A Florida A&M football duo earned the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s recognition after their performances versus Alcorn State.
Rattlers quarterback RJ Johnson III was named the SWAC’s Co-Newcomer of the Week for a standout showing in FAMU’s 33-28 homecoming win versus the Alcorn State Braves.
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Returning to action after being benched the previous week, the redshirt sophomore transfer from the Toledo Rockets completed 26 of 38 pass attempts for 323 yards. He added passing and rushing touchdown apiece.
Johnson shared the newcomer award with Prairie View A&M safety Travor Randle.
Meanwhile, FAMU kicker Daniel Porto went four of five, making field goal attempts from 36, 28, 51, and 38 yards. The junior who transferred from Holy Cross this season was named the SWAC Specialist of the Week.
Florida A&M Rattlers kicker Daniel Porto (36) kicks for the extra point. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Fresh off getting their first SWAC win of the season and ending a two-game losing streak, the Rattlers will travel to Baton Rouge to face the Southern Jaguars in a Week 9 in-league game this Saturday, Oct. 25.
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Pregame fireworks have already sparked as Southern parted ways with its second-year head coach, Terrence Graves, after the Jaguars started this season 1-6. Longtime Alcorn State head coach Fred McNair, now Southern’s co-offensive coordinator, will serve as the Jaguars’ interim head coach moving forward.
FAMU versus Southern kicks off at A.W. Mumford Stadium at 5 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN+.
Florida A&M (2-4, 1-1 in SWAC) at Southern (1-6, 0-3 in SWAC)
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When: Saturday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
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Where: A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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TV/Radio: ESPN+, 96.1 JAMZ
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist 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’s RJ Johnson, Daniel Porto recognized by SWAC for Alcorn game
