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FAMU football at SWAC Media Day: 3 burning questions the Rattlers should expect Wednesday
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- FAMU football at SWAC Media Day: 3 burning questions the Rattlers should expect Wednesday
It's time to talk football.
Florida A&M will be in Birmingham for Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Media Day on Wednesday, July 16.
Head coach James Colzie III, offensive lineman Ashton Grable, and defensive end Davion Westmoreland will represent the Rattlers at the annual media meet and greet .
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FAMU football is entering the 2025 season after a 7-5 output last year .
The upcoming season will be Colzie's second as head coach. The Rattlers open their 12-game regular season schedule against the Howard Bison on Aug. 30 at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium for the Orange Blossom Classic.
Many will want to know how the Rattlers plan to improve on last season's performance.
Here are some questions FAMU will likely get from the media in Birmingham.
What is the quarterback situation?
Who will begin the season as FAMU's starting quarterback will likely be the first and most asked question from all who aren't close to the situation.
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This offseason, the Rattlers added a handful of quarterbacks to their roster , including ones with college starting experience: Tyler Jefferson from Central Michigan and Jett Peddy out of Long Beach City College.
The Florida A&M Rattlers football team hold their annual spring game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday, April 12, 2025.
No one knows who FAMU's starting trigger man will be since training camp doesn't start for a few weeks.
However, that won't stop the question from being raised.
What will be FAMU football's identity this season?
Florida A&M Rattlers offensive lineman Ashton Grable (71) pregame of playing the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023
Last year, the Rattlers often had trouble finding out who they were as a football team.
FAMU football seems to have figured that out heading into the 2025 season.
And it's right in front of everybody to see.
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The Rattlers are bringing two Preseason All-SWAC First Team linemen to media day in Grable and Westmoreland. Grable was an NCAA All-HBCU selection last year, while Westmoreland led the Rattlers with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
So, it's likely that FAMU wants to be a smashmouth and physical team that dominates both sides of the line of scrimmage.
What is second-year coach James Colzie III's expectations of FAMU football in 2025?
Last season's FAMU football season left many, including Colzie, disappointed, especially being a year removed from winning the Black College National title under former coach Willie Simmons .
Florida A&M’s head coach James Colzie III poses in front of the Florida Classic trophy at the end of the game at the Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
The 7-5 season led Colzie to alter his coaching staff, which includes new offensive, defensive, and special team coordinators .
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Henry Burris is now the offensive coordinator, Kenwick Thompson heads the defense, and Kevin Weston leads the special teams units.
The new hires allow Colzie to have his stamp on FAMU football.
Colzie's second year leading the program with his handpicked staff could heighten his and Rattlers fans' expectations for the 2025 season.
How to watch FAMU football at SWAC Media Day
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When: Wednesday, July 16 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time
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Channel: ESPN Plus, SWAC Digital Network (YouTube)
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More Info: FAMU football coach James Colzie III will do his virtual media session on YouTube at 1:10 p.m. Eastern 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 .
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football: SWAC Media Day to raise questions about QBs, expectations
