A New Coaching Era
Florida A&M football has entered its 2026 preseason camp with a sense of renewal after the program announced Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. as its new head coach. The former Albany State standout returns to his alma mater after three seasons there, bringing a fresh philosophy and a clear focus on restoring the Rattlers’ competitive edge.
One of the most watched battles will be at wide receiver, where the staff must trim a field of fifteen candidates down to a single starter. Returning standouts Armand Burris, A’Ceon ‘Ace’ Cobb and Jamar Taylor are joined by transfers Quan Lee from Arkansas State and Corey ‘Deuce’ Petty from Albany State, while true freshman Maliek Denmark could earn early playing time after a strong high‑school career in Tallahassee.
The offensive line, which struggled with depth in the spring, now boasts twelve bodies on the roster, including recent transfers Mike Peterson and Chris Williams. Coach Gray emphasizes that finding the right combination will be crucial for a balanced attack, and the staff is experimenting with multiple line pairings to discover the most effective unit.
Defensively, the Rattlers have two starting defensive end spots up for grabs. Antonio Camon Jr., who led the team with four sacks last season, is expected to claim one position, while Syracuse transfer Caden Brown earned rave reviews during spring practices. Another newcomer, Isaiah Morrison from Albany State, adds depth to a group that Coach Gray hopes can rotate aggressively to keep opponents off balance.
The 2026 schedule was also released, opening with a home game against Albany State on Aug. 29 at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The matchup will serve as the first test for Gray’s revamped roster and will be broadcast across the USA TODAY Network.