TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Rattlers are beginning week two of spring drills and head coach Willie Simmons is not wasting any time making adjustments. In his wide open spread offense, it requires receivers that can operate in space. To bolster FAMU’s attack, Simmons has moved former running backs Azende Rey and Kevin Newman into position to utilize their skills in the offense. It also is aimed at getting more playmakers on the field.
Rey will now line up at wide receiver and slot receiver, while Newman will lineup as tight end. Newman’s move will help fill the void left by three-year starting tight end Desmond Noird.
“Kevin Newman is a versatile guy. A guy that can catch the ball and also block. For our offense to be successful we need that tight end/H-back-type position and he’s playing that for us and he’s doing a really good job of adjusting to his new role and taking on a new challenge. With his versatility it allows us to lineup in multiple formations to create some mismatches for the defense,” Simmons said.
Newman is a 5’11”, 220 pound redshirt sophomore from Tampa, where he attended Jesuit High School. In two years, he has been used primarily as a blocking fullback. He has caught nine passes over his two years and scored one touchdown.
Newman looks forward to helping his team. “It’s just a transition you’ve gotta make for the team. He preaches to us about being unselfish, so I think it’s just an unselfish move. It starts in him believing in me that I can do it. Their belief in me pushes me to understand that I’ve got to work hard and believe in myself as well,” Newman said.
“Azende is a guy that also brings a lot of versatility. He played running back for us last year, but catches the ball extremely well. He has a good understanding of running routes and attacking leverage. We made the decision to switch him to receiver as we are pretty deep in the backfield. With Ricky Henrilus, Devin Bowers and Bishop Bonnett returning, we wanted to get even more athletes on the field. With Azende switching to receiver, we get more athletic players on the field together. We want to get him the ball in space in his hands so he can make some plays for us,” Simmons said.
Rey is a 5’11”, 195 pound record-setting and highly-touted running back out of Defuniak Springs. In 2017, he garnered 32 carries for 206 yards. He also caught three passes for 16 yards.
“I believe that it’s what is best for my team. I’m trying to benefit myself and coach. I am glad the coaches feel that I am versatile,” Rey said.
“I like the offense. I think this is an explosive offense. It’s well orchestrated by the coach. It’s new, so we’re still learning and adjusting to it and more stuff is going in,” Newman said. Rey echoed “I get the chance to be faster, more swift and fluid in my cuts. The thing is catching the ball and scoring,” Rey concluded.
The Rattlers had practice today at 6:00 AM on their alternating schedule. The morning practice was a brisk one at about 50 degrees inside of Bragg Memorial Stadium.
“The guys are doing a really good job with their position changes and being unselfish. To be a good football team that’s what it’s going to take. It’s going to take a lot of guys being unselfish and maybe do some things they’ve done for the first time or haven’t ever thought about doing before,” said Simmons.
The Rattlers have two more weeks of staggered practice in preparation for the Apr. 21 Orange & Green Game at 12 noon at Bragg Stadium.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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