Grading The FIU Panthers: Inside The Offense Unlocking Its Full Potential And Defense Improving

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre usually sees significant improvement in his teams during the third season. As the Panthers enter their third year under his guidance, they may have the elements needed to achieve their first winning season since 2018. Much of this hinges on the offense, spearheaded by starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins, making noticeable progress, as well as a defense that was among the weakest in FBS needing to step up. The Miami Herald assesses the Panthers’ roster by position as they prepare for their season opener on August 31 against the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana.

QUARTERBACKS | B
FIU expects Keyone Jenkins to elevate his game after starting as a true freshman last year. Jenkins threw for 2,414 yards, nearly 500 more than 2022 starter Grayson James. For 2024, Jenkins has added 16 pounds and is believed to have a stronger arm. At 6’0″ and 196 pounds, he’s better equipped to handle hits in the pocket. With his commitment to the weight room and another year under offensive coordinator David Yost, improvement is anticipated. However, the backup quarterback position could be a concern due to inexperience, with Haden Carlson likely stepping in. Although he’s in his fifth year at FIU, he’s only made 100 pass attempts over the previous four seasons.

RUNNING BACKS | B
This year marks one of the deepest groups FIU has had at running back in years. Lexington Joseph, who led the team in rushing in 2022, returns from injury, and the top two rushers from last season, Kejon Owens and Shomari Lawrence, are also back. Owens averaged 5.7 yards per carry, while Lawrence averaged 4.5. Joseph had an average of 5.0 yards in 2022, and it will be intriguing to see if he can regain his previous performance.

WIDE RECEIVERS | C
For the second consecutive year, the Panthers lost a 1,000-yard receiver to the transfer portal, with Tyrese Chambers moving to Maryland after 2022 and Kris Mitchell heading to Notre Dame following 2023. The coaching staff is searching for a new standout receiver, hoping for Eric Rivers to break out after ranking second on the team last year with 32 catches. Team leader Dean Patterson, with 28 receptions, is praised by coaches for his reliable play. New additions to watch include Desna “DJ” Washington, a 6’4″, 210-pound target who caught 29 passes for New Mexico last season, and Nazeviah Burris, who had 21 receptions for Stetson and led FIU in catches during spring practice without any drops. At tight end, Rocky Beers led the position group with 18 receptions, averaging 8.8 yards per catch.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN | D
Coaches consider this the team’s most improved unit. However, FIU ranked 124th nationally in sacks allowed last season (46 total). Additionally, starting right tackle Phillip Houston has transferred to Colorado, and center John Bock II will be sidelined for nine games due to a substance-related suspension. The three returning starters are left tackle Travis Burke (10 starts), left guard Naeer Jackson (12 starts), and right guard Wyatt Lawson (8 starts), with Jackson serving as the unit’s vocal leader. Two redshirt freshmen, center Jaheim Buchanon and right tackle JaDarious Lee, could be pivotal. Buchanon did not play last year, while Lee saw action in 11 games, including two starts. For depth, center Ming Tjon, with 11 games played and five starts, leads the way. Redshirt freshmen Mykeal Rabess and Daniel Michel could also have an impact at tackle.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN | D
Last season, the Panthers allowed an average of 191 rushing yards per game, placing them 121st in the nation. Potential improvements could come from Germaine “Termite” Carter, a 5’11”, 275-pound true freshman nose guard from Miami Norland. Quaylen Hill, a powerful 5’11”, 315-pound nose guard who began his career at Florida Memorial and can squat 675 pounds, is another option. End Jeramy Passmore returns after recording 2.5 sacks last year. Other linemen to keep an eye on include Keegan Davis, Giovanni Davis, Claude Larkin, Cole Gustafson, and Steve Shannon.

LINEBACKERS | C
The Panthers lost middle linebacker Donovan Manuel, who led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss and 121 total stops. Fortunately, they return Reggie Peterson, who was second on the team with 104 tackles. Elijah Anderson-Taylor, who had 46 tackles last year and was sixth on FIU’s list, is now a starter. In the 3-4 alignment on the outside, junior-college transfers Travion Barnes and Dwight Nunoo have shown promise with their speed. Other players to watch include Percy Courtney Jr., who has increased his weight to a solid 225 pounds, and Toddrick Brewton.

DEFENSIVE BACKS | B
Safety CJ Christian topped FIU last season with three interceptions and ranked fifth in tackles. The other safety position is filled by JoJo Evans, who missed last year but brings significant experience, having started 11 games for Kent State in 2022 and playing 17 games over two years at Marshall. Converted running back Antonio Patterson is another safety to keep an eye on. Jamal Potts, who finished fourth on the team with 63 tackles, is a highly experienced nickel back, having started all 24 games for FIU over the past two seasons and appeared in 38 contests during his four years at the program. At cornerback, Hezekiah Masses and Brian Blades II return, with Blades leading the team last year with six passes defended and Masses following with four. True freshman Shamir Sterlin has impressed during camp, and redshirt freshmen Mister Clark and Preston Jack Thompson have reportedly made the rotation.

SPECIAL TEAMS | A
Coordinator Zac Roper has a skilled group to work with. Fifth-year senior kicker Chase Gabriel had a career-high nine field goals last season, achieving a 75-percent success rate (9-of-12), and he made a 50-yarder, with a career best of 53 yards in 2021. This summer, he focused on flexibility to enhance his leg strength. Fifth-year senior Daton Montiel is a reliable punter known for his ability to combine hang time with distance, serving as a third-year starter and earning a spot on Athlon’s preseason All-C-USA second team. Dean Patterson led the league in punt-return yardage with an average of 10.2 yards. Lexington Joseph is a top candidate for kickoff returns, having finished fourth in the nation in 2020 with a 33.5-yard average and 20th nationally in total kickoff-return yardage in 2022. St. Thomas University transfer Alejandro Prado will handle kickoffs this season, taking over for Lucas Matias, and Jackson Lee returns as the long snapper, now in his third year as a starter.