FAMU’s Kendall Bohler Eyes NFL Opportunity After Stellar Collegiate Career
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – From a quiet beginning at Mercer University to becoming one of Florida A&M’s standout defensive backs, Kendall Bohler is now turning heads as a 2025 NFL Draft prospect. Kendall is proof that hard work, resilience and family support can take a player far.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Rattler cornerback has racked up accolades during his time on the Hill, including back-to-back All-SWAC selections in 2023 and 2024, a BOXTOROW HBCU All-American honor, and recognition on both the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list.
An Orlando, Florida, native Kendall Bohler is one to watch.
Bohler’s impressive collegiate résumé includes 105 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 33 pass breakups, and 2 blocked kicks, making him one of the most productive defensive backs in HBCU football over the last two seasons.
But his journey didn’t start at the top.
“I actually started out playing quarterback,” Bohler said. “But around 10th grade, I saw my older brother playing DB and making plays. I wanted to try it out, and it just stuck.”
That older brother is Guysen Bohler, a fellow FAMU defensive back. The brothers’ bond, both on and off the field, has played a significant role in Bohler’s growth.
“We trained together, studied film together, and even played on the same side of the field sometimes,” Bohler said. “That made it easier for me because we’ve been doing this together since youth football. He pushed me to be better than him.”
Beyond his performance in coverage, Kendall Bohler’s willingness to contribute on special teams, including blocking kicks, adds to his NFL appeal.
After transferring to Florida A&M University in 2021, Bohler wasted no time impacting the Rattler secondary. By 2022, he had emerged as a key playmaker and a rising star in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). In 2023, his breakout season solidified his role as one of the most dynamic defensive backs in HBCU football.
FAMU head football coach James Colzie III, who coached Bohler during his rise, credits Kendall’s versatility and attention to detail as key elements in his development.
“We initially moved him from safety to corner because we were trying to get our five best players on the field,” Coach Colzie said. “By the end of the year, he wasn’t just one of our best players at FAMU. He was one of the best in the conference.”
Coach Colzie highlighted a defining moment in Bohler’s career during a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff; the cornerback intercepted a well-scouted route they had prepared for all week.
“He picked the pass off mid-air in front of a huge crowd,” Coach Colzie said. “That’s when our relationship went to another level.”
Beyond his performance in coverage, Bohler’s willingness to contribute on special teams, including blocking kicks, adds to his NFL appeal. His scouting report describes him as a high-motor, physical defender with smooth transitions, recovery speed and excellent burst, which makes him an ideal fit for zone-based schemes.
After transferring to Florida A&M University in 2021, Kendall Bohler wasted no time
impacting the Rattler secondary.
Despite the physical tools and accolades, Bohler says his journey hasn’t been without challenges. One of the most difficult moments came off the field when he lost a childhood friend whom he considered a brother.
“That was hard,” Bohler said. “But I kept playing through him, honoring his memory. That pain pushed me even harder.”
Bohler also credits the unique culture at FAMU with shaping him into a better athlete and person.
“Coming from a PWI to an HBCU, I felt the difference,” he said. “Here, you build stronger relationships with your coaches and teammates because they’ve lived some of the same experiences. That support system made all the difference.”
As he prepares for the next chapter in his career, Bohler remains focused on making his family proud and inspiring others from similar backgrounds.
“My goal is to make sure my family never has to work again,” he said. “I want to show young athletes from HBCUs that they can make it too, if they just stay focused, stay confident and never forget your ‘why.’”
Coach Colzie believes that Bohler’s success story will have a lasting impact on the FAMU football program.
“Kendall getting NFL attention shows scouts that elite talent is right here at FAMU,” he said. “It also sends a message to recruits that you don’t have to go to a Power Five school to reach the league.”
With NFL scouts watching closely, Bohler is not only chasing his professional dreams; he’s carrying the pride of a university, a family legacy, and a community that’s been with him every step of the way.
Photos by: FAMU Football
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