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Offseason training is paramount for a quarterback.
Especially for one who’s joined a new team.
Just ask Florida A&M football transfer, Isaiah Knowles.
“Really just making sure my leadership’s good ― that’s first and foremost,” he told the Tallahassee Democrat. “Just to make sure that I’m getting everyone on with the standard of being all in with Coach Gray.”
The quarterback followed new head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. to FAMU after spending three seasons together on the NCAA Division II level at Albany State. The graduate student participated in the Rattlers’ spring football camp from late February through the Orange and Green game in April.
Knowles started for Gray’s Albany State Golden Rams teams in 2024 and 2025, earning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in both years. The Tampa native threw for 4,726 passing yards, 50 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions, while at the South Georgia-based Historically Black College and University.
In 2025, Knowles quarterbacked Albany State to the 36th-best scoring offense in Division II, en route to the Golden Rams winning the SIAC title and being named Black College Football National Champions.
Surely, the same systems that helped the Knowles-Gray connection succeed at Albany State will carry over to The Highest of Seven Hills. But the jump to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision will cause them to enhance the offensive schemes that made them a force in Division II.
“I know the playbook like the back of my hand,” Knowles said.
“So it’s pretty good that I’m able to also put in my input on some of the things I do or don’t like. We’re able to expand stuff because the IQ is a lot higher here, and we have a lot more guys who can process a lot quicker. A lot of guys are coming along, and I know it’ll be great come fall camp.”
The Rattlers began organized team activities in May.
It has allowed Knowles to get on the field with his new Rattler teammates and simulate plays before the projected start of fall training camp on Aug. 2.
“Being able to come out here and do the run-through of our plays, and really sharpening our base plays, getting into fall camp will set us forward for success,” Knowles said.
Playing his final college football season, Knowles is equipped with wide receiver weaponry such as Florida transfer Mike Peterson, Quan Lee, who spent 2025 at Arkansas State and has now returned to FAMU, and fellow former Albany State Golden Ram Corey ‘Deuce’ Petty, and more.
Knowles and his pass catchers are using the summer to build cohesion. Learning how the ball spins off the quarterback’s hand and shoring up on timing.
“We talk throughout the days and communicate on and off the field,” Knowles said of the budding connection. “And then when we have time, we work on the top end of the routes and where the balls are going to go. That way, we continue to build that chemistry.”
Field work, FaceTime, and text conversations when not on campus may be the difference in the Rattler offense’s success under Knowles.
Knowles and the Rattlers will put their summertime progression to the test at the start of training camp and once the regular season begins.
“It’s really just keying in on the little things, the details of making sure I’m setting the protection right, making sure the guys understand why I’m setting the protection this way, and making sure the receivers are hitting certain routes,” he said. “It’s really just making sure we’re overcommunicating, so the next time we run a play, we know what to expect.”
The FAMU Rattlers open the 2026 season hosting Knowles’ former team, Albany State, on Aug. 29 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Although he wore No. 3 during spring football, Knowles will sport his normal No. 6 when the season starts.
All times are Eastern
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football QB Isaiah Knowles shaping Rattlers offense
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Especially for one who’s joined a new team.
Just ask Florida A&M football transfer, Isaiah Knowles.
“Really just making sure my leadership’s good ― that’s first and foremost,” he told the Tallahassee Democrat. “Just to make sure that I’m getting everyone on with the standard of being all in with Coach Gray.”
The quarterback followed new head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. to FAMU after spending three seasons together on the NCAA Division II level at Albany State. The graduate student participated in the Rattlers’ spring football camp from late February through the Orange and Green game in April.
Knowles started for Gray’s Albany State Golden Rams teams in 2024 and 2025, earning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in both years. The Tampa native threw for 4,726 passing yards, 50 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions, while at the South Georgia-based Historically Black College and University.
In 2025, Knowles quarterbacked Albany State to the 36th-best scoring offense in Division II, en route to the Golden Rams winning the SIAC title and being named Black College Football National Champions.
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Surely, the same systems that helped the Knowles-Gray connection succeed at Albany State will carry over to The Highest of Seven Hills. But the jump to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision will cause them to enhance the offensive schemes that made them a force in Division II.
“I know the playbook like the back of my hand,” Knowles said.
“So it’s pretty good that I’m able to also put in my input on some of the things I do or don’t like. We’re able to expand stuff because the IQ is a lot higher here, and we have a lot more guys who can process a lot quicker. A lot of guys are coming along, and I know it’ll be great come fall camp.”
The Rattlers began organized team activities in May.
You must be registered for see images
It has allowed Knowles to get on the field with his new Rattler teammates and simulate plays before the projected start of fall training camp on Aug. 2.
“Being able to come out here and do the run-through of our plays, and really sharpening our base plays, getting into fall camp will set us forward for success,” Knowles said.
FAMU football QB Isaiah Knowles: Summer to help training camp, 2026 season
Playing his final college football season, Knowles is equipped with wide receiver weaponry such as Florida transfer Mike Peterson, Quan Lee, who spent 2025 at Arkansas State and has now returned to FAMU, and fellow former Albany State Golden Ram Corey ‘Deuce’ Petty, and more.
Knowles and his pass catchers are using the summer to build cohesion. Learning how the ball spins off the quarterback’s hand and shoring up on timing.
“We talk throughout the days and communicate on and off the field,” Knowles said of the budding connection. “And then when we have time, we work on the top end of the routes and where the balls are going to go. That way, we continue to build that chemistry.”
Field work, FaceTime, and text conversations when not on campus may be the difference in the Rattler offense’s success under Knowles.
Knowles and the Rattlers will put their summertime progression to the test at the start of training camp and once the regular season begins.
“It’s really just keying in on the little things, the details of making sure I’m setting the protection right, making sure the guys understand why I’m setting the protection this way, and making sure the receivers are hitting certain routes,” he said. “It’s really just making sure we’re overcommunicating, so the next time we run a play, we know what to expect.”
The FAMU Rattlers open the 2026 season hosting Knowles’ former team, Albany State, on Aug. 29 on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Although he wore No. 3 during spring football, Knowles will sport his normal No. 6 when the season starts.
Florida A&M football 2026 schedule
All times are Eastern
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- Saturday, Aug. 29: vs. Albany State, 7 p.m., SWAC TV
- Sunday, Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State, Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium, 3 p.m., ESPNU
- Thursday, Sept. 10: at Miami, 8 p.m., ACC Network
- Saturday, Sept. 19: vs. Tennessee State, 7 p.m., HBCU GO
- Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Alabama A&M (SWAC), 7 p.m., SWAC TV
- Saturday, Oct. 3: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 10: at Alabama State (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
- Saturday, Oct. 17: at Jackson State (SWAC), 3 p.m., ESPN Network
- Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC/Homecoming), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
- Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Southern (SWAC), 3 p.m., HBCU GO
- Saturday, Nov. 7: at Alcorn State (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
- Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC), 3 p.m., SWAC TV
- Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic), 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football QB Isaiah Knowles shaping Rattlers offense
Continue reading...
