FIU Football: 2024 Spring Preview

MIAMI - A new season with new opportunities has arrived for head coach Mike MacIntyre and the FIU Panthers. 2024 will mark the third year of the “MacIntyre

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI - A new season with new opportunities has arrived for head coach Mike MacIntyre and the FIU Panthers. 2024 will mark the third year of the “MacIntyre Era.”

Following two straight 4-8 seasons, along with a drop in conference wins in 2023, the need for improvement is apparent. 

Key losses include wide receiver Kris Mitchell, defensive lineman Jordan Guerad and multiple offensive linemen including Phillip Houston. All three transferred to Power Four teams this offseason. Another key loss is linebacker and leading tackler, Donovan Manuel, currently preparing for the NFL Draft. 

Despite departures from those areas, there are still players to be excited about, especially on the defensive side of the ball and in the wide receiver room.

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Offensive Preview

Keyone Jenkins should be all but locked in as the starting. However, Haden Carlson, Chayden Peery, Amari Jones and freshman Clayton Dees are all in the room with him and should provide good competition for the talented sophomore. Jenkins led the team in rushing touchdowns last season with six, while throwing for over 2,400 yards.

The wide receiver room seems to always be the most consistent part for FIU. The biggest loss was Kris Mitchell, who transferred to Notre Dame but returners include Dean Patterson, Eric Rivers and Luby Maurice Jr. 

Despite the loss of Mitchell, the Panthers added multiple notable receivers through the transfer portal in 6'5", 220-pound New Mexico transfer Desna Washington and Georgia Tech transfer Juju Lewis, both Florida natives.

Through high school recruitment, the additions of Eric Nelson and Nicholas Smith Jr. are also strong ones, as both of them can redshirt this upcoming season and learn from the veterans of the group.

The tight ends continue to be a group that should improve. Towards the end of the 2023 season, Air Force transfer Rocky Beers saw a lot of action and even scored his first FIU touchdown. Josiah Miamen and Beers should receive plenty of playing time.

The running back room may be the biggest storyline on offense. The combination of Shomari Lawrence and Kejon Owens worked well for the most part, but Lexington "Flex" Joseph is 100% healthy and ready to come back after a season-ending injury last season. Lawrence and Owens combined for nine rushing touchdowns with over 1,000 yards on the ground. Do the Panthers find a way to give all three meaningful roles in the offense?

The offensive line may have lost a couple of starters, but the last two games of the season were encouraging. Additions made through recruiting and the transfer portal also stand out. Jaleel Davis, the 6'6", 315-pound N.C. State transfer can play all spots on the offensive line, something that MacIntyre and his staff made a priority when it came to recruiting.

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Defensive Preview

On the defensive side of the ball, the linebacker group continues to see growth. Reggie Peterson, who had 104 total tackles will be the leader of this linebacker group, but JUCO addition Travion Barnes and Bethune-Cookman transfer Eddie Walls III.

Another position to keep an eye out for will be the cornerback group. The duo of Hezekiah Masses and Brian Blades II stood out in 2023. Both combined for a total of 78 tackles. That duo is still young and will have some more years together, so it is interesting to see how they will progress under new cornerbacks coach Anthony Gaitor.

Up front, replacing veterans along the defensive line will be a challenge. Redshirt senior Jeramy Passmore should continue to see his role increase, given the departures of Guerad and pro prospect Jack Daly. Passmore had four TFLs and two sacks in 2023. Younger players like DT Quaylen Hill will likely need to be ready for an opportunity.

FIU begin spring practice on March, 12 with their spring game scheduled for April 13.