{"id":279675,"date":"2026-05-21T16:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/279675\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:52:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:52:25","slug":"famu-football-seeing-academic-improvement-early-in-quinn-gray-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/279675\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU football seeing academic improvement early in Quinn Gray era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Academics and on-field performance are not competing entities.<\/p>\n

Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.\u2019s Florida A&M<\/a> football team is proving that early in the new head coach\u2019s tenure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, May 20, FAMU announced that its Rattlers football team earned a 3.05 grade-point average for the spring 2026 semester<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. surveys the action during the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

Forty-one players earned academic recognition, with four landing on the President\u2019s List, seven on the Dean\u2019s List, and 30 getting on the Honor Roll.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOur staff has done a tremendous job of holding our young men to a high standard,\u201d Gray said in a press release. \u201cWhen you look at 41 guys on the honor lists and over a 3.0 team GPA, that\u2019s a testament to the work our academic support team and coaches put in every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gray mentioned that the Rattlers\u2019 grades have improved at the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club luncheon<\/a> on May 13, a week ago.<\/p>\n

FAMU football had a 2.57 GPA during the fall 2025 semester. The improvement coincides with Gray\u2019s first semester as head coach<\/a>, following his December 2025 hiring by his alma mater<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what it\u2019s all about,\u201d Gray said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe talk [about] being ALL-IN in every area of life, and our young men are proving that they\u2019re committed to excellence in the classroom just as much as they are on the field. I\u2019m proud of the improvement they\u2019ve shown thus far.\u201d<\/p>\n

The grade improvement could be a positive sign for the Rattlers\u2019 struggles with the NCAA\u2019s Academic Progress Rate since its inception in 2004.<\/p>\n

FAMU is currently under Level-Two sanctions<\/a>, including a 2026 postseason ban and outlawed from participating in spring 2027 practice<\/a>, due to falling below the NCAA\u2019s required 930. The Rattlers had a 918 for the 2024-2025 athletic year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Armond Parker warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Armond Parker warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

The Florida A&M Rattlers hosted their ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback James Hayes warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback James Hayes warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Isaiah Knowles warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. leads his team during warmups for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Daylyn Ditson during the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Quan Lee warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Quan Lee warms up for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

The Florida A&M Rattlers hosted their ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. leads his team during warmups for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. leads his team during warmups for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 13<\/p>\n

FAMU football’s spring game 2026: ‘Friday Night Strike’ in photos<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. leads his team during warmups for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

FAMU has only met the score twice in 19 tries, 2008-2009 and 2018-2019.<\/p>\n

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If the Orange and Green continue to shine in the classroom, it could help the team avoid NCAA Level Three punishments in 2027 and return to Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl championship contention.<\/p>\n

President’s List (4.0 Term GPA)<\/p>\n

Wyatt Crosby, OL; Jaden Outar, CB; Vinh Quain, SPT; and Kyjuan Taylor Jr., RB.<\/p>\n

Dean’s List (3.5\u20133.99 Term GPA)<\/p>\n

Luke Collins, WR; Jeremy Fishkin<\/a>, OL; Ryan Hall, NKL; James Hayes, QB; Darrick McGhee, LB; Corey Petty, WR; and Justin Squire, DE.<\/p>\n

Honor Roll (3.0\u20133.49 Term GPA)<\/p>\n

Emilio Bacardi<\/a>, SPT; Armand Burris, WR; Camarion Bush, OL; Jordan Davis, OL; Maliek Denmark, WR; Jamal Hailey, RB; DeRodrick Hepburn, RB; Johnny Hutton, CB; Isaiah Knowles<\/a>, QB; Jaquan Lee, WR; Caleb McKenzie, CB; Adrien Medine, DT; Isaiah Morrison, DE; Armond Parker, QB; Gabriel Perez, SPT; Xavier Perkins, DE; Porter Peterson, WR; Willie Queen, RB; Mazio Randall, DT; Jayquan Ried, WR; Andrew Ritter, TE; Anthony Rosier, DE; Levontai Summersett, RB; Tyreik Thorpe, WR; Gunnar Trout, SPT; Felipe Velandia, SPT; Dion Villiers, SAF; Myron Ward, TE; Joseph Young<\/a>, WR; and Tamez Young, TE.<\/p>\n

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Academic achievement list compiled by the FAMU athletics department.<\/p>\n

Florida A&M football 2026 schedule<\/p>\n

All times are Eastern<\/p>\n

Sunday, Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State, Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium, 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Thursday, Sept. 10: at Miami<\/p>\n

Saturday, Sept. 19: vs. Tennessee State, 7 p.m., HBCU GO<\/p>\n

Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Alabama A&M (SWAC), 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 10: at Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC\/Homecoming), 3 p.m., HBCU GO<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Southern (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO<\/p>\n

Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC\/Florida Classic)<\/p>\n

Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the\u00a0Florida A&M Rattlers<\/a>\u00a0at the Tallahassee Democrat.<\/p>\n

Follow his award-winning coverage on\u00a0RattlerNews.com<\/a>\u00a0and contact him via email at\u00a0GDThomas@Tallahassee.com<\/a>\u00a0or on the app formerly known as Twitter\u00a0@3peatgee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football: 41 players get honor roll after NCAA APR postseason ban<\/a><\/p>\n