TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | It has been three months since the last time the Florida A&M University football team was on the field, but the Rattlers will begin preparation for the 2020 season with the first of 15 spring practices on Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
 
Florida A&M will practice once in February, eight times in March and wrap up the spring slate with six practices in April. In addition, the Rattlers will have three scrimmages, including the annual Orange & Green Spring Game, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
 
"We are very excited about the start of spring practice. The guys have been working extremely hard since we got back to school at the beginning of January and we are anxious to see the hardwork payoff," Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons said. "We have 15 practices as Saturday will be Day 1 and we will be in helmets for the first couple of days. We are just looking forward to some of the new wrinkles we have and looking forward to seeing the new guys."
 

Spring Football is right around the corner with the first practice on Saturday #FangsUp #FAMU #strikestrikestrikeagain #WeAreFAMU #LeaveNoDoubt #ATL2020 pic.twitter.com/44vY2XdS9f

— FAMU Athletics (@FAMUAthletics) February 26, 2020

The Rattlers return several key pieces off last year's team, including all-american wide receiver Xavier Smith and punter Chris Faddoul. Florida A&M returns seven starters on the offensive side of the football and eight on the defense, including Markquese Bell, who was an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) first-team selection.
 
Simmons and his staff will use the spring to continue developing depth and evaluating young players to move onto the two-deep roster.
 
"Spring ball is the time where you can experiment with a lot of things, but also that time to see their growth from the offseason workout program," Simmons said.
 
Florida A&M will be looking to replace the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Ryan Stanley. In addition, Simmons and his coaching staff will be also seeking to replace key positions at linebacker and defensive back.
 
The Rattlers will hold its annual Spring Game on Saturday, March 28. The Orange and Green game will kickoff at 2 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
 
"I think fans should be looking forward to taking the next step," Simmons said. "We kind of put our footprint on this program on what you should expect from us with our seven Fs. I think the fans will look forward to not only seeing a fast and physical football team, but also a team that is competing for starting spots across the board. In the spring, every position is up for grabs."
 
Florida A&M will conclude its spring slate on Saturday, April 11 with a scrimmage.
 

2020 Spring Football Practice Schedule
Practice 1	Saturday, Feb. 29	Afternoon Practice – 2 p.m.
Practice 2	Wednesday, March 4	Morning Practice – 6 a.m.
Practice 3	Friday, March 6	Afternoon Practice – 3:35 p.m.
Practice 4	Saturday, March 7	Afternoon Practice – 3 p.m.
Practice 5	Wednesday, March 11	Morning Practice – 6 a.m.
Practice 6	Friday, March 13	Afternoon Practice – 3:35 p.m.
Practice 7	Wednesday, March 25	Morning Practice – 6 a.m.
Practice 8	Friday, March 27	Afternoon Practice – 3:35 p.m.
Practice 9	Saturday, March 28	Orange & Green Spring Game – 2 p.m.
Practice 10	Wednesday, April 1	Morning Practice – 6 a.m.
Practice 11	Friday, April 3	Afternoon Practice – 3:35 p.m.
Practice 12	Saturday, April 4	Scrimmage – 2 p.m.
Practice 13	Wednesday, April 8	Morning Practice – 6 a.m.
Practice 14	Friday, April 10	Afternoon Practice – 3:35 p.m.
Practice 15	Saturday, April 11	Scrimmage – 2 p.m.

 
 
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