Transfer Portal: Desna Washington Provides Something New To FIU Receivers Room

One of the tallest receivers in the transfer portal is on his way back home to Miami.

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most notable players that signed with FIU on Wednesday was 6'5", 220-pound New Mexico Lobos transfer Desna Washington. In 2023, the Belle Glade product caught 29 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

Redzone threat secured ✅@desnawashingto2 is back home in South Florida 🌴#Roar24 pic.twitter.com/uLg83PzYQF

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) December 20, 2023

Before making the move to New Mexico, Washington spent time at Iowa Central, a JUCO that should be familiar to FIU fans given that safety CJ Christian played there before joining the Panthers.

While at Iowa Central, Washington hauled in 107 passes for 2,027 yards and 24 touchdowns.

6-5” WR Desna Washington (@desnawashingto2) making a highlight reel catch over a defender for a 42 yard touchdown! pic.twitter.com/gKpYMKt7Cf

— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 17, 2019

While the tallest wide receiver on the Panthers' roster will be mainly seen as a red zone target, FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre also highlighted how good he is with 50/50 balls.

"He wanted to come and play near home," said MacIntyre during his press conference on Wednesday. "He's able to catch those 50/50 balls really well. There was a lot of schools all over the country that wanted this young man and I thought that we did a heck of a job recruiting him and wanting to be playing back in your home, which is a key. When we look at the transfers, we look at Florida kids and he was one of those young men so we're excited about having him here."

Along with Washington, the Panthers brought in transfer Nazeviah Burris and signed freshman Eric Nelson and Nicholas Smith Jr. 

Florida International had a total of four wide receivers sign in the early period. The Panthers averaged 229.3 passing yards per game in 2023, with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.