FAMU places five on NFL rosters to start 2024 season

When Willie Simmons came to FAMU in 2018, there was not a single FAMU player in the National Football League.  The last one to get drafted was Brandon Hepburn by the Detroit Lions in 2013 in the Joe Taylor era.  While there still were no players drafted in the Willie Simmons era, FAMU sent several undrafted free agents to the NFL during his tenure.

“When we came, we didn’t have a single scout to attend our Pro Day,” Simmons recalls.  “Fast forward to the Pro Days of Markquese Bell , Xavier Smith and Isaiah Land and virtually every team was there.”

Markquese Bell has resumed his stellar play for the Dallas Cowboys

The Rattlers had the opportunity to do something they haven’t done in a long time and that is to have four players on NFL rosters after solid preseasons.  On August 28 ^th as final rosters began to pan out, FAMU had achieved a successful turnaround of its fortunes in the NFL.

The biggest name of the group is 2023 Black College Football NFL Player of the Year in Bell.  His play last season was transcending as he showed his ability to be a hybrid player.  He is naturally a safety, but also played middle linebacker when the Cowboys were dealing with injuries.  He was the second-leading tackler on the team and distinguished himself as a breakthrough player.

Land has shown significant improvement during this preseason. Considered undersized when he entered the league, he has developed into a solid edge rusher for the Indianapolis Colts.

Wide receiver/kick returner Xavier Smith is on the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams

Smith, a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Rams, has seen increased activity in the preseason.  Known as a speedy athlete who turned in a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash at the HBCU Combine, Smith’s ability to run routes has developed him into a legitimate NFL wide receiver.  He was waived initially by the Rams, but they quickly snapped him up for a spot on the practice squad.

The fourth wheel on this equation is Terrell Jennings.  Jennings distinguished himself as the Rattlers’ go-to running back last season as he improved body composition, focus and speed.  Taken by the New England Patriots as a free agent, Jennings had two preseason games where he was the top rusher for the Patriots.  He was waived during the last cut, but within 24 hours he too was signed to the practice squad.

Additionally, the Rattlers also sent All-American quarterback Jeremy Moussa and All-SWAC receiver Marcus Riley to training camps.  Riley with the New York Jets and Moussa with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Riley has been retained by the Jets and has been placed on injured reserve.

Edge rusher Isaiah Land is with the Indianapolis Colts

Terrell Jennings has latched on to the New England Patriots’ practice squad

Simmons is pleased to see the attention garnered to the program.

“To me, part of building a championship is improving the graduation rate, win championships, and get guys to the highest level.  To go from our first year with zero scouts to four in league, two on active rosters is progress.  It not only took us as coaches, but the administration, supporters and alumni.  Everybody put in.  What’s good is that with the exception of Bell, all three were developed at FAMU from high school .  So many people forget that Xavier Smith came to us as a walk-on,” Simmons concluded.

The post FAMU places five on NFL rosters to start 2024 season appeared first on HBCU Gameday .