'Be ready': NFL Rattlers share experiences, offer advice to FAMU football draft hopefuls

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'Be ready': NFL Rattlers share experiences, offer advice to FAMU football draft hopefuls

Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat · Tallahassee Democrat

Fri, Apr 28, 2023 ·

10 min read

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259 college football players will see a dream realized during the three-day NFL Draft that starts Thursday.

That list includes Florida A&M football linebacker Isaiah Land ― the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award winner , which is presented to the best defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Land is currently projected as a sixth or seventh round pick by NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein .

If selected, Land would become the first Rattler taken in the Draft since Brandon Hepburn in 2013.

"Giving guys an opportunity to play at the highest level is one of the pillars of building us a great program," FAMU head coach Willie Simmons said. "We're excited about the possibility of them accomplishing an ultimate goal ― which is hearing your name called on draft or at least being invited to training camp as free agents.

"The potential to have guys on NFL rosters next season is a testament to the growth of this program and everybody involved. I'm excited to see what's next for them."

Other Rattlers that will be considered for draft selections include wide receiver Xavier Smith , cornerback BJ Bohler , and kicking specialists Jose Romo-Martinez and Chris Faddoul .

FAMU has a long line of players that have made it to the NFL, with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver 'Bullet' Bob Hayes (2009) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken 'The Rattler' Riley (2023) earning Pro Football Hall of Fame nods.

With a rich history of football and an abundance professional players, Rattler stars of yesterday offered advice to their alma mater's NFL hopefuls ahead of the draft, which runs from Thursday to Saturday.

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Markquese Bell ― FAMU Defensive Back, Entering second year in the NFL

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (41) celebrates an interception in preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Friday, August 26, 2022

Markquese Bell is the most recent NFL Rattler.

He went undrafted in 2022, but was immediately signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) following the draft.

He stood out in every camp and preseason opportunity, which led him to make the team's 53-man roster . Bell played most of his snaps on the special teams unit during the 2022 season.

"I would encourage all guys who anticipate being drafted to be patient with the process," Bell said. "Don't get discouraged if the clock strikes midnight and your name hasn't been called. Continue to believe in yourself.

"If you're fortunate and blessed to to have an opportunity to walk into any NFL locker room, take full advantage of the opportunity with humility and gratitude. Learn the system as fast as you can and be unselfish by playing a role that you are not accustomed to.

"Don't frown on making your mark as a special teams guy because you can be a major impact for your team and organization."

Florida A&M safeties Markquese Bell (5) and Antwan Collier (3) celebrate making a hit in the Florida Classic. FAMU defeated the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 46-21 at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.

Bell starred on Simmons' Dark Cloud Defense as a converted wide receiver to safety transfer. He played two seasons at FAMU and earned All-American honors.

Bell's in-game performance earned him an invite to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

"Playing in college was all fun and games," Bell said. "The game was so exciting at FAMU because we made it fun as a brotherhood. The NFL is fun too, but it's also a business. The responsibilities are greater and your livelihood can be challenged from an economic standpoint."

Bell, 24, isn't too far removed from playing at FAMU. He was just teammates with FAMU's current crop of NFL aspirants in his final college season in 2021.

"I'm super proud of my Rattler brothers having an opportunity to live their dreams," he said. "I pray that we all succeed and have long, successful careers as professional football players. The football world should look out for more Rattlers coming to Strike, Strike and Strike Again!

"We are FAMULY. Rattlers for life! Blessings to them all. Go beyond the call of duty in everything on the field with maximum effort."

Quinn Gray ― FAMU Quarterback, Played seven years in the NFL

Quinn Gray is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in FAMU history.

Gray, who shined under head coach Billy Joe's Gulf Coast offense , holds a multitude of program passing records. His passing yards record was broken after nearly two decades by former FAMU quarterback Ryan Stanley in 2019.

Following his college career, Gray went on to have a eight-year professional football career ― seven of those were spent in the NFL as he played the majority of it with the Jacksonville Jaguars for six years.

"They have to transition their mindset and understand that it's no longer playing ball at a school ― they have to understand it's a business," Gray said. "If they treat it like that, they'll definitely have an upper hand because a lot times, kids go into that situation not knowing how much of a business it is and taking it for granted because of the money that's associated with it.

"These guys are going to be paid professional athletes and be tasked with making sure that their bodies are where they need to be year-round. Nothing is going to be given to them."

After having a MEAC and FAMU Sports Hall of Fame career, Gray went undrafted in 2002. But he was invited to the Jaguars' training camp.

He utilized every opportunity to play which included being assigned to NFL Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy ― l eading the team to a World Bowl XI title win .

"However you get there is an opportunity," Gray said. "I still made a career out of being able to bet on myself and take advantage of the best opportunity that was out there with the teams that were calling. If you get drafted in those top four rounds ― great. But over the years, you realize if you're a fifth, sixth, or seventh round pick, you're kind of expendable and sort of a roster filler.

