2023 Outlook: Meet FAMU football's offensive linemen for the upcoming season
Florida A&M's 2023 football season is on the way.
Currently, the Rattlers are spending their summer preparing for fall training camp's Aug. 2 report date.
So, we have some time to get familiar with each position group.
FAMU's offense features 21 linemen as of July 18, 2023; 15 are returners and six are newcomers.
Here's a look at the Rattlers' offensive lineman for the 2023 season.
Previous FAMU Position Previews: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Defensive Line | Linebackers | Defensive Backs
FAMU Offensive Linemen: Who's Back?
Jalen Goss, graduate student, was an All-SWAC First Team and Boxtorow All-American selection in 2022, his first year with the Rattlers since transferring from NCAA Division I-FBS and crosstown program Florida State. Goss started at left tackle in all of FAMU's 11 games in 2022.
Cameron Covin, graduate student, was named All-SWAC Second Team in 2022 after starting ten games at right tackle for the Rattlers. The only contest he missed was the season opener at North Carolina as one of 26 players ruled NCAA uncertified a day ahead of the game.
TJ Lee, junior, has gotten a lot of playing time since arriving to FAMU as a true freshman in 2021. A versatile center-guard hybrid, Lee started in all of the Rattlers 11 games a season ago.
TJ Demas, sophomore, is another center-guard hybrid for the Rattlers. He immediately played as a true freshman last year, participating in eight games in 2022.
Charles Davis, redshirt sophomore, earned some snaps as a redshirt freshman. He played 11 games for FAMU, primarily as a guard.
Morgan Moore, graduate student, played his first season with FAMU since transferring from FBS Texas State last year. He participated in 11 games, mainly as a guard in 2022.
FAMU Offensive Lineman: Who's New?
Ashton Grable, redshirt sophomore, transferred in to FAMU from fellow FCS Jacksonville State. As an early signee, Grable enrolled in classes and practiced with the Rattlers during the spring, ultimately leading him to be the second overall pick at the Orange and Green Spring Game Draft. Grable plays the tackle position.
Janik Ogunlade, redshirt sophomore, is a newcomer from the FBS ranks Buffalo. He also participated during FAMU's spring practice as an early signee. Ogunlade plays guard.
The Rattlers landed former 247Sports five-star prospect, redshirt senior Kardell Thomas out of the transfer portal in April. The former Louisiana State (LSU) lineman started in two games for the Tigers, being utilized as a guard.
FAMU Offensive Linemen: Who's Starting?
The options are endless for FAMU's offensive line.
So, a lot of combinations and looks will be shown.
Goss will return as the starting left tackle. Demas will play the center and Lee will man the left guard spot.
Grable made quite the impression on FAMU's coaching staff as he began getting first-team reps at the right tackle position. Ogunlade may play the right guard.
But it doesn't stop there.
With Covin being an all-conference talent and FAMU's most experienced offensive lineman, it's not far-fetched that he will still get a lot of snaps in the upcoming season.
Thomas will come into during fall training camp wanting to compete for one of those guard spots.
And the same goes for players like Kendarius Cunningham (guard), Khamari Thompson (tackle), converted defensive-to-offensive lineman Michael Marshall, and Davis (guard/tackle).
Florida A&M Rattlers Offensive Linemen as of July 18, 2023
Offensive Line Coach: Joseph Henry
Tommy Bridgewater Jr.
Chad Brooks
Cameron Covin
Kendarius Cunningham
Charles Davis
TJ Demas
Jalen Goss
Ashton Grable
Zarius Johnson
Sebastian Laraque
TJ Lee
Michael Marshall
KJ McCou
Morgan Moore
Janik Ogunlade
Cesar Reyes
Kardell Thomas
Khamari Thompson
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Getting familiar with the Rattlers 2023 offensive linemen
