Yahoo Sports FIU football looking to fix defensive issues with impressive newcomers
FIU linebacker Eddie Walls III, who is also a part-time mechanic, recently fixed a burned-out headlight on a car belonging to his defensive coordinator, Jovan Dewitt.
If only fixing FIU’s defense were so easy.
Last year, FIU allowed 31.8 points per game, which ranked next-to-last in Conference USA and tied for 107th place in the nation.
The Panthers allowed 191 rushing yards per game, ranking 121st. They were only slightly better against the pass, ranking 98th in the nation with 246 yards allowed.
Gone from last year’s defense is standout inside linebacker Donovan Manuel, who led the team in overall tackles (121) and tackles for losses (15½). Starting defensive lineman Jordan Guerad is also gone, transferring to Louisville.
The Panthers need more big plays in 2024. Last year, they forced just 12 turnovers, and they return no players who had four or more sacks or eight or more tackles for losses in 2023.
Dewitt said his 2024 depth chart is still in flux.
“We’re in the gritty part of camp,” he said. “It’s easy to go hard in the first four days of camp. But the next week will separate guys.
“Once you start getting bruises and sore, and you are dehydrated … It starts to feel like a job. You have to find the grit within yourself.”
Fifth-year senior inside linebacker Reggie Peterson has that grit. He is FIU’s top returning player and also its vocal leader. Peterson was second on FIU last year with a career-high 104 tackles.
Elijah Anderson-Taylor, who had 46 tackles last year, will step in for Manuel as FIU’s other starter at inside linebacker.
The strength of the team should be an experienced secondary led by safeties CJ Christian and JoJo Evans, cornerbacks Brian Blade II and Hezekiah Masses and nickel back Jamal Potts.
But beyond those players, here are some surprising defensive standouts this fall:
▪ Germaine “Termite” Carter, a 5-11, 275-pounder, is a true freshman from Norland. “He explodes in the middle,” Dewitt said. “When we watch film, it shows him pursuing all the way down the line, making plays.”
▪ Quaylen Hill, a 5-11, 315-pounder who started his career at Florida Memorial, is another potential standout at nose guard. He squats 675 pounds and is hard to move.
“We’ve told him to anchor the middle,” Dewitt said. “Don’t let the center climb to the next level.”
▪ Walls started 11 games at outside linebacker for Bethune-Cookman last year, posting a team-high 14½ tackles for losses. He also had four sacks, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
At 6-4 and 245 pounds, Walls has gotten into the passing lanes this fall. Added Dewitt: “We’ve batted more balls in this camp than we have in a long time.”
▪ Dwight Nunoo, a 6-0, 220-pound junior-college transfer, has flashed at outside linebacker due to his speed.
“He is extremely physical and plays with heavy hands,” Dewitt said.
▪ Percy Courtney Jr., a 5-11, 215-pounder from Western High, is in his third season at FIU. He has played 12 games in two years, all as a backup, but he has earned Dewitt’s praise.
“Last year,” Dewitt said, “the limiting factor for Percy was: ‘Can he play in the box?’ But he has answered that question. He has put in the work to get bigger and stronger.”
▪ Shamir Sterlin, a true freshman cornerback from Port St. Lucie, has great length at 6-2. He could start the season as FIU’s first cornerback off the bench.
“Don’t count him out,” Dewitt said. “Shamir is so mature for his age. He is one of the most advanced freshmen I’ve seen in a long time. He’s been able to handle everything we’ve thrown at him so far.”
