When the FAMU Rattlers take on the Howard Bison this afternoon for the HBCU national championship in the Celebration Bowl, they will do so with a lot of local flavor. Nearly two dozen Rattlers hail from the Big Bend or south Georgia, and they’re not just on the roster. They’re in the box score every Saturday.
Guys like Marcus Riley,Jaquez Yant, Javan Morgan, Kamari Young, Trey Wilhoit, and so many more.
“Every year, we want to start out recruiting right here, locally,” said FAMU head football coach Willie Simmons.
“These kids have taken it to the top, and that’s what it’s all about,” said former Godby head coach Corey Fuller, who coached several now Rattlers when they played for the Cougars. “It should give hope to the kids in the surrounding area that you have a chance to play for either Florida A&M or Florida State.”
“I think it’s a tremendous job for him and his staff to keep those local guys here and develop them so they can have the kind of year they’re having,” said Florida High head football coach Jarrod Hickman.
FAMU is having a historic year led by backyard talent. Two of the Rattlers top three rushers? From Tallahassee. Three of their top four receivers? Also from the Capital City.
“They’ve swept most of the awards the last few weeks and that speaks to the talent level here in Tallahassee, which doesn’t get the respect that other parts of the state get, but we’re letting everyone know we play good ball up here in north Florida as well,” said Simmons.
Respect that’s deserved, and now, the local guys are looking to lead FAMU to a Celebration Bowl victory.