dimensional player, it's going to be really tough to get on the field. If you can't catch, you better be Adrian Peterson , Derrick Henry , Barry Sanders and those type of guys.

"All of these guys are dynamic and that's going to be an asset to us."

Dean showcased his hands on Wednesday.

Following a play where FAMU starting quarterback Jeremy Moussa was intercepted by safety Javan Morgan , the offense exemplified short-term memory. On the very next snap, Moussa found Dean racing down the sideline and connected for a touchdown.

"I came here to make plays," Dean said of the score. "I watch all the backs in that run routes out the backfield NFL like [Christian] McCaffrey . So, when 'Moose' threw that interception, I told him come on and let's make a play. Short term memory. Then we scored, celebrated, and moved forward.

"I think we're going to be really nice this year."

FAMU offensive run game coordinator and running backs coach Marcus Windham is assuring that his position group has sure hands. As a college football player, he played wide receiver at Division II program Southwest Baptist.

Additionally, he was a receivers coach at North Carolina Central and Delta State prior to FAMU.

"I'm very pleased where we're at right now," Windham said. "There's a lot of talent in the room and a lot of horses in the stable. These guys have a 'Me versus Me' attitude. They're all experienced and they trust the offensive line. We're slowing them down and getting their eyes in the right spot.

"I played a little receiver back in my days. We focus a lot on hand placement and where to watch the ball. We're all talking about relentless focus and getting to the endzone.

"We're excited about what we have coming in this fall."

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee .

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers running back aiming to boost ground attack

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