Special teams opens door to playing time at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Curtis Alexander had every reason to believe that he would be able to make a strong argument for playing time at linebacker in his first season at FAMU.

Alexander, a member of head coach Earl Holmes’ first recruiting class this past spring, led East Gadsden High’s defense last season with 76 tackles.

But with plenty of experience and depth at his position, Alexander’s best chance of playing his first college football game could be on special teams. He isn’t fretting, though.

“I’m going to go out and play special teams hard and work with it from there,” said the 6-foot-1, 220 pounder. “I think the opportunity to play on special teams is a privilege. It takes hard work.”

By focusing on special teams, Alexander is taking the same route that some of FAMU’s best players have taken to earning playing time at their positions. Linebacker Brandon Hepburn did it, and so did Kevin Elliott. Those are two of the Rattlers’ former players who recently made it into the NFL.

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