FAMU football RB Thad Franklin, 7 others named to SWAC preseason team

Florida A&M football has eight players who’ve earned preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference honors.

Headlining the Rattlers on the offensive first team is running back Thad Franklin Jr. The grad student’s nod comes after he rushed 120 times for 653 yards and five touchdowns during the 2024 season.

Franklin’s top game last season was his record-breaking Florida Classic performance when he had 26 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns in FAMU’s 41-38 victory over rivals Bethune-Cookman.

Also on the Preseason All-SWAC First Team is a pair of FAMU offensive linemen Ashton Grable and Charles Davis. Grable was an NCAA All-HBCU selection and All-SWAC First Teamer last year. Davis also picked up All-SWAC First Team honors in 2024.

Defensively for the Rattlers, defensive end Davion Westmoreland, who led FAMU with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, is on the Preseason All-SWAC First Team. He’s joined by FAMU’s returning lead tackler, linebacker Nay’Ron Jenkins, and cornerback TJ Huggins, who had a team-high three interceptions a season ago.

FAMU defensive lineman James Gardner Jr. and defensive back Jameel Sanders made the SWAC’s preseason second team.

FAMU football will be at SWAC Media Day in Birmingham on Wednesday, July 16. Second-year head coach James Colzie III, Grable, and Westmoreland will represent the program.

The Rattlers’ 2025 season begins in the Orange Blossom Classic as they face the Howard Bison on Aug. 30 at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium.

SWAC Preseason Honors

Offensive Player of the Year: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson StateDefensive Player of the Year: Ckelby Givens, Southern

All-SWAC First Team Offense

Quarterback: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson StateRunning Back: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn StateRunning Back: Thad Franklin Jr., Florida A&MOffensive Lineman: D’Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson…


Source link : https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/famu/2025/07/14/famu-rattlers-football-thad-franklin-others-swac-preseason-team/85201186007/

Author :

Publish date : 2025-07-15 01:07:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.