ALBANY, Ga. — A new era of Albany State University football is set to begin Saturday night as Head Football Coach David Bowser leads the Golden Rams into their 2026 season opener against Florida A&M University.
Albany State and FAMU will kick off Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium, as the Golden Rams begin their first season under Bowser.
Bowser takes over an Albany State program that will feature a combination of experienced returners and new faces on both sides of the ball as the Golden Rams prepare for their first test of the season.
"After having an intense and physical fall camp, we are very excited to be able to finally compete against one of the top FCS programs," Bowser said. "This will give us an opportunity to evaluate ourselves in several areas as a football team."
Defensively, Albany State will be led by defensive lineman Derrick Drayton, who enters the 2026 campaign with several preseason honors. Drayton was named First Team All-SIAC on the defensive line and earned D2 Elite 100 First Team Defense recognition. He was also selected to the BOXTOROW 2026 HBCU College Football Preseason All-America First Team.
Drayton also enters the season on the Black College Football Hall of Fame Player of the Year Award Watch List for the Deacon Jones Trophy. The College Park, Georgia, native is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he recorded 32 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Cameron Watts gives the Golden Rams another experienced playmaker to watch. Watts earned preseason All-SIAC recognition as a return specialist, receiving First Team honors as a kick returner and Second Team honors as a punt returner. Along with his impact on special teams, Watts is expected to see time at defensive back this season.
Albany State will also rely on the experience of defensive lineman De'avary Weeks. His veteran presence gives the Golden Rams another key piece up front alongside Drayton as Albany State prepares to face the Rattlers.
Offensively, the Golden Rams will turn to Alabama A&M transfer JD Davis II as their starting quarterback. Davis will make his first start in the blue and gold Saturday night as he takes the reins of the Albany State offense against FAMU.
Up front, Ty'Orice Brown returns as one of the key pieces along the offensive line after contributing to the Golden Rams a season ago. His experience will be important for an Albany State offense entering its first season under Bowser.
The Golden Rams also add Roderick McCrary to the running back room. The Grambling State transfer gives Albany State another option in the backfield and is expected to be a key piece of the Golden Rams' rushing attack this season.
Saturday night will provide the first opportunity for Bowser and the Golden Rams to take the field together as Albany State looks to begin a new chapter of Golden Rams football with a strong showing against Florida A&M.
Kickoff between Albany State and Florida A&M is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Game Information
Opponent: Florida A&M University
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium
Watch: https://tv.swac.org/
Live Stats: https://famuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 12 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, and football, with all teams competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
