FAMU football racking up National Signing Day additions with more to come

Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat
·4 min read
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National Signing Day serves as the celebration for collegiate athletic stars of tomorrow to announce their higher learning destination.

And Florida A&M football has its share of stardom coming to the Highest of Seven Hills for the 2023 season headed by coach Willie Simmons and director of recruiting Devin Rispress.

"(Rispress) has done an amazing job of bringing prospective student-athletes to our campus. We truly believe if we can get them to campus, we have a chance. When you step foot on the Highest of Seven Hills, it does something to you," Simmons said.

"As we continue to recruit future generations, we're making sure that they can walk away with the feeling that FAMU is a first-class program and they can accomplish their goals here."

The Rattlers are finalizing verbal commitments with prospects on Wednesday's signing day to add to the 11 early signees from December's early period.

The full recruiting class will be released via social media.

"It's a phenomenal class of guys that we're really, really excited about," Simmons said. "They're really good students and young men that will continue to take this program to the next level."

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Gadsden County senior running back Cedric Byrd fends off a Lincoln defender in a game against Lincoln on Sept. 9, 2022, at Gene Cox Stadium. The Trojans won 33-0.
Gadsden County senior running back Cedric Byrd fends off a Lincoln defender in a game against Lincoln on Sept. 9, 2022, at Gene Cox Stadium. The Trojans won 33-0.

A trio of Big Bend Preps athletes to stay in Tallahassee for FAMU

The Rattlers have a connection to local high school student-athletes that no other school in the nation can match.

Therefore, some Big Bend prospects decide to stay in their backyard if FAMU comes knocking on the door to extend an offer.

Amos P. Godby defensive end Malakei Owens signed to FAMU on Wednesday morning, choosing the Rattlers over fellow Division I FCS football offers from Stetson University and Campbell.

Owens, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, tallied 24 tackles and two sacks for the Cougars.

The Rattlers had Gadsden County running back Cedric Byrd on board since early January when he announced his commitment.

Byrd reaffirmed his loyalty to the Rattlers via Twitter on National Signing Day, saying 'Great day to be a Rattler.'

He picked up 864 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns for the Jaguars last season.

Maclay's Michael Smith is also expected to sign to FAMU to be the program's first ever five-star kicker. Smith converted 31 of 32 PATs and scored 37 points for the Marauders.

University Christian running back Orel Gray signs with Florida A&M University for college football during National Signing Day on February 1, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
University Christian running back Orel Gray signs with Florida A&M University for college football during National Signing Day on February 1, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

Rattlers land an explosive duo on the offensive side from out of town

FAMU's offensive attack could be one of the most electric in college football for years to come.

The Rattlers struck big on All-First Coast offensive player of the year, running back Orel Gray of University Christian in Jacksonville.

Gray rushed for 2,064 yards and added 37 touchdowns for the Christians. He also picked off four passes on the defensive side of the ball.

On signing day eve, three-star wide receiver Robert Lockhart III announced that he is committed to FAMU.

On Wednesday, he announced that he signed his National Letter of Intent that completed his commitment.

Lockhart comes from Langston Hughes High School in the Atlanta area. He helped the Panthers win the Georgia High School Association Class 6A State Championship in December.

Lakeland Dreadnaughts (12) Twan Wilson tackles Manatee High School (15) Keyvon Reddick in first half action at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland Fl. Friday Sept. 3 2021. ERNST PETERS/ THE LEDGER
Lakeland Dreadnaughts (12) Twan Wilson tackles Manatee High School (15) Keyvon Reddick in first half action at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland Fl. Friday Sept. 3 2021. ERNST PETERS/ THE LEDGER

FAMU football's 2023 National Signing Day additions

Palm Beach Central (Wellington) defensive back Justin Bostic (three-star), 5-foot-11, 175 pounds

Gadsden County (Havana) running back Cedric Byrd, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds

University Christian (Jacksonville) running back Orel Gray (three-star), 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia) wide receiver Robert Lockhart III (three-star), 5-foot-6, 175 pounds

Amos P. Godby (Tallahassee) defensive end Malakei Owens, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds

Maclay (Tallahassee) kicker Michael Smith (five-star), 5-foot-11, 165 pounds

Lakeland defensive back Twan Wilson (three-star), 6-foot-2, 175 pounds

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers to release full 2023 signees as NLI's process