Tag: florida a&M

Former Clemson tight end announces transfer destination

Former Clemson tight end Sage Ennis has announced his transfer destination.

Former Clemson tight end Sage Ennis was one of the few Tigers to enter the transfer portal this season, and we now know where he will be playing next season.

Ennis announced via X (Twitter) that he will be transferring to play football at Florida A&M. He will play for former Tiger Willie Simmons.

Playing in 41 games for the Tigers, Ennis totaled six catches for 77 yards, but stats don’t truly tell his impact. Ennis is an excellent blocker, putting together some great tape as a blocking tight end. His impact was felt in the Clemson running game. A torn ACL ended his season early after earning solid reps in the Tigers’ offense.

LeBron James gifts FAMU’s football team custom kicks ahead of its Celebration Bowl title

It’s never a bad day when you get free kicks from LeBron James.

As it turns out, having a partnership with LeBron James has its perks.

All year long, Florida A&M’s football team has been partnering with the NBA superstar through Nike, wearing custom cleats designed by the four-time MVP this season. As the Rattlers looked good, they played well too, as they only lost one game en route to winning the SWAC title.

Ahead of their game against Howard in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta for the HBCU national championship, the Rattlers received a special package from James – new custom kicks.

Here are the players unboxing the shoes before kickoff, unveiling black and white LeBrons.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C05cdiLAuLp/?

It’s unclear if the kicks played a role, but Florida A&M went on to win the Celebration Bowl 30-26 over the Bison.

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The Howard and Florida A&M marching bands wowed during Celebration Bowl halftime performances

Check out these awesome Celebration Bowl marching band performances from Howard and Florida A&M.

The Cricket Celebration Bowl pitted two of the best HBCU teams in college football against each other on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It also squared off two of the best marching bands in all of the country in Howard’s “Showtime” Marching Band and Florida A&M’s Marching 100.

The two marching bands performed at halftime of the Celebration Bowl, and both bands brought the house down with their impressive displays of artistry and energy.

Even Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard alumnus, got up and danced during her alma mater’s performance because of how good it was.

No matter who won the football game between Howard and Florida A&M, both bands deserved plenty of praise for how well they did.

Kellie Harper recaps Lady Vols’ win against Florida A&M

Kellie Harper recaps the Lady Vols’ win against Florida A&M.

No. 12 Tennessee (1-0) defeated Florida A&M (0-1), 93-64, on Tuesday at Food City Center.

The contest was the first during the 2023-24 regular-season.

Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper recapped the Lady Vols’ win.

“It’s great to start the season 1-0 and I’m proud of our team,” Harper said. “I tell them again in the locker room, ‘You don’t ever take any of them for granted’. I thought we did some good things. Obviously, as the coach, there are some things that we’re going to work on. We’re going to try to improve upon after each game that we play. I think it was fun to get this one under our belt and be able to move forward.”

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network 

Lady Vols defeat Florida A&M in season opener

Tennessee defeats Florida A&M, coached by former Lady Vol Bridgette Gordon.

No. 12 Tennessee (1-0) defeated Florida A&M (0-1). 93-64, Tuesday at Food City Center in the season opener for both schools.

The Lady Vols led  the Rattlers, coached by former Tennessee standout and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Bridgette Gordon, 46-30, at halftime.

In her first game for the Lady Vols, Jewel Spear, a transfer from Wake Forest, totaled 20 points and was one of four Tennessee players to record 10-plus points. Karoline Striplin totaled 20 points and seven rebounds.

Rickea Jackson recorded 13 points and seven rebounds, while Kaiya Wynn tied her career high with 12 points.

Sara Puckett totaled nine points, while Jasmine Powell finished with seven.

Tennessee next plays Thursday at No. 22 Florida State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST in Tallahassee, Florida.

FAMU coach suspends entire team over rap video flap

Florida A&M suspends football team over rap video

A video filmed in the Florida A&M locker room by rapper Real Boston Richey has led to coach Willie Simmons suspending the entire team.

The video took place with Richey in a team shirt and wearing helmets. It has explicit lyrics.

Simmons posted the news to Twitter, saying:

“It is a privilege to wear the orange and green and as a football program, our young men have failed to live up to the standard set before us. They will all learn from this mishap and we will continue to work hard every day to become the best version of ourselves and continue to make Rattler Nation proud.”

Richey performed before homecoming at FAMU in 2022.

Chiefs have shown interest in Florida A&M WR Xavier Smith

The #Chiefs have shown interest in the top HBCU receiver in the 2023 NFL draft, per report.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to be connected to some Day 3 wide receiver prospects.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Chiefs are one of over a dozen teams to have an interest in Florida A&M WR Xavier Smith. The Bills, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Raiders, Chargers, Rams, Giants, Jets, Buccaneers and 49ers also appear to have some level of interest.

Smith was among the standouts at the HBCU combine this year, weighing in at 5-9 and 175 pounds and running a 4.3s 40-yard dash. He’s fresh off of an impressive 2022 campaign with the Rattlers, catching 87 passes for 1,021 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked 13th in the FCS in receiving yards and tied for 10th in receiving touchdowns during the 2022 college football season.

Smith has a reputation as one of the best route runners at the FCS level, consistently creating separation against his opponents. He finished his career at Florida A&M with five multi-score games, including a three-touchdown performance against Alabama A&M in 2022. He has special teams experience as a return man, so you know that he has the Dave Toub stamp of approval in Kansas City.

Smith has been projected anywhere from a fifth-round draft pick to an undrafted free agent acquisition for teams. We’ll see where he ends up soon enough, with the 2023 NFL draft less than a week away.

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One edge rusher for the Eagles in every round of 2023 NFL Draft

We’re looking at one edge rusher for the Philadelphia Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The NFL draft will kick off in less than a week, and as the world descends on Kansas City, the Eagles will look to reload at critical positions.

Philadelphia had one of the NFL’s defensive lines in 2022. Still, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham return, but Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Robert Quinn, and Javon Hargrave all exited via free agency.

With the NFL’s top offense returning with a few new additions, Howie Roseman will undoubtedly look to upgrade the defensive line via the NFL Draft.

With the draft just six days away, here’s one edge rusher the Eagles in every round.

10 takeaways from the top DL, edge rusher, LB performances at NFL Combine

We’re looking at takeaways and instant analysis from the top defensive line and linebacker performances at the 2023 NFL Combine

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is underway with the defensive tackles, edge rushers, and linebackers putting on a show during the on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

All-American defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a spectator after returning to Indianapolis following his arrest for misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with the fatal crash that killed one of his Georgia football teammates, Devin Willock, and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy earlier this year.

Carter, a projected top-five pick in next month’s NFL draft, had been scheduled to speak with reporters when the arrest warrant was issued.

The workouts went on and several high-profile players including one of Carter’s Georgia teammates.

Here are ten takeaways from the top performances on the afternoon.

10 dynamic pass rushers for the Eagles to watch at the NFL combine

With the onfield workouts set to begin, we’re looking at 10 dynamic edge rushers to watch at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

The Eagles are at the NFL scouting combine and with two first-round picks for the second year in a row, they’ll look to retool with 18 pending free agents set to hit the open market.

Philadelphia loves to build from the inside out and could look to stockpile more pass rushers with Brandon Graham and Robert Quinn potentially leaving for greener pastures.

The Eagles have 9 key contributors on defense set for free agency, and GM Howie Roseman has acknowledged that he won’t be able to retain his core of free agents with Jalen Hurts set to land a huge contract extension.

With the onfield portion of the combine set to heat up, we’re looking at 10 dynamic pass rushers for the Eagles to watch.