Grading the Panthers: What are FIU’s strengths and weaknesses for the 2023 season?

QUARTERBACKS | C

In his first season as a collegiate starter in 2022, Grayson James completed 58.7 percent of his passes and had 11 touchdown throws and 11 interceptions. He was FIU’s leading passer for its first 11 games, going 4-7, before an injury opened the way for Haden Carson to make his starting debut. In that game, a 33-28 loss to Middle Tennessee, Carson was impressive, completing 29 of 52 passes for 414 yards. However, he threw four interceptions, including two in the final three minutes, one of which was a game-turning pick-six. True freshman Keyone Jenkins, a lefty, is third on the depth chart. He might not be ready yet, but he arrives with a reputation as a leader and a winner. GRADE: C

RUNNING BACKS | C-

Lexington Joseph, who led FIU in rushing last year, went down with a season-ending injury in April. Fortunately for the Panthers, ex-Pompano Ely star Shomari Lawrence had transferred to FIU in February. Behind Lawrence, however, there is virtually no Division I experience. The Panthers are hoping that Antonio Patterson, a second-year player, lives up to his potential. The Tennessee flash is much stronger this year.

RECEIVERS | C-

It’s tough when your star receiver, Tyrese Chambers, transfers to the University of Maryland, and your top tight end, Rivaldo Fairweather, bolts for Auburn. Chambers was especially effective in 2021 (1,074 yards and nine TDs on 45 catches). Fairweather had his best season last year (426 yards, 3 TDs). It remains to be seen if the Panthers have the next Chambers or Fairweather on this roster. At wide receiver, Kris Mitchell is a big-play guy as shown last year with 23 catches for 15.1-yard average and four scores. He’s the fastest receiver on the team. Dean Patterson is FIU’s top route runner and hardest worker. Jalen Bracey made 39 catches last year, but he averaged just 7.5 yards. This season, he’s in better shape and should be more explosive. There’s been lots of buzz about University of Memphis transfer Eric Rivers this fall. Ross Fournet is FIU’s top blocker at receiver. A future star could be true freshman Luby Maurice Jr., a 6-foot, 190-pounder who wins 50-50 balls, making them 80-20 in his favor, according to FIU coaches. After that, FIU is looking to see if a young and fast receiver will pop such as Mike Jackson or Artez Hooker. At tight end, Josiah Miamen and Jackson McDonald combined to catch just 14 passes last year. Miamen caught just one pass in his first three college seasons (Iowa). Last year, he made 12 grabs in his debut FIU season. McDonald, who has gained 20 pounds of muscle, has made just three catches in two years at FIU. He was a star quarterback in high school, winning Monroe County Player of the Year honors at Marathon.

Offensive line | C

The transfer portal hit FIU hard here, too, as three starters departed: tackles Lyndell Hudson (Florida) and Shamar Hobdy-Lee (Houston); and guard Julius Pierce (Middle Tennessee). This year, the line is better and deeper at guard/center as opposed to tackle. The Panthers return two excellent starters: talented young center John Bock II, who was coach Mike MacIntyre’s first recruit at FIU, and sixth-year right guard Jacob Peace. The left guard figures to be Naeer Jackson, a 6-6, 320-pound redshirt freshman with just two games of college experience. He is physical, and he has great feet, according to his position coach Joshua Eargle. The left tackle is 6-9, 290-pound Gardner-Webb transfer Travis Burke, whose “feet and hips are extraordinary,” Eargle said. The right tackle is Phillip Houston, who started five games for FIU last year after transferring from a junior college. Depth comes primarily from Wyatt Lawson, who started five games last year.

Defensive line | B

Graduated nose guard Davon Strickland was a standout but lacked ideal size for the spot at 6-1 and 265 pounds. Newcomer Jack Daly, a transfer from Bryant, is 6-3 and 315 pounds, and the hope is that he can plug more running lanes. He is a fifth-year collegian who started 31 games at Bryant. Team leader and highly improved Jeramy Passmore and Jordan Guerad, who was second on the team last season with three sacks, are the top two defensive ends in a 3-4 alignment. The trio of Daly, Passmore and Guerad should be improved against the run, but can they get to the passer consistently? Depth comes from Will Prendergast, Steven Shannon, Keegan Davis, Travonte O’Neal and Jamarrion Solomon. Shannon has earned raves after gaining 30 pounds to 270.

Linebackers | C

FIU’s leading tackler from last year, inside linebacker Gaethan Bernadel, has transferred to Stanford. In addition, outside linebacker Shaun Peterson Jr., who led FIU