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FAMU pro football aspirants to showcase talent vs FBS Troy: 'That's why you come to play.'
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- FAMU pro football aspirants to showcase talent vs FBS Troy: 'That's why you come to play.'
Florida A&M has limited opportunities to compete against Football Bowl Championship teams.
However, the Rattlers secured two chances to showcase the program against FBS opponents this season.
FAMU faced Miami in Week 2, faltering 56-9 against the US LBM 11th-ranked Hurricanes.
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Now, the Rattlers (2-1) set their sights on the Troy Trojans (0-3) of the Sun Belt Conference.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama. ESPN Plus is broadcasting the Week 4 game.
Saturday is a realistic chance for FAMU, ranked 20th in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll, to reign victorious over the winless Troy.
It's also a shot for FAMU's professional football aspirants to make a good impression on scouts against FBS talent.
"It's for us players on the team to get some good exposure," said FAMU safety Deco Wilson , named a Boxtorow Preseason HBCU All-American, among other awards.
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"At an FCS school, putting that good film on tape in any game is always good. That's what the scouts are going to look at. That's why you come to play games like that ― to show you can play on that level."
FAMU's most touted NFL prospect this season is Kendall Bohler , a graduate student cornerback for the Rattlers.
Bohler earned HBCU All-American honors for his role in the Rattlers' Black College Football National Championship run last season. He's considered one of the best FCS cornerbacks.
This season, Bohler is looking to end his college career with a bang as he was named to Reese's Senior Bowl watchlist alongside teammate FAMU tight end Jeremiah Pruitte . The Senior Bowl is a showcase all-star game for draft-eligible players from all levels of college football, dominated mainly by FBS players.
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"A big opportunity for me to showcase my talent and go against the best of the best. I'm looking forward to it," Bohler said. "This is the game all scouts want to see if you can play with the big dogs."
FAMU football has a chance to beat FBS team Troy Trojans ― and impress NFL scouts
One of a coach's proudest moments is the season their players realize their dreams.
FAMU head coach James Colzie III knows all about going pro, having short stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in baseball, part of the Montreal Expos organization.
"Important to the scouts because when they grade the film and go through their evaluations with general managers and the front office, they will look at the film against Miami and Troy. They'll look at our other SWAC opponents, but normally [Miami and Troy] will have more guys in the NFL, and they're going to look at how our guys play against those individuals," Colzie said.
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"But regardless of who we play against, we always want to make sure we put good film up."
Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Kendall Bohler (3) intercepts a pass against the Howard Bison in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Colzie has been vital in Bohler's ascension as an All-American talent, as the current head coach initially arrived at FAMU to oversee the cornerbacks.
Lessons Bohler has learned will need to be utilized as he will likely be placed against Troy wide receiver Devonte Ross this Saturday.
Last week against Iowa, Ross caught five receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Ross added a 77-yard punt return touchdown against the Hawkeyes.
But Bohler isn't going to reinvent the wheel. He's going to do what's made him successful thus far.
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"Just play ball," Bohler said.
"I've been playing this sport for 10-11 years and have been great accolades and outcomes. So, if I go in there, don't think too much, and do my job, I'll do great."
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) gets ready to run a play during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
FAMU has 33 players who played at the FBS level, including its starting quarterback, Daniel Richardson . The graduate student played at Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic before coming to FAMU for his final year of eligibility.
Richardson, who quarterbacked FBS team CMU to a Sun Bowl victory in 2021, says Troy is another test for the Rattlers.
But adding quality clips to your highlight reel shouldn't be exclusive to when playing FBS teams, Richardson explained.
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Respect all opponents.
"No matter whom you play, you always want to put a good film on. You could be playing D2, D3 ― it doesn't matter what school," Richardson said. "It's just another opponent in our way."
Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3) ― Week 4
Florida A&M Rattlers take on South Carolina State in first home game of the season Thursday, August 31 2024.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama
Broadcast: ESPN Plus
Tickets: Purchase Here
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 players hoping to help NFL dreams vs FBS team Troy Trojans
