WATCH: FAMU CB Bohler excited to return to Orlando for Florida Classic
Kendall Bohler is a cornerback for the Florida A&M Rattlers.
Former FAMU cornerback Kendall Bohler signed a three-year undrafted free agent contract with the Denver Broncos.Bohler, an HBCU All-American and Black College National Champion, participated in various pre-draft events.He joins four other FAMU alumni currently in the NFL.Bohler aims to prove himself and represent HBCU football during the Broncos’ rookie minicamp and upcoming season.
The work starts now for Kendall Bohler.
This week, the former Florida A&M cornerback will begin his professional football career when the Denver Broncos start rookie minicamp.
Bohler left on Thursday, May 8 for the three-day rookie minicamp happening from Friday, May 9 to Sunday, May 11, at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit in Englewood, Colorado. It’ll be the 24-year-old Orlando native’s first time in Colorado.
“First, I’ll thank God and my family for putting me in this position,” Bohler told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I’ve put in so much hard work.”
After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Bohler was offered a three-year undrafted free-agent contract to join the Broncos on Saturday, April 26.
Bohler joins a Broncos team that finished 10-7 and appeared in the NFL Playoffs’ Wild Card round under head coach Sean Payton.
“It felt unreal. It felt like a movie,” Bohler reflected on getting called by the Broncos. “Many people don’t even get that chance to get a minicamp invite. And I ended up getting signed. It felt amazing.”
Out of Ocoee High School, Bohler began his college football career at Mercer University in 2019 before transferring to FAMU, where he spent the 2021-2024 seasons. At FAMU, Bohler was an HBCU All-American, regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision, and helped the Rattlers win the 2023 Black College National Championship.
But the 6-foot, 195-pound shutdown corner didn’t stop there.
After his final college football season, Bohler took every opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts at pre-draft events like the Hula Bowl, HBCU NFL Combine, the HBCU Legacy Bowl, and FAMU’s on-campus Pro Day.
“Offseason training ― the combine, Legacy Bowl, and Hula Bowl ― God put in the position to excel in those camps, and those combines,” Bohler said.
Denver Broncos’ Kendall Bohler is the latest FAMU football alum to go to the NFL
FAMU hasn’t had a player picked in the NFL Draft since the Detroit Lions selected former Rattlers linebacker Brandon Hepburn in the seventh round in 2013.
Still, FAMU football has five alumni in the NFL.
Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys), Isaiah Land (Indianapolis Colts), Xavier Smith (Los Angeles Rams), Terrell Jennings (New England Patriots), and Bohler (Denver Broncos) represent the Rattlers on the highest level of football.
Bohler said he’s spoken with fellow NFL Rattlers as he enters training camp.
“They told me to stay focused, keep doing what I’m doing, play my game, and be a great teammate as I have been already,” Bohler said.
Bohler is entering the Broncos rookie minicamp with something to prove.
He wants to help put HBCU football on the map.
This year, just one HBCU football player was selected when Alabama A&M offensive lineman Carson Vinson got drafted in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder,” Bohler said. “I feel like HBCU athletes are more hungry because we come from less than what the bigger schools have. I’m ready to take reps, and go against the best. It’s a mindset thing.”
Former FAMU football star Kendall Bohler starting ‘new chapter’ with Denver Broncos
After the rookie minicamp, Bohler will participate in the Broncos’ organized team activities and July’s preseason training camp.
The Broncos’ 2025 season schedule will be released during the NFL’s release on Wednesday, May 14.
“It’s a new chapter in life. It’s like being a true freshman again,” Bohler said. “I’m excited to get out there and ball out. I’m finally a pro, so I’m ready to go out there and do what I do.”
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.