NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Penn State running back coach Ja’Juan Seider catches a ball during warmups before facing West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College.
No matter where life takes them, Florida A&M’s stars of yesteryear chase excellence even once they leave the Highest of Seven Hills.
Former Rattlers football All-American quarterback Ja’Juan Seider is two wins away from being a national champion as the Penn State Nittany Lions’ assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator, and running backs coach.
Penn State (13-2), a No. 6 seed in the College Football Playoff, is set to face No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1) in Thursday’s Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens at 7:30 p.m. The winner faces the victor of Friday’s Cotton Bowl No. 5 Texas (13-2) and No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) in Jan. 20’s national championship game.
High stakes football is something the Belle Glade native is accustomed to as Seider, in his lone year at FAMU, quarterbacked the Rattlers to an NCAA Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) semifinals appearance versus Youngstown State in 1999.
“It’s exciting times. We don’t take it for granted being in this opportunity,” Seider, 47, told the Tallahassee Democrat on a phone call. “The last time I’ve been in this situation was in ’99 when we were playing in the semifinals versus Youngstown. There are many parallels as a coach and a player. Now, I get to come back and play in Florida. So, it’s exciting to be back home where all my family and friends are.
“As a Florida kid, it’s what you dream of.”
Seider transferred from West Virginia to FAMU for his senior season in 1999. Seider played at FAMU under Hall of Fame coach Billy Joe, who oversaw the Rattlers from 1994 to 2004.
That 1999 season saw Seider collect the Jake Gaither Award, Doug Williams Award and win the Mid-Eastern Athletic…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-famu-qb-penn-state-101050913.html
Author : Tallahassee Democrat
Publish date : 2025-01-09 10:10:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
