TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– As the 2023 Celebration Bowl Champions enter the 2024 football season with high expectations, one key component to their success is the offensive line, which returns 13 players, including four who have seen significant playing time over the last two seasons. This experience and continuity are crucial for the Rattlers' offensive strategy.

Building from the Inside Out

Assistant Head Coach Joseph Henry emphasized rebuilding the offensive roster from the inside out. "We were very intentional after last season about how we rebuilt our offensive roster," he stated. "We wanted to make sure we could control the line of scrimmage. It's easy to find speed here in Florida, so our priority was solidifying our offensive line."

Offseason Training and Preparation

The offseason has been a period of intense preparation for the offensive line. Coach Henry and the strength and conditioning coach, Coach Forney, have focused on ensuring the players are in peak football shape. "It's been more thorough than in the past," Coach [Name] noted. "We've had several organized team activities, which have helped us get ahead, teaching our offense and schemes."

Key Areas of Improvement

Communication has been a primary focus during the offseason. "There's always room for improvement in everything you do," said Coach [Name]. "We've been intentional about increasing everybody's football intelligence, communication, and chemistry. It's not about how good we are as individuals, but how well we play as a unit."

Developing Younger Players

Coach Henry's development-based philosophy ensures that younger or less experienced players receive the attention they need to grow. "We want to crawl before we walk," he explained. "We spend a long time working on the communication piece, and then we start on-field drills, focusing on technique and body movement. Our older guys have done a great job taking the young guys under their wings."

Standout Performers

While the entire unit has been working hard, Coach Henry highlighted the efforts of Jalen Goss, Ashton Grable, TJ Lee, Cesar Reyes, and Mike Marshall. "They're all doing an excellent job," he said. "They've welcomed all our new faces with open arms, and you can see the beginning of these guys starting to come together."

Balancing Responsibilities

Preparing the offensive line for a new season comes with challenges, especially for Coach Henry, who is now the primary playcaller. "The challenge is ensuring I find balance in everything I do," he admitted. "I've evaluated how we operate as an offensive staff, placing a premium on efficiency. I have a great staff that supports me, and I'm ready to take the baton and run with it."

Returners
Jalen Goss, Graduate
TJ Lee, Senior
Ashton Grable, Redshirt Junior
Cesar Reyes, Redshirt Senior
KJ McCou, Redshirt Junior
Michael Marshall, Redshirt Junior
Charles Davis, Redshirt Junior
Ricky Taylor, Redshirt Junior
Tommy Bridgewater Jr., Redshirt Sophomore
Sebastian Laraque, Redshirt Junior
Janik Ogunlade, Redshirt Junior
Myron Ward, Redshirt Sophomore
Christopher Williams, Redshirt Junior

Newcomers
Caleb Riley, Freshman, Norland High School
Elijah Philippe, Redshirt Junior, Troy
Christian Wingfield, Redshirt Junior, Austin Peay
Ezra Dotson-Oyetade, Redshirt Junior, TCU
Nathan Gates, Redshirt Freshman, Washington State
Jeremy Fishkin, Freshman, Stoneman-Douglas High School

Goss returns as a 2022 All-American and All-SWAC member, and Grable returns as a 2023 All-SWAC member.

As the Florida A&M Rattlers gear up for the 2024 season, the offensive line is a testament to the team's dedication, hard work, and strategic planning. With experienced players and a solid foundation, the Rattlers are poised for another successful run.

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