Florida A&M University (FAMU) football is igniting its 2025 campaign with high expectations, as preseason training camp officially commenced, bringing renewed vigor to the Rattlers’ quest for gridiron supremacy. Head Coach James Colzie III has expressed considerable enthusiasm regarding a fresh cohort of transfer athletes, poised to significantly bolster the team’s depth and on-field performance for the upcoming season.
Training camp serves as a critical proving ground for all players, offering a rigorous environment where veterans and newcomers alike strive to impress the coaching staff and earn coveted starting positions. For the newly arrived transfers, this period is particularly vital, as they integrate into the team’s system and demonstrate their capabilities to make an immediate impact within the FAMU football program.
Among the key offensive additions attracting attention are quarterbacks RJ Johnson III and Jett Peddy. Johnson, hailing from Torrance, California, has already garnered a substantial share of practice repetitions, showcasing his command of the FAMU offense. Peddy, another promising signal-caller, joined the team later in the offseason but is quickly adapting, providing valuable competition and depth at the quarterback position.
The wide receiver corps has also received a significant boost with the arrival of Jamar Taylor Jr. A former Division I standout from Temple, Taylor made an instant impression on Coach Colzie and his staff during the initial days of camp. His exceptional pass-catching abilities and professional demeanor have marked him as a potential game-changer for the Rattlers’ aerial attack.
Defensively, the Rattlers welcome Jason Riles Jr., a linebacker who brings valuable experience from his tenure at the University of Alabama Birmingham between 2022 and 2024. His proven track record and defensive prowess are expected to fortify FAMU’s linebacker unit, adding a layer of seasoned talent to the core.
The secondary is also set to benefit from the addition of cornerback Caleb McKenzie and safety TeQuan Latimore. McKenzie, who spent the spring with FAMU, is a strong contender for a starting cornerback spot, drawing upon his collegiate game experience from the South Dakota Coyotes (2022-2024). Latimore, while details on his specific contributions are still emerging, completes a formidable group of defensive transfers.
Coach Colzie’s optimism is palpable, reflecting on the dedication observed among his players. “We got a pretty good long list of guys that are turning up and doing the right thing,” he stated, emphasizing the collective effort. The challenge now, as he articulated, is the ability to “sustain” this early momentum throughout the demanding training camp and into the competitive 2025 season.
The first official day of preseason training camp for the 2025 season commenced on Friday, August 1, in Tallahassee, Florida, with the team taking the field again on Saturday, August 2. The rigorous schedule continues with the next practice slated for Sunday, August 3, as the FAMU Rattlers relentlessly prepare to integrate their new talent and build a cohesive, winning team.
