To commence the celebration,
Interim Athletic Director John Eason took the stage to explain that the winner
mentality in Simmons, is exactly what he was looking for in a new head coach.
“I did not want an average guy. I
wanted someone to be a part of us that was used to winning, that had high
expectations of himself, his staff, and his players.” said Eason. “That is why
the young man from Quincy, Florida is your new head football coach.”
Under Simmons, the Rattlers will
tout an experienced coaching staff to include former Alabama A&M head
football coach, James Spady; Kenneth Gilstrap, who left high school with the
third best 100-meter dash time in the nation, and several others who Simmons
brought along from Prairie View A&M.
As for the recruits, Simmons was
excited about his freshly committed class, stating that he and his staff
endured many sleepless nights and traveled both near and far, to not only usher
in top talent, but also feed winners into the program on the highest of seven
hills.
The 2018 class will encompass explosive running backs, hard-hitting linebackers, a few JuCo transfers, some double sport athletes and four All-Big Bend players including Big Bend Offensive player of the Year, Derrick Staten Jr from Madison County High School.
“They understand what it means to
be a part of a winning tradition, and what it means to get up at six in the
morning to workout and lift weights,” said Simmons. “We don’t have to pull
these guys’ arms to make them understand what a winning culture is. They
already know what hard work is, they already know what winning is, they already
know what success is and to me that’s the winning formula.”
National Signing Day attendee Donna
Washington expressed her sentiments on what is to come.
“I think we have a good coach. He
seems to be very excited about his position, his team, and excited about his
coaching staff, and from looking out in the audience you can see that everybody
is excited that he is here,” said Washington.
In addition to 24 signees and a
rookie coaching staff, the upcoming season will introduce six home games, and
the first ever million dollar athletic campaign to benefit the student-athletes
at FAMU.
2018 FAMU Football Recruits
First Round (as of 5:00 p.m. ET-
Feb.7)
Le'John Howard QB 6'2" 180
McDonogh 35 HS (LA) Davonne "Bo" Kendrick
RB 5'10" 195 Miami Northwestern HS Derrick Staten, Jr.
RB 5'8" 165 Madison County HS Eddie Tillman, III
RB 5'11" 180 McDonogh 35 HS (LA) Ferante Cowart
WR 5'9" 165 Rickards HS David Manigo WR 6'3" 185
Towers HS (GA) George Webb WR 5'10" 165
Raines HS Cameron Covin OL 6'5" 285
Lee County HS (GA) Stephen Nagbe OL 6'2" 290
Lake Mary HS Courtney Perkins OL 6'3"
295 Monroe HS (GA) Bradley Weatherington OL
6'3" 275 Vanguard HS Abu Bangura DL 6'3" 250
Stockbridge HS (GA) Brice Ingram DL 6'1" 245
Dr. Phillips HS Justin Cooks DL 6'4" 250
Durant HS Tony Mills DL 6'2" 270
Columbus HS Richard Summers DL 6'3"
310 Godby HS Isaiah Land DL 6'4" 210
Grayson HS (GA) Demetrius Powell LB 6'1"
225 ASA College (NY) / Blake HS Quinlan Gatlin LB 6'2" 225
Hillsborough HS Kyle Jackson LB 6'1" 215
St. Augustine HS (LA) Chris Metayer DB 6'3" 195
Miami Central HS Tim Williams DB 6'1" 175
Dr. Krop HS Eric "Dank" Smith DB
5'10" 170 Miami Norland HS Herman "Tre" Jackson,
III DB 5'11" 175 Miami Southridge HS Jordan Dillard
DB 6'2" 175 Miami Southridge HS