TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Visit FAMUAthletics.com, examine its 2022 football roster, and you'll see a healthy list of linebackers – 15, to be exact. There's the reigning Buck Buchanan Award Winner (National Defensive Player of the Year) Isaiah Land. And the ever-consistent redshirt senior Nadarius Fagan. It'll require a little research to recognize that 12 of the FAMU linebackers are new to the program ... a number that would be a cause for concern for several coaches ... but not Ryan Smith. The Rattlers' assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach intentionally recruited playmakers, "guys that can run. Guys that are physical, athletic. Guys that just love football."
Check out the rest of the interview with Coach Smith below.
What are you seeing from your group so far in camp? Areas of excitement? Areas of improvement?
"Our guys are working hard. They are constantly getting better every day. We have a very athletic group, and they get along very well with each other and help each other, so it's been a fun group to coach."
Everyone knows the name Isaiah Land and what he adds to the team. What are your expectations of him this season? Are there personal milestones you'd like to see him accomplish?
"We just want Isaiah to be Isaiah, you know. We don't put any extra pressure on him. Isaiah's going to put more pressure on himself than we are. We just want him to be him, do his job, and do it at a high level."
There are 12 newcomers listed on the roster. What were you looking for during recruitment? What are the expectations/characteristics of a Rattler linebacker?
"We want guys that can run. Guys that are physical, athletic. Guys that just love football. If they don't love football, they're going to have a tough time playing here because the expectations and demands are so high. Of course, we want good people as well, but we want guys that just love playing ball."
Who are a few individuals Rattler Nation should be aware of and why?
"Nadarius Fagan played a lot last year, and he's had a good camp. We've also got Johnny Chaney. He's done really, really well. He's come a long way in the past year, and we've brought in Isaiah Major, whose got a little pop. He's very, very fast, very, very athletic, and has had a great camp. Aric Horne has battled some injuries but should be back in time for the season. And then we've got Mike Watson, who has done a good job. We expect a lot out of all of them, and I don't think they'll let us down."
How will you measure the success of the linebackers this season?
"We want playmakers. But I think the biggest thing for us is we're going to have fun playing, and have fun playing together at a high level. When those things mesh together, we'll have a successful room."
Linebacker Breakdown
Returners: Johnny Chaney Jr., Nadarius Fagan, Isaiah Land
Lost: Ellrie Allen, Martery Brown, Jalil Core, Lucius Lattimore, Derrick Mayweather, Makel McClenton, Chris Metayer, Carl Nesmith, Demetrius Powell, Jalen Randolph
Newcomers: Jordan Giley (Florida High School), Khalil Hunter (St. Thomas Aquinas High School), Aric Horne (Iowa State University), Nay'Ron Jenkins (Bucholz High School), Isaiah Major (Independence Community College), Malcolm Major (Chaminade-Madonna Prep), Travis Moss (University of Memphis), Justin Porter (Carson Newman University), Wayne Quin II (Jesuit High School), Jordan Richo (Alcorn State University), Devin Smith (Riverside High School), Michael Watson II (Langston Hughes High School)
#28 Johnny Chaney Jr. | 6-2 | 230 | So. | Orlando, Fla.
2021: Recorded 13 tackles in 11 games … tallied career-high five tackles in win at UAPB
#27 Nadarius Fagan | 6-0 | 215 | R-Sr. | Goulds, Fla. / Syracuse
2021: Finished fifth on the team with 43 tackles in 12 games … recorded career-high eight tackles in win at Southern … recorded an interception in win versus SC State … recorded 5+ tackles five times (9/11 vs. FVSU, 9/18 at USF, 10/2 vs. ASU, 10/16 at AAMU, 10/30 vs. GSU) … scored first career touchdown from 45-yard fumble return in win versus Fort Valley State
#31 Isaiah Land | 6-4 | 225 | R-Sr. | Buffalo, N.Y.
2022: Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American First Team … Athlon Sports Preseason All-American … East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List … Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year … Preseason All-SWAC First Team Defense
2021: Buck Buchanan Award Winner (National Defensive Player of the Year) … AFCA All-American (1st Team) … AP All-American (1st Team) … Athlon Sports All-American … FCS Stats Perform All-American (1st Team) … Hero Sports All-American (1st Team) … BOXTOROW All-American … SWAC Defensive Player of the Year … All-SWAC First Team … led nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5) … recorded five sacks in win versus South Carolina State (FAMU single-game record) … forced three fumbles and recovered one … finished with 43 tackles, three pass breakups, and six QB hurries.
Fans may visit FAMUAthletics.com/tickets for all their ticket needs.
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