FAMU baseball four-year starter Jalen Niles committed to 'leave a legacy' in final season

When Jalen Niles joined the Florida A&M baseball team in 2020, he never envisioned how much the program would mean to him.

Five years later, the 23-year-old holds the Rattlers in high regard as he enters the home stretch of his college baseball career.

This weekend, Niles and his senior FAMU baseball teammates will be honored as they play their final home series versus Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent Alabama A&M, starting Friday, May 2, and concluding Sunday, May 4.

“When I first came to college, I didn’t think I’d be here for five years. But I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it ― all the people I’ve met, the coaches I’ve been with along the way,” Niles told the Tallahassee Democrat.

“It doesn’t get any better than FAMU baseball. So, I’m blessed for every opportunity and excited to play my last game here in front of my family.”

FAMU head baseball coach Jamey Shouppe recruited the then-150-pound and shorthaired Niles out of Tampa’s Jesuit High School. Niles redshirted his true freshman season.

Niles, now 20 pounds heavier with his hair in locs, has become a four-year starting shortstop for the Rattlers. He helped the Rattlers win the program’s first-ever SWAC title and represented FAMU in Major League Baseball’s inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic, both in 2023.

This season, Niles is one of FAMU’s best defenders with a .935 fielding percentage, 91 assists, 54 putouts, and 18 double plays.

“Jay has grown up a lot since he came in his freshman year and redshirted. He’s started basically every game since then,” Shouppe said of his shortstop. “He got stronger, learned the game, our system, and he’s one of our leaders on this year’s team.”

While Niles has shined on the baseball diamond for the Rattlers, he’s a soon-to-be two-time FAMU alumnus.

In 2024, Niles completed his Bachelor’s in Health, Leisure, and Fitness while making the SWAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll list. This December, Niles will finish his Masters in Sport Management.

Becoming a FAMU grad added Niles to his family’s legacy of Rattlers and HBCU graduates.

“It’s kind of a full circle momentum for being able to come here and play a college sport at the school that a bunch of my family went to,” Niles said. “Being able to come here, start four years, win a bunch of individual accolades, it feels like this is where I was supposed to be.”

Jalen Niles' early baseball journey planted seeds for FAMU baseball career

Niles’ interest in baseball was piqued as a toddler.

As a child, he would throw baseballs in the house. Then, his parents bought him his first glove and would take him outside to play catch.

Niles’ first team was Tampa’s Wellswood Baseball Park’s youth team. Niles played at Wellswood Park until he left for college and still trains there during the offseason.

In 2019, Niles became a championship baseball player, helping the Jesuit Tigers win the Class 6A title in the Florida High School State Championships.

Niles and Jesuit often played against his FAMU teammate Ben Kim’s Robinson High School in Tampa. Kim joined FAMU during the 2021-2022 season, a year after Niles.

“I didn’t know him that well, but ever since I got here, we’ve created a bond,” said Kim. “He’s helped me mentally mature and acclimate to college baseball. On top of that, he’s one of my best friends now. It’s great to have a friend like him for the rest of my life, and I can’t thank him enough for the help he’s given me.”

Kim, a redshirt junior, will still be on FAMU’s baseball team in 2026.

So, the lessons and wisdom Niles has imparted to his hometown friend will still resound in the FAMU baseball program.

“I just wanted to leave a legacy, not for myself, but with the teams that I’ve been a part of,” Niles said. “Being a part of some of the best teams FAMU has had has been my goal since I got here.”

Jalen Niles on FAMU baseball's Moore-Kittles Field: 'Memories and countless hours.'

Niles has worked tirelessly to make sure he plays this weekend.

Last Saturday, April 26, he left FAMU’s series versus Grambling State with a leg injury after a defender landed on him.

He wore a boot for the rest of the weekend series but has been practicing without it leading up to the Rattlers’ home finale series versus the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

“I don’t want the last time I’m playing here to be me getting stepped on,” Niles said. “I wanted to return and play my last game on my terms. I’m trying to come back Friday, but if not, I’ll be back either Saturday or Sunday.”

FAMU baseball versus Alabama A&M’s SWAC series start times are 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

Niles and his fellow Rattler baseball graduates will be recognized for Senior Day in a pregame ceremony on Saturday.

“It’s going to be weird not putting his name in the lineup after having done it four years,” Shouppe said of Niles. “He’s been a good Rattler. I’m going to miss him as well as his family next year. Hopefully, we can say goodbye with a SWAC Championship ring.”

SWAC champion, NCAA Tournament participant, HBCU All-Star.

Niles’ resume’ is a testament to how he blossomed on Moore-Kittles Field.

“All the memories and countless hours even when nobody was here,” Niles said when asked what Moore-Kittles Field means to him.

“It’s not just the games ― but the hard work that’s been put in and the friendships that have been made here, learning about the game and growing as a man.”

Florida A&M vs Alabama A&M SWAC baseball series schedule

• Friday, May 2 at 5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m.
• Sunday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

All games will be played at Moore-Kittles Field on FAMU's campus.

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 baseball senior shortstop Jalen Niles aims to leave impact on Rattlers