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\n Florida A&M opened a new era on National Signing Day Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, as first-year head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. put his first recruiting class in ink \u2014 a foundational haul that blends size, speed and experience across the roster as the Rattlers begin building the next chapter under the FAMU Hall of Fame quarterback-turned-20th head coach.<\/p>\n
Follow along below as the signings become official !<\/p>\n
Signing Day Tracker<\/p>\n
Caden Brown<\/a> | 6-4, 225 | Linebacker | Syracuse<\/p>\n Brown arrives as a long, athletic linebacker with a high-level recruiting profile and transfer experience. His notes describe him as a consensus three-star prospect across his junior and senior years and one of the top players in New York, including rankings as high as the No. 4 EDGE prospect in the state and a top-five overall New York recruit by major services. He gives Florida A&M length and pass-rush upside at the second level.<\/p>\n Jaden Desir<\/a> | 6-0, 205 | Running Back | Saint Thomas Aquinas HS<\/p>\n Desir arrives from one of Florida’s most accomplished programs and brings a physical frame to the position at 205 pounds. He adds depth, size, and a championship-level prep background to Florida A&M’s backfield.<\/p>\n Jason Duclona<\/a> | 6-1, 185 | Defensive Back | East Tennessee State<\/p>\n Duclona brings college experience and a versatile background that includes contributions on both sides of the ball. His notes list 300-plus snaps in 2025 with 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one interception. Before college, he starred as a two-way standout, playing both wide receiver and defensive back in 2022, catching 23 passes for 520 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games, while adding 30 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions defensively. Duclona helped lead Estero High School to the first round of Florida’s 2S playoffs and collected honors including team MVP, first team all-district, and first team all-state, with his notes indicating he held 32 Division I offers.<\/p>\n James Hayes<\/a> | 6-3, 230 | Quarterback | Alabama State<\/p>\n Hayes provides quarterback depth with experience in an HBCU program and documented prep success. His notes indicate he appeared in one game at Alabama State. Before college, Hayes helped Coconut Creek High School to an 8\u20132 record and a district championship in 2023, throwing 22 touchdown passes that season and leading a dominant playoff win in which he accounted for multiple first-half scores.<\/p>\n Chase Gillespie<\/a> | 5-10, 200 | Running Back | Vanderbilt<\/p>\n Gillespie joins the program with SEC experience and a recruiting pedigree that signals all-purpose potential. His bio notes that he was a former three-star prospect and ranked as the No. 17 all-purpose back in the country by Rivals, adding speed and versatility to the Rattler running back room.<\/p>\n Xavier Herndon<\/a> | 6-3, 245 | Tight End | Albany State<\/p>\n Herndon joins Florida A&M as a proven college pass-catcher at the tight end position. His notes list him as a former first-team all-conference selection in the SIAC and credit him with 31 catches for 485 yards and seven touchdowns, offering a physical target who has already produced in a featured role.<\/p>\n Terrell James<\/a> | 6-3, 214 | Defensive End | Murray State<\/p>\n James provides edge depth with experience and a decorated prep background. His notes list high school Defensive Player of the Year, All-American recognition, and a three-star athlete profile, along with a championship milestone described as the first state title winner in football from his city.<\/p>\n Wynton Jones Jr.<\/a> | 5-11, 165 | Defensive Back | Miami Palmetto HS<\/p>\n Jones arrives from South Florida as a playmaking defensive back with a strong list of postseason recognitions. He was named All-Dade (2025) and earned MVP of the Portal Mega Camp, while also being tabbed Sports Illustrated Week 10 South and Florida Player of the Week. Jones was invited to the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and posted standout production in Florida’s top classification, finishing top two in interceptions (7A) and top five in tackles (7A). He also earned recognition as a two-time all-defense selection and Rotary All-Star Game MVP.<\/p>\n Omari Kinsler<\/a> | 6-4, 205 | Linebacker | Chowan<\/p>\n Kinsler brings length and range to the linebacker unit and arrives with immediate college-level recognition. His notes list him as Freshman of the Year, giving the Rattlers a high-ceiling second-level defender with size and athletic traits.<\/p>\n Jaylan Lurry<\/a> | 6-0, 185 | Wide Receiver | Florida HS<\/p>\n A local addition who has already made history in Tallahassee-area football, Lurry is credited in his bio as the first Florida High wide receiver in 30 years to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. He was also named Tallahassee QB Club WR of the Year and earned Offensive MVP and WR of the Year at his school banquet.<\/p>\n Isaiah Morrison<\/a> | 6-1, 265 | Defensive Lineman | Albany State<\/p>\n Morrison brings proven conference recognition and leadership traits to the defensive line. His bio lists Second Team All-Conference (SIAC) honors, academic excellence (3.0+ GPA), and leadership roles as a team captain and chaplain, combining on-field production with intangibles.<\/p>\n Roderick McFadden<\/a> | 6-0, 310 | Defensive Tackle | Miami Northwestern HS<\/p>\n McFadden adds immediate size and strength to the interior defensive front. Listed at 310 pounds, he profiles as a physical presence inside with the ability to impact the run game and collapse the pocket. His bio notes a production arc that culminated in a senior season of 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, along with takeaway production and major postseason recognition including First Team All-Dade and 1A\u20133A Defensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n Mike Peterson Jr.<\/a> | 6-0, 164 | Wide Receiver | Florida<\/p>\n Peterson Jr. brings experience in a Power Four environment and adds quickness to the perimeter. The wide receiver provides another option for depth and competition in a skill room that added multiple targets in this class.<\/p>\n Corey Petty<\/a> | 5-11, 190 | Wide Receiver | Albany State<\/p>\n Petty adds experience at receiver after earning all-region recognition in high school and continuing his career at the college level. His bio lists Third Team All-Region (2020) and Second Team All-Region (2021) honors at Warner Robins High School, bringing a decorated prep background to Florida A&M’s wideout group.<\/p>\n Jaiden Roper<\/a> | 6-1, 207 | Linebacker | Chaminade-Madonna HS<\/p>\n A consistent producer at linebacker, Roper’s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 highlights year-to-year growth and disruptive playmaking. His notes list 33 total tackles and nine tackles for loss as a sophomore, followed by 46 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown as a junior. As a senior, he posted 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, plus an interception and pass breakup, earning First Team All-Dade and 1A\u20133A Defensive Player of the Year recognition.<\/p>\n Corbett Yarbrough<\/a> | 6-4, 280 | Offensive Lineman | Flemming HS<\/p>\n Yarbrough provides size and depth along the offensive line after earning local and district honors. He was named First Team All\u2013Clay County and First Team All-District, giving Florida A&M another big-bodied option in the trenches.<\/p>\n