Florida A&M’s football program, once a staple of the SWAC, finished the 2025 campaign with a 5‑7 record, marking its first losing season since 2017. The Rattlers responded by appointing Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. as head coach in December, the man who guided Albany State to a Black College Football National Championship and a 24‑11 record over three seasons.
Rebuilding the Rattlers
Gray brings a proven track record and a personal connection to the team, having recruited graduate‑student quarterback Isaiah Knowles from Albany State. Knowles, a two‑time SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, arrives with nearly 5,000 passing yards and 61 touchdowns over the past two seasons, promising a pro‑style attack that could revitalize the offense.
The Rattlers have also assembled a player‑led leadership council, with redshirt senior running back Jamal Hailey at its forefront. Hailey, who logged 516 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, says the new camaraderie in the locker room feels markedly different from the previous year, describing an energy that could translate into on‑field cohesion.
The schedule reflects a challenging slate, beginning with a season‑opening showdown against Albany State at Bragg Memorial Stadium on August 29. Subsequent conference battles against South Carolina State, Miami, Tennessee State, and Alabama A&M will test the team’s progress, while the home opener will be staged at Ken Riley Field, the historic venue that has hosted countless Rattler triumphs.
Adding another layer of context, the program is currently under an NCAA Level Two Academic Progress Rate postseason ban, a penalty that underscores the academic pressures facing the university. Nevertheless, the team entered the inaugural Black College Football Poll at No. 10 and sits fourth in the SWAC East, a positioning that fuels optimism among players and staff alike.