Florida A&M Rattlers football

Classifications • 1952–1972: NCAA College Division • 1973–1977: NCAA Division II • 1978–2003: NCAA Division I–AA • 2004: NCAA Division I–A • 2005–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS Conference memberships • 1907–1925: Independent • 1926–1978: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) • 1979–1983: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) • 1984–1985: NCAA Division I-AA -ndependent • 1986–2003: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference • 2004: NCAA Division I-A independent • 2005–2020: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference • 2021–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference In 1978, FAMU was a member of SIAC, an NCAA Division II conference. FAMU had successfully petitioned the NCAA for Division I classification (Division I-AA in football), which took effect on September 1, 1978. The Rattlers have been part of a couple controversies in recent years. In 2022, FAMU almost had to forfeit a week 1 game against North Carolina because 20 players were academically ineligible to play. In July 2023, Florida A&M halted all football related activities after a rap video containing explicit lyrics was filmed in their locker room. ==Annual Classics==

• Florida Classic • Orange Blossom Classic ==Championships==

National, Black College The Rattlers claim 16 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) championships 15 come from official HBCU championship selectors, while the 2021 claim is the result of an NCAA power ranking of FCS HBCU teams. National National, Division I–AA/FCS Florida A&M has one championship in the division formerly known as Division I-AA. They are the only HBCU to play in and win a I-AA/FCS championship game. National, Division II/College Division One Florida A&M team has been awarded a national championship from NCAA-designated designated major selector, as they were declared Associated Press (AP) small college national champion for the 1962 season. While the school holds the distinction of being the first HBCU to win an NCAA football title, the championship is not claimed by the university. Conference championships Florida A&M has won 38 conference championships, 31 outright and 7 shared. † Co-champions Bowl games This is a partial list. The Rattlers have an overall bowl record of 29–24–2. ==NCAA Division I-AA/FCS playoff results==

The Rattlers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs eight times with a record of 5–7. They were I-AA National Champions in 1978, the first year of Division I-AA. ==College Football Hall of Fame members==

• Jake Gaither • Willie Galimore • Billy Joe • Tyrone McGriff ==Alumni in the NFL==

Over 60 Florida A&M alumni have played in the NFL, including: • Ray Alexander • Gene Atkins • Greg Coleman • Al Denson • Hewritt Dixon • Glen Edwards • Chad Fann • Roger Finnie • Derrick Gainer • Willie Galimore • Hubert Ginn • Charles Goodrum • Quinn Gray • Bob Hayes • Earl Holmes • Henry Lawrence • Herm Lee • Frank Marion • Willie McClung • Terry Mickens • Riley Morris • Jamie Nails • Nate Newton • Carleton Oats • Ken Riley • Vernice Smith • Wally Williams • Robert Wilson • Kevin Elliott • Markquese Bell • Xavier Smith • Isaiah Land • Terrell Jennings ==Future non-conference opponents==

Announced schedules as of January 26, 2026 ==References==