- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 404,469
- Reaction score
- 43
Newly graduated Florida A&M football players are one step closer to realizing their dreams.
On Thursday, 14 former Rattlers participated in FAMU football’s 2025 Pro Day on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Twelve NFL and two Canadian Football League teams, the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, were at Bragg to scout the Rattlers.
“These guys won championships, paid their dues, won many football games for us, and graduated,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“Happy for the guys to get this opportunity. We had a great turnout from the NFL and a couple of teams from the CFL. From what I and the NFL scouts saw, we have some very good football players on this team.”
FAMU has become a hotbed for NFL talent.
Currently, the NFL features four FAMU football alumni ― Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys), Terrell Jennings (New England Patriots), Isaiah Land (Indianapolis Colts), and Xavier Smith (Los Angeles Rams).
Jennings, entering his second NFL season, was at Bragg on Thursday to support his former FAMU football teammates.
“Those guys have paved the way and shown the scouts that we have quality football players and NFL-type players here,” Colzie said of the FAMU’s former players in the NFL.
“And it’s also a great recruiting tool for us because it shows you can come here, graduate, and get an opportunity to play at the next level to make some money.”
Nowadays, HBCU football players have ample opportunities to perform before NFL scouts during the pre-draft process.
For example, this February, five FAMU players did the HBCU NFL Combine and played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl, a postseason all-star game for the top draft-eligible players out of Black Colleges.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson won the HBCU Legacy Bowl’s Offensive Most Valuable Player award, becoming the third Rattler to win an MVP in the game’s four-year history.
At Pro Day, Richardson was noticeably more slimmed down and toned. He said he’s lost over 20 pounds since playing his final game at FAMU, crediting cardio and pool work for his weight loss.
Richardson ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at FAMU’s Pro Day.
“I felt like I got better at everything from the HBCU Combine. I wanted to show scouts that I can improve,” Richardson said. “I felt like I killed it today.”
FAMU cornerback Kendall Bohler also participated in last month’s HBCU NFL Combine and Legacy Bowl. He played in the Hula Bowl this January, too.
At FAMU’s Pro Day, Bohler clocked impressive marks of a 35-inch vertical and a 4.63-second 40-yard dash.
He may be FAMU’s most highly-touted NFL prospect, as he earned HBCU All-American honors and was named one of the best cornerbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“All my numbers from the HBCU Combine excelled,” Bohler said. “It’s been a long journey. I’ve been training since January. I’m glad I came here to Pro Day and did well.”
Thursday was a meaningful day for FAMU tight end Jeremiah Pruitte.
It wasn’t just Pro Day; the 6-foot-6 pass catcher also celebrated his 24th birthday.
“I truly believe there are no coincidences in this life, and God blessed me with this being on my birthday,” Pruitte said. “It’s always good being at Bragg ― energy’s high, vibes high. Today went well.”
As for FAMU running back Kelvin Dean Jr., he wants to be the next Rattler to join the NFL fraternity. Also, Dean is aiming to be Tallahassee’s next NFL product.
Last year, Tallahassee native Terrion Arnold was drafted 24th overall by the Detroit Lions.
“I’m praying every day that I’m next,” said Dean, a Rickards High School alumnus. “I felt like I gave myself a good chance, and it’s going to be big time being a Rattler in the NFL and a local guy from Tallahassee right around the corner from Rickards.”
The NFL Draft runs from Thursday, April 24, until Sunday, April 26.
Multiple FAMU players say they have met with most NFL teams.
Some will also be on the lookout for some CFL Pro Days and contract opportunities.
“It’s helped my draft stock,” Bohler said of the pre-draft process. “It feels good being in this position. I will continue working out, grinding, and waiting for my time to come. Whoever calls my name is going to get a dog.”
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football has 14 players perform at Pro Day for NFL, CFL scouts
Continue reading...
On Thursday, 14 former Rattlers participated in FAMU football’s 2025 Pro Day on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Twelve NFL and two Canadian Football League teams, the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, were at Bragg to scout the Rattlers.
