G5 Football Daily

FIU Football: Seniors to be Honored Saturday

A list of the Panthers that will be honored prior to kickoff against the We

Kevin Barral

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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MIAMI, F.L. - Saturday marks the final game in an FIU jersey for a couple of players who have been with the program. 14 players are set to be honored before the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Seniors to be Honored:

* Jalen Bracey, wide receiver

* Jack Daly, defensive lineman

* Donovan Manuel, linebacker

* Dverick Daniel, safety

* Lucas Matias, kicker

* Michael Williams, defensive back

* Jackson McDonald, tight end

* Kris Mitchell, wide receiver

* Alex Nobles, linebacker

* Sam Hill, offensive lineman

* Avery Huff, linebacker

* AJ Mathis, linebacker

* Adrian Cole, safety

Here is some more info on the seniors that will be honored this afternoon prior to the start of the game.

Donovan Manuel has the opportunity to hold the single-season record for most forced fumbles. He currently has five, which ties him with multiple players who have reached that mark.

Through 11 games this season, Manuel is third in the conference in tackles, second in tackles for loss and first in forced fumbles this season. He has totaled 111 tackles, but throughout his FIU career (before WKU game), Manuel has recorded 208 total tackles, 109 solo tackles, 99 assisted tackles and had 1.5 sacks.

The Panthers' top wideout Kris Mitchell has a chance at history this weekend against the Hilltoppers defense which ranks at the bottom of Conference USA. Currently standing at 1,002 receiving yards, Mitchell has the opportunity to surpass former teammate Tyrese Chambers and become the single-season receiving yards leader.

Mitchell will be honored and then will weigh in all of his options as his goal is to play in the NFL and he has made that very clear, but if he doesn't have a chance at getting selected this upcoming NFL draft, he will look towards the 2025 draft.

RELATED: HOW TO WATCH AND PREVIEW: WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS @ FIU FOOTBALL

Adrian Cole was one of the first transfers that FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre brought in when he arrived on the scene. Since then, Cole has dealt with injuries, but when on the field, he totaled 61 tackles, 40 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, one sack and one interception.

Jalen Bracey was one of the first offensive players to commit to FIU under MacIntyre era. As we enter this afternoons contest, the Panthers slot receiver has career total of 63 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns. Bracey was seen this past game against Arkansas in the backfield, so it is worth keeping an eye out on as we go into the final game of the season.

This season is where we have finally been able to see more production out of Marathon, Florida product Jackson McDonald. The redshirt Junior has been a Panther since the 2019 season, where he didn't see any action, but played through the 2020 season and on. He currently stands at a career total of 16 receptions for 158 yards. McDonald is yet to score his first collegiate touchdown.

D'Verick Daniel has been with the Panthers for two seasons and has found success, especially this season. Daniel's FIU career numbers currently sit at 101 total tackles, 40 assisted tackles, 67 solo tackles and one interception which came in the Panthers week zero contest against Louisiana Tech.

Alex Nobles is in his second and final year with the Panthers as he comes from the University of North Carolina. This season, Nobles has been able to inject himself into a bigger role in a defense that lost several key pieces. Through his two season, the grad student currently sits at 70 total tackles, 47 solo tackles, 23 assisted tackles and five and a half sacks.

The Panthers are set to kickoff against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at 3:00 PM EST on ESPN+. FIU is trying to go for their fifth win of the season and end the season on a high note.

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Kevin Barral
KEVIN BARRAL

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