Yahoo Sports Grading the FIU Panthers: Can the offense unlock its full potential and defense improve?
FIU coach Mike MacIntyre has typically seen his teams take a big leap in his third season. The Panthers are entering their third season under his leadership and the ingredients might be there for them to put together their first winning season since 2018.
A lot of it depends on an offense, led by starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins, noticeably improving and a defense that was ranked among the worst FBS schools to also improve.
The Miami Herald grades the Panthers’ roster position-by-position heading into their season opener on Aug. 31 against the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana.
QUARTERBACKS | B
FIU is expecting a jump for Keyone Jenkins, who started last year as a true freshman. Jenkins passed for 2,414 yards – an upgrade of nearly 500 yards over 2022 starter Grayson James. For 2024, Jenkins has gained 16 pounds, and the belief is that his arm is now stronger. And, at 6-0 and 196 pounds, FIU believes Jenkins can better survive hits in the pocket. In addition to Jenkins’ devotion to the weight room, he is also in Year Two working with offensive coordinator David Yost, and that also signals improvement. As for backup quarterback, FIU could be vulnerable there due to a lack of experience. Haden Carlson is the likely No. 2. He is in his fifth year at FIU, but he has thrown a total of just 100 passes in his first four seasons.
RUNNING BACKS | B
This is the deepest FIU has been at running back in years. Lexington Joseph, who led FIU in rushing in 2022, is back from injury. Plus, FIU’s top two rushers from last season – Kejon Owens and Shomari Lawrence – are also back. Owens averaged 5.7 yards per rush last year, and Lawrence averaged 4.5. Joseph averaged 5.0 yards in 2022, and it will be interesting to see if he can return to his previous form.
WIDE RECEIVERS | C
For the second straight season, the Panthers have lost a 1,000-yard receiver to the transfer portal with Tyrese Chambers going to Maryland following 2022; and Kris Mitchell bolting to Notre Dame after 2023. Can the Panthers find another dynamic receiver? The coaching staff is hoping for a breakthrough from Eric Rivers, who was second on the team last year with 32 receptions. Team leader Dean Patterson (28 catches) does everything right, according to his coaches. Newcomers to watch include Desna “DJ” Washington and Nazeviah Burris. Washington, a big target at 6-4 and 210 pounds, grabbed 29 passes for New Mexico last year. Burris caught 21 passes for Stetson last year, and he didn’t drop a single throw this past spring for FIU. He also led FIU in spring catches. At tight end, Rocky Beers led FIU’s position group with 18 catches, averaging just 8.8 yards per reception.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN | D
Coaches say this is the most-improved unit on the team. However, FIU last year finished 124th in the nation in sacks allowed (46). In addition, starting right tackle Phillip Houston transferred to Colorado, and center John Bock II will miss nine games due to a banned-substance suspension. FIU’s three returning starters are left tackle Travis Burke (10 starts), left guard Naeer Jackson (12 starts) and right guard Wyatt Lawson (eight starts). Jackson is the unit’s vocal and emotional leader. The key to the line could be two redshirt freshmen: center Jaheim Buchanon and right tackle JaDarious Lee. Buchanon didn’t play last year. Lee played in 11 games, including two starts. As for depth, center Ming Tjon leads the way since he has 11 games played including five starts. At tackle, two redshirt freshmen -- Mykeal Rabess and Daniel Michel – could make a difference.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN | D
Last year, the Panthers allowed 191 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 121 in the nation. Improvement could come from Germaine “Termite” Carter, a 5-11, 275-pound true freshman nose guard from Miami Norland. Quaylen Hill, who started his career at Florida Memorial, is another powerful nose guard at 5-11 and 315 pounds. He squats 675 pounds. End Jeramy Passmore returns after posting 2½ sacks last year. Other linemen to watch include Keegan Davis, Giovanni Davis; Claude Larkin; Cole Gustafson and Steve Shannon.
LINEBACKERS | C
The Panthers graduated middle linebacker Donovan Manuel, who led the team in tackles for losses (15½) and total stops (121). Fortunately for the Panthers, they return Reggie Peterson, who was second on the team in tackles (104). Elijah Anderson-Taylor, who was sixth on FIU last year with 46 tackles, is now a starter. On the outside in a 3-4 alignment, junior-college transfers Travion Barnes and Dwight Nunoo have flashed due to their speed. Other players to watch are Percy Courtney Jr. and Toddrick Brewton. Courtney has gained solid weight up to 225 pounds.
DEFENSIVE BACKS | B
Safety CJ Christian led FIU last year with three interceptions, and he finished fifth in tackles. The other safety spot belongs to JoJo Evans, who was ineligible last year but has extensive experience. He started 11 games for Kent State in 2022. Prior to that, he played 17 games over two years at Marshall. Converted running back Antonio Patterson is a safety to watch. Jamal Potts, who was fourth in tackles last year with 63, is a highly experienced nickel back as he has started all 24 of FIU’s games the past two years. And, in four years at FIU, he has played in 38 contests. At cornerback, Hezekiah Masses and Brian Blades II return. Blades led the team last year with six passes defended, and Masses ranked second with four. Also at cornerback, true freshman Shamir Sterlin has had a great camp, and redshirt freshmen Mister Clark and Preston Jack Thompson have apparently cracked the rotation.
SPECIAL TEAMS | A
Coordinator Zac Roper has a talented group. At kicker, fifth-year senior Chase Gabriel made a career-high nine field goals last season, and his 75-percent success rate was also a career high (9-of-12). He made a 50-yarder last year, and his career best is 53 yards in 2021. This summer, he worked on his flexibility, which should give him added leg strength. Daton Montiel, also a fifth-year senior, is a solid punter because of his ability to match his hang time with his distance. He is a third-year starter, and he’s on Athlon’s preseason All-C-USA second team. Dean Patterson led the league in punt-return yardage (10.2). Lexington Joseph is a front-runner to be used on kickoff returns. In 2020, he finished fourth in the nation with a 33.5-yard average. In 2022, he finished 20th nationally in total kickoff-return yardage. St. Thomas University transfer Alejandro Prado will handle kickoffs, replacing Lucas Matias. And the long snapper is Jackson Lee, who is a third-year starter at the position.
