As the Florida A&M Rattlers finish fall camp, all eyes are on the quarterback position, a critical factor in their pursuit of back-to-back Celebration Bowl titles.
The competition is heating up between two key contenders: Junior Muratovic, a seasoned veteran in his fourth year with the program, and Daniel Richardson, an experienced graduate transfer. Both are battling it out for the starting role, with each bringing unique strengths to the table.
Quarterbacks coach Henry Burris acknowledges the significance of this competition. Muratovic’s familiarity with the system is a notable advantage. “Junior knows the system inside out,” Burris said. “He’s been in it for three seasons now, and his leadership, both on and off the field, has been impressive. With new wrinkles added to the offense by coach Joseph Henry, Muratovic’s experience is invaluable as the team adapts.”
On the other hand, Richardson offers a wealth of experience from his time in different systems, which Burris believes is crucial. “Daniel brings that rich experience as a sixth-year senior. His leadership qualities, his ability to keep the team calm in tough situations, and his knack for rallying the team when needed are things you can’t teach.”
But the competition doesn’t stop with these two. Burris emphasized that Austin Hooker and Bryson Martin are also making their cases. While Muratovic and Richardson are getting the bulk of the reps, Hooker and Martin are pushing hard, knowing they must seize every opportunity. “I’ve told the guys, ‘Make it so hard for us to take you out.’ We’re waiting to see who will rise above the rest,” Burris said.
When asked what qualities he’s looking for in the starting quarterback, Burris said, “Mental toughness is key. You’ve got to stand tall in the pocket when chaos is all around you, when you’re getting hit, taunted, and tested. But it’s also about leadership, on and off the field. Our quarterback has to embody the vision of a championship team and be the example for others.”
Burris is committed to fairness in the competition, ensuring that all quarterbacks get a shot to showcase their abilities. “We rotate who’s getting the one reps and who’s getting the two reps. It’s about making sure everyone has a fair chance to prove themselves,” he explained. This balanced approach is designed to identify the best fit for the team, with the ultimate goal of finding a leader who can guide the Rattlers to another championship season.
As the Rattlers progress through fall camp, the quarterback competition remains fierce. Burris and the coaching staff seek someone who can elevate the entire team. “We want to be the best quarterback group in the nation,” Burris declared. “If we can hit our goals: taking care of the football, achieving a 70-plus percent completion rate, then we’ll be in a great position to do big things this year.”
Courtesy: Florida A&M Athletics