Helping Hands: FAMU football seniors assists transfers, 5 takeaways from first day of practice

Day 1 is in the books.

Florida A&M football opened fall practice Friday morning at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The Rattlers battled Florida’s 85-degree heat as returners got back in the swing of things and newcomers spent their first day adapting.

Coach Willie Simmons was delighted with his team’s effort.

“It feels good to be back on the field,” the fifth-year FAMU coach said through a hoarse voice.

“I thought we did some really good things and obviously there’s some things to clean up. That’s why we get 25 of these. I’m excited about the speed and athleticism of the team.

“After the first day, I feel pretty good about where we are.”

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Florida A&M University quarterback Rasean McKay (17) attempts a pass during first fall practice, July 29, 2022

Last one, Best one

In the midst of a quarterback battle, Rasean McKay is still being looked at as a leader.

The redshirt senior commanded the first-team offense and spread exuberance to offset any first-day jitters.

“This is the biggest year that I’ve ever had in my football career,” McKay said.

“Everybody is looking at me to be a leader and to bring good energy. When something’s going wrong, I can’t show it out here and stay on top. I got people like ‘Moose’ (Jeremy Moussa), Junior (Muratovic), and Jacory Jordan out here with me. When they’re in the game, I wish the best for them. I want to do what Ryan (Stanley) did for me when he hoped for the best for me.

“I love it. That’s just the position that I play,” he said.

McKay is contending with Jeremy Moussa and Junior Muratovic as the main candidates to take snaps this season. Trey Fisher, Jacory Jordan, and Cameron Sapp are also contending for the starter’s role.

Simmons, who works directly with the quarterbacks, is watching for consistency, saying that is who will get the gameday reps.

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“They competed,” Simmons said.

“They did a good job of throwing the football and didn’t have a lot of errant throws. They’ve been here all summer for 7-on-7’s and installs, so it’s good to see that they retained a lot of the knowledge.

“Now, it’s about who can do it consistently over the course of 25 practice to give themselves the best chance to be named the started.”

Florida A&M University Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Joseph Henry looks on during first fall practice, July 29, 2022

The Protectors

With the loss of right guard Keenan Forbes, left tackle Jay Jackson Williams, and center Jalen Spady, McKay described the new-look offensive line as “tough.”

Replacing those departed athletes were Bryan Crawford, Florida State transfer Jalen Goss, and TJ Lee, Cesar Reyes and preseason All-SWAC second-team selection Cameron Covin lined up at the left guard and right tackle spots to round out the line for new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joseph Henry.

“Every time I looked at them, they were going hard — even until after the whistle,” McKay said. “They’re working hard and in the film room with coach Henry studying for this year.

“Offense has to step up this year. All eyes will be on us to make sure everything goes in play.

“The fans are expecting us to put on a show.”

Florida A&M University linebacker Isaiah Land (31) goes through drill during first fall practice, July 29, 2022

Land embracing the leadership

Reigning Buck Buchanan winner Isaiah Land missed spring practice due to having a surgical procedure.

He made his return to the green turf for the first day of practice.

“It feels good to get back on my feet and get back running with the team,” the 2021 NCAA Division I sack champion said. “I feel a lot more faster, explosive, and have a lot more flexibility when I bend around the edge.”

After flirting with the transfer portal, he decided to remain at FAMU for his final season of college football and couldn’t have been happier with his choice.

“I was going to miss the atmosphere and being around my brothers. I remember my first time walking out here and the memories made,” Land said.

“I just couldn’t see myself playing my last year of college football with a new team, new jersey, and new campus and atmosphere.”

With the national recognition Land gets, he’s no longer running away from being the example and on the forefront for his teammates. Paired with leading workouts, the senior edge rusher is becoming more vocal to train whoever gets the torch passed to them following his departure.

“I really didn’t want to be a leader before. My teammates helped me become a leader and made me pick up that role. They want me to say something. Before, I’d let other people have that role, but now I see the importance of it. It feels good that they follow my lead,” he said.

“Our team is way more player-led than it used to be. It’s a lot of stuff that coach had to speak on that we now handle as players. I feel like that’s going to make us a championship team. For the past two years, we’ve had a championship-caliber team, but didn’t have the discipline and the leadership.

“I have no problem with following somebody, but now it’s my turn to lead and I have to be ready for that.”

Florida A&M University cornerback B.J. Bohler (11) stands on sideline with teammates during first fall practice, July 29, 2022

Big Brother Bohler

B.J. Bohler is a leader of the secondary of a defense that also features his younger brother, sophomore Kendall Bohler.

The senior earned preseason All-SWAC first-team honors as he will likely be appointed to guard opponent’s best receiver.

He appreciates the recognition, but he won’t let that change who is on the field or belittle his teammates that are so heavily counting on him.

“I love all the attention and accolades, but I don’t let that take away from who I am, B.J. Bohler, number 11,” he said.

“I’m trying to keep my eyes on the bigger picture and being a leader to the guys on the field. I’m going into my senior season ready to make a statement for myself.”

Florida A&M University quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) attempts a pass during first fall practice, July 29, 2022

Welcome to the Hill

The NCAA Transfer Portal was of service to the Rattlers during the offseason.

They have 25 newcomers on the team by the way of the portal. Some of them just arrived to Tallahassee just days ahead of practice and are getting acclimated to their new team.

“A lot of them are swimming right now to keep up with the tempo and understand what we’re doing. For some this is their second or third day on campus and it’s a lot for a guy that just walked on campus for the first time,” Simmons said.

“They’re all smart football players, so we feel like they’ll catch up quickly.”

Simmons is looking to his veteran players to help him in taking in the new Rattlers.

“The leadership comes from within on any great team. Guys like Rasean, Xavier Smith, Isaiah Smith, Bryan Crawford, and Nadarius Fagan know what the standard is and expectations are and will pull those new guys along even a lot faster than the coach,” he said.

McKay goes the extra mile by reaching out to new transfers before they even arrive to town.

“We all know who’s coming before they get on campus,” he said. “I’ll DM them on Instagram get their number to chop it up with them and tell them what type of ‘FAMUly’ they’re coming into.

“It’s a brotherhood and it’s all love.”

With the Markquese Bell and Antwan Collier graduating, Bohler and Land knows it will be tough to replace the hard hitting safety duo. But they know that the Rattlers have capable pickups to plug those gaps to help the holdover defensive backs Kortney Cox, Lovie Jenkins, and Javan Morgan.

“Those are some one of a kind guys, but we picked up some really key elements. We got some transfers from Tulsa (Lamar Mullins), Alabama A&M (Jordan Cumberbatch) to replace them,” Bohler said.

“We got way more depth than we had last year, so there won’t be too much of a dropoff from second string to even third string. We’re looking good and coming after it.”

“I know we’re deep in the corner room and the nickels. We just need two safeties to come step up. We got a lot of a good safeties, but we’re used to good,” Land said.

“Bell and A.C. were not just good, they were great. They got to take it to the next level to replace that and I see them taking up that task to fill in that role. We got so much stronger in the LB and corner room, so I feel like it’s going to make up for that anyway.

“The defense looks way more explosive and it’s a lot of new talent and got that ‘dog’ in them with something to prove.”

Injuries

Senior wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread was wearing a walking boot on his left leg; didn’t dress out for practice.

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Observations from the first day of 2022 fall practice