Florida A&M football’s NCAA postseason ban has consequences that will extend beyond 2026.
The Rattlers will not be allowed to have spring football training camp due to the NCAA-imposed postseason ban for falling below the required 930 Academic Progress Rate score. A source close to the FAMU football program confirmed the spring practice restriction to the Tallahassee Democrat.
FAMU announced in April that it would face NCAA Level Two sanctions, including a postseason ban, due to its APR scores falling below the threshold.
On Tuesday, May 5, the NCAA released APR scores. FAMU had a 918 during the 2024-2025 athletic year, falling 12 points short of the 930.
However, it was an improvement from the Rattlers’ 901 during 2023-2024.
The last time FAMU scored over a 930 was in 2018-2019, earning a 931. Since APR was introduced in 2004-2005, the program has only surpassed 930 twice, alongside the 2008-2009 athletic and academic year.
Not having spring football in 2027 could hinder the Rattlers.
It would give newly hired head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. an initial evaluation of his second-year Rattlers team after completing his first season this fall.
The NCAA allows its teams to have 15 spring practices. FAMU typically uses its final spring camp day to showcase the team to Rattler fans at the Orange and Green Game.
Florida A&M football 2026 schedule
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 GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football won’t have spring practice in 2027 due to NCAA ban
Reporting by Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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