“These guys won championships, paid their dues, won many football games for us, and graduated,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“Happy for the guys to get this opportunity. We had a great turnout from the NFL and a couple of teams from the CFL. From what I and the NFL scouts saw, we have some very good football players on this team.”
FAMU has become a hotbed for NFL talent.
You must be registered for see images attach
Currently, the NFL features four FAMU football alumni ― Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys), Terrell Jennings (New England Patriots), Isaiah Land (Indianapolis Colts), and Xavier Smith (Los Angeles Rams).
Jennings, entering his second NFL season, was at Bragg on Thursday to support his former FAMU football teammates.
You must be registered for see images attach
“Those guys have paved the way and shown the scouts that we have quality football players and NFL-type players here,” Colzie said of the FAMU’s former players in the NFL.
“And it’s also a great recruiting tool for us because it shows you can come here, graduate, and get an opportunity to play at the next level to make some money.”
FAMU football players' numbers from past workouts improve at Pro Day
Nowadays, HBCU football players have ample opportunities to perform before NFL scouts during the pre-draft process.
For example, this February, five FAMU players did the HBCU NFL Combine and played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl, a postseason all-star game for the top draft-eligible players out of Black Colleges.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson won the HBCU Legacy Bowl’s Offensive Most Valuable Player award, becoming the third Rattler to win an MVP in the game’s four-year history.
You must be registered for see images attach
At Pro Day, Richardson was noticeably more slimmed down and toned. He said he’s lost over 20 pounds since playing his final game at FAMU, crediting cardio and pool work for his weight loss.
Richardson ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at FAMU’s Pro Day.
“I felt like I got better at everything from the HBCU Combine. I wanted to show scouts that I can improve,” Richardson said. “I felt like I killed it today.”
You must be registered for see images attach
FAMU cornerback Kendall Bohler also participated in last month’s HBCU NFL Combine and Legacy Bowl. He played in the Hula Bowl this January, too.
At FAMU’s Pro Day, Bohler clocked impressive marks of a 35-inch vertical and a 4.63-second 40-yard dash.
He may be FAMU’s most highly-touted NFL prospect, as he earned HBCU All-American honors and was named one of the best cornerbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“All my numbers from the HBCU Combine excelled,” Bohler said. “It’s been a long journey. I’ve been training since January. I’m glad I came here to Pro Day and did well.”
FAMU football's Jeremiah Pruitte, Kelvin Dean Jr. leaning on faith in NFL hopes
You must be registered for see images attach
Thursday was a meaningful day for FAMU tight end Jeremiah Pruitte.
It wasn’t just Pro Day; the 6-foot-6 pass catcher also celebrated his 24th birthday.
“I truly believe there are no coincidences in this life, and God blessed me with this being on my birthday,” Pruitte said. “It’s always good being at Bragg ― energy’s high, vibes high. Today went well.”
As for FAMU running back Kelvin Dean Jr., he wants to be the next Rattler to join the NFL fraternity. Also, Dean is aiming to be Tallahassee’s next NFL product.
Last year, Tallahassee native Terrion Arnold was drafted 24th overall by the Detroit Lions.
“I’m praying every day that I’m next,” said Dean, a Rickards High School alumnus. “I felt like I gave myself a good chance, and it’s going to be big time being a Rattler in the NFL and a local guy from Tallahassee right around the corner from Rickards.”
When can FAMU football players get selected in the 2025 NFL draft?
You must be registered for see images attach
The NFL Draft runs from Thursday, April 24, until Sunday, April 26.
Multiple FAMU players say they have met with most NFL teams.
Some will also be on the lookout for some CFL Pro Days and contract opportunities.
“It’s helped my draft stock,” Bohler said of the pre-draft process. “It feels good being in this position. I will continue working out, grinding, and waiting for my time to come. Whoever calls my name is going to get a dog.”
Was your favorite football team at Florida A&M's 2025 Pro Day?
You must be registered for see images attach
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Commanders
- BC Lions
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football has 14 players perform at Pro Day for NFL, CFL scouts
Continue reading...
