Beware of this Rattler

There's a reason why Florida A&M University senior LeRoy Vann has become the nation's premier punt-return man, a record-setter who was featured on the pages of Sports Illustrated, an electrifying talent who got the attention of ESPN's "College GameDay" program, prompting an on-campus visit from Desmond Howard, the former Heisman Trophy winner.

"LeRoy is fearless," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "You almost have to be. That ball hangs in the air and sometimes it gets there the same time as the coverage. There are people raining down on you. That doesn't matter to LeRoy. He's absolutely fearless."

But Vann, the former Blake High standout, said that's not entirely true.

"The only thing I fear is the Lord Jesus Christ ... and snakes," Vann said sheepishly.

So the Rattler fears snakes? No worries.

That won't be a problem during today's 30th edition of the Florida Classic, when FAMU (7-3, 5-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) meets Bethune-Cookman University (5-5, 4-3) at Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl.

Vann's quick-striking ability is enough to frighten B-CU.

"He reminds me of myself when I played ball," Wildcats coach Alvin Wyatt said. "It didn't matter where the ball went. I wanted a part of it. He has the same mentality.

"He's a kid you definitely don't want to touch the football. There's not really anything you can do to hold him down. He's a return man, sure, but that's not the only thing he does."

Wyatt said Vann, a 5-foot-8, 185-pounder, is an excellent defensive back. Vann also has been featured in FAMU's version of the wildcat offense, either taking direct snaps or grabbing the handoff while in motion. Taylor terms it the "Rattlesnake."

"Whenever you have a guy like LeRoy, it puts stress on the defense," Taylor said. "So we want him to create as much stress as possible."

Mostly, that has happened during Vann's returns. He averages 29.5 yards on kickoff returns and has scored three touchdowns. On punt returns, he averages 16.5 yards with five more TDs.

Vann, a first-team All-American last season, has tied the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision single-season punt-return TD record (North Carolina A&T's Curtis DeLoach, 2001) and now has eight career punt-return TDs to break the mark of Northern Iowa's Kenny Shedd (seven from 1989-92).

For his career, Vann has 2,876 combined yards on punt and kickoff returns, along with 11 touchdowns.

"Don't kick it to him, that's probably the best way to go," North Carolina A&T coach Alonzo Lee said. "He looks to score every time he gets the ball."

Punters angle the ball away from him. One team lined up two place-kickers, one who faked a kick to the right, drawing Vann over, and another who booted it left.

"That kid is probably one of the most talented players to ever play in this conference," Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "The moment you think you can take a break on him, the FAMU band will be playing the victory song after a touchdown."

It's hard to believe that a player who inspires such respect didn't get that much attention during recruiting. Vann entered FAMU as a preferred walk-on. At times, he admitted letting emotions get the best of him early in his career. Taylor, who took over in 2008, initially called Vann "a player a coach couldn't love" because he seemed too hot-headed.

Eventually, Vann stopped pouting and started playing.

"He's a special talent and he works at it constantly," Taylor said. "He wants to be great. The (NFL) scouts have been around. I think we'll see LeRoy play beyond this season."

As long as he avoids those snakes, everything will be fine.

"I just don't like them, even the little friendly ones," said Vann, who has a Rattler tattoo on his stomach. "The way they move around, you never know what they're going to do or whether they're going to strike you."

Now Vann knows how his opponents feel.