Yahoo Sports FIU adjusting to new rule on radio-equipped helmets, plus more from fall practice
Keyone Jenkins said there was “static.”
In April, the NCAA approved the use of helmets equipped with a coach-to-player communication system. In essence, only one player – almost always the quarterback -- can wear that radio-equipped helmet.
For FIU, that means Jenkins getting the signals directly from offensive coordinator David Yost.
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On July 31, when FIU had its first practice of the fall, Jenkins talked about how it went with the new communication system. Jenkins said it was “smooth” overall, but then he added this:
“It was in and out a little bit. There was static. There are pros and cons to it but more pros. I can hear the play more, and (Yost) can tell me details. (The radio-equipped helmet) helps more than it hurts.”
FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said he doesn’t yet know how the new system will work.
“We’re using it in practice every day so that they can get used to it,” MacIntyre said.
MacIntyre added that he doesn’t want information overload.
“Too much talking to a player is not good,” MacIntyre said. “Try to get the play across, and get a little piece of information in here or there. For example, ‘Be aware of a corner blitz … Players minds are going everywhere. So, just give them a little tidbit.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU special teams coordinator Zac Roper said on Monday that running back Lexington “Flex” Joseph is in the running to be the Panthers’ primary kickoff returner. Joseph missed all of last season due to injury, but he is practicing in full this fall. And, In 2022, Joseph ranked 20th in the nation with 556 kickoff-return yards.
“Flex is a playmaker,” Roper said. “When you have a playmaker, you put him in positions where he can help the team. Flex is a big, strong dude with natural vision, and he has no fear. Plus, he has the (video) tape (from past years) to back it up.”
▪ FIU intercepted just seven passes in 2022 and only six last year, making it 13 picks in 24 games under MacIntyre.
For perspective, consider that Conference USA rival Liberty led the nation last season with 21 interceptions.
In drills this year, MacIntyre said, FIU’s defensive players are placing a bigger emphasis on “catching the ball when it is near you instead of tipping it. If we catch three or four of those in games, that’s a big difference. We’re also trying to have more vision on the quarterback.”
▪ This summer, MacIntyre said his coaching staff “broke down” the game film of FIU’s first three opponents: Indiana, Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic.
However, in a three-week span in November, FIU is expected to face two starting quarterbacks from South Florida: Jacksonville State’s Zion Turner (from St. Thomas Aquinas) and Middle Tennessee’s Nicholas Vattiato (University School).
Turner, a transfer from Connecticut, is new this year to Jacksonville State, which went 8-3 in 2023, including a bowl win over Louisiana.
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Vattiato was the MVP of the Bahamas Bowl in 2022. Last year, he started all 12 games for Middle Tennessee, passing for career highs in yards (3,092) and touchdowns (23) but also interceptions (13). This will be his fourth year in college.
Turner passed for 1,407 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a Connecticut freshman in 2022. Last year, he rode the bench, completing just 2-of-5 passes in mop-up duty.
