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A look ahead: Key dates leading up to defending HBCU football champions FAMU's 2024 season
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- A look ahead: Key dates leading up to defending HBCU football champions FAMU's 2024 season
College football is a continuous schedule to prelude the first regular season game.
So, Florida A&M has been on the move since the confetti fell in last December's Celebration Bowl , where the Rattlers represented and won de facto Black College National Championship on behalf of the Southwestern Athletic Conference .
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Now, the Rattlers have a new head football coach in James Colzie III , who's currently navigating his first offseason at the helm.
Here are some critical dates across college football and for Colzie's FAMU Rattlers football program.
February 28: James Colzie III makes first 220 Quarterback Club appearance as FAMU football head coach
The Old West Florida Enrichment Center is expected to be packed with Orange and Green as Colzie is the keynote speaker of Feb. 28's 220 Quarterback Club luncheon.
It'll be the first 220 Quarterback Club luncheon since former Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons was given an honorary lifetime membership to the Tallahassee Quarterback Club on Dec. 20, joining revered football coaches Jake Gaither of FAMU and Bobby Bowden of Florida State as the only three to get the honor.
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The 220 Quarterback Club, led by its President Eddie Jackson , has been pivotal in investing money into FAMU's Athletics program.
Colzie plans to bring new FAMU football players to his first 220 Quarterback Club luncheon as head coach to introduce them to Rattler Nation.
FAMU fans and supporters can watch the 220 Quarterback Club on YouTube .
March 5: FAMU begins spring football practice
Florida A&M football goes through drills during the first day of spring practice at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Spring football is creeping up.
FAMU will start its spring football practices on March 5.
The NCAA allows 15 spring practices for college football teams for coaches to assess their teams.
April 13: FAMU hosts its annual spring football game
Rattler Nation will get their first look at FAMU football in a game-like setting under the Colzie regime.
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FAMU hosts its annual Orange versus Green Spring Football Game on April 13.
The Rattlers usually group assistant coaches for the Orange and Green teams draft their players to represent one of FAMU's colors.
The split-up teams will then meet in a simulated game.
Last season, the Green Team defeated the Orange Team 21-15 in overtime.
April 15: The spring transfer portal opens for limited time
Florida State Seminoles defensive back Demorie Tate (31) attempts to intercept the pass. The Florida State Seminoles hosted their annual Garnet and Gold spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
FAMU has adopted a 'reload and repeat' mindset heading into the 2024 football season.
So, getting more talent is critical to the Rattlers claiming the SWAC and Black College Football again.
The NCAA Transfer Portal reopens for players to enter on April 15, two days after FAMU's spring practice season ends.
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The portal closes on April 30. Graduate transfers can enter the portal at any time.
FAMU has already tackled the portal, gaining 11 transfers in Colzie's inaugural recruiting class . Nine of those transfers have Football Bowl Subdivision experience.
Colzie said during last week's National Signing Day that he hopes to add more offensive linemen and linebackers to the Rattlers' roster. Additionally, the first-year FAMU head coach will have more insight into his team to solidify portal needs following the spring practice season's conclusion.
July 16: SWAC Media Day
Florida A&M interim football coach James Colzie III is interviewed by Vaughn Wilson as the Rattlers are celebrated for winning the HBCU Celebration Bowl at the Al Lawson Center, Friday, January 12, 2024.
SWAC Media Day is a 'meet and greet' for the conference's head football coaches and best players.
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The SWAC has five new head coaches heading into 2024: FAMU, Alcorn State , Grambling State, Southern, and Texas Southern.
SWAC Media Day is usually held in Birmingham and ESPN typically streams the event.
To be announced: College football's fall training camp start
Training camp is the official beginning of college football teams gearing up for the regular season.
Teams are usually able to start meeting 30 days in advance of their first game of the season. With FAMU having a Week Zero game, its start date could be towards the end of July.
Aug. 24: FAMU football officially kicks off in Atlanta
The Rattlers' 2024 football season's 12-game slate will start where 2023 ended ― Atlanta.
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FAMU plays in Week Zero's MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Norfolk State at Center Parc Stadium (formerly the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field) on Aug. 24.
The Rattlers won the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta last December, beating the Howard Bison 30-26.
It will be the FAMU's first Week Zero game since traveling to the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2022.
FAMU and Norfolk State's clash of Division I HBCU conferences is one of five of the nation's Week Zero games .
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule
Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers players celebrate after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug. 24 vs. Norfolk State in MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Atlanta*
Aug. 31 vs. South Carolina State
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Sept. 7 at Miami
Sept. 21 at Troy
Sept. 28 vs. Alabama A&M
Oct. 5 at Alabama State
Oct. 19 at Jackson State
Oct. 26 vs. Southern
Nov. 2 vs. Texas Southern (HOMECOMING)
Nov. 9 at Prairie View A&M
Nov. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley State
Nov. 23 vs. Bethune-Cookman, Orlando*
BOLD = SWAC
* = Neutral Site
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: A calendar for the Rattlers leading up to 2024 season