"So, those guys that end up being undrafted free agents get to pick where they want to go and look at team's roster to choose their best opportunity to make a 53-man roster. Obviously, you want to hear your name called by (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell . But the opportunity to show your talents and fight for a position is all you can ask for."

Gray, 42, is now the head coach of Division II HBCU Albany State Golden Rams . He's entering the first season with the team.

But he still bleeds Citrus Orange and Agricultural Green and proud to see FAMU have prospects with chances to play in the NFL starting with this week's draft.

"First and foremost, they're putting on for their families and people that have supported them throughout their career," Gray said. "It's always wonderful to see our young Rattlers represent and put on for the university. It's tremendous because it's hard to make it to NFL from where we come from.

"I'll definitely be tuning in to see if they get drafted because that shows the work and effort that they've put in and now it shows that the NFL is truly recognizing the talents that are on the HBCU level.

"It's a blessing and I'm happy for them."

Brandon Hepburn ― FAMU linebacker, 2013 draftee, Played four years in the NFL

Brandon Hepburn was the last player to be drafted from FAMU.

He was selected in the seventh round to the Detroit Lions in 2013 after an All-MEAC linebacker career under head coach Joe Taylor .

Hepburn played four years in the NFL which included stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys along with the Lions.

"Getting to the league is the easy part. Staying in it is the hard part," he said. "The most important thing is playing with confidence and knowing that although we come from a place that not so many people may know, your brand of football is your film that put on to put coaches on notice of who you are.

"Understanding your market and the business side of the game is important. But don't lose sight of the competitive edge to be the best you can be on the field."

There's a sense of pressure for drafted players to pan out. Hepburn experienced how it felt from a player's perspective after being drafted in the final round.

"There's less margin for you to make mistakes and have any type of grace," he said. "The fate of somebody in the fifth round isn't dissimilar to somebody in the sixth or seventh round. It's about understanding the opportunity and not taking a day for granted because you belong to be there and worked to be there, but that's not going to keep you.

"What you do on film really matters because people judge others on their actions, but judge themselves on their intent."

Florida A&M football linebacker Brandon Hepburn prepares for a play against Oklahoma at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012

Hepburn, 33, now resides in Baltimore but has become familiar with Land's game.

Land primarily played defensive end in college, but will likely play the linebacker position in the NFL like Hepburn did. Land's versatility will could be integral to his longevity and production in the NFL.

"He's got a lot of ability ― some speed and a quick first step," Hepburn said. "That versatility is paramount. In the game today, it's the more you can do. You can't get too attached just to one role because you might be called on to do some different things.

"Understanding and excelling at that will elongate your days."

Nate Newton ― FAMU lineman, Played 12 years in the NFL

Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Bandits in the 1983 USFL Territorial Draft, offensive lineman Nate Newton elected to sign with Washington instead. After a training injury he was waived and returned to the Bandits. Newton eventually joined the Dallas Cowboys and won three Super Bowls.

Nate Newton may have taken the most unconventional route to the NFL.

He went undrafted in 1983 after an All-MEAC career at FAMU, but signed with the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) as an undrafted free agent before being waived ahead of the season.

Then, Newton went to play for the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits for two years which would be a launching pad for a 14-year NFL career that included three Super Bowl wins and two First-Team All-Pro nods with the Cowboys.

"Be ready," Newton said. "This league gives second chances, but those seem to go to the top picks. What normally hurt guys from smaller schools is that they don't go in focused enough. The window is so much smaller now than it was for me. If you're not stashed somewhere on a practice squad or not in the USFL, you can get lost in the shuffle and be out of this thing in about two years.

"You have to 100 percent about your business like how Markquese Bell was last year."

Newton played under head coach Rudy Hubbard at FAMU and was on the 1979 Rattlers football team that defeated the Miami Hurricanes inside of Tallahassee's Doak Campbell Stadium.

Newton, who still lives in Texas, was the big man on campus at the Highest of Seven Hills, but he learned quickly that he had to suppress his bravado and lock in on the mental aspect of football to have a lengthy career.

"The mental part got me," Newton, 61, said. "You may was the man at FAMU, but you're going to be on the bottom of the totem pole in the NFL. The arrogance or off-the-field cockiness won't work on the next level. No extra film, being late to a meeting ― that won't work on the next level.

"Coming from small colleges, you have to be conscious that the games are going to be much faster. You have to go in humble, but confident and believe in your ability to get on somebody's team and work hard for the next few years."

The NFL Draft will take place at Union Station Kansas City (Missouri). First round selections will be picked on Thursday, April 27 at 8 p.m. The second and third round is on Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. The fourth through seventh round happens on Saturday, April 29 at noon. ― Eastern Time .

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.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Former Rattlers, NFL players share wisdom to draft hopefuls

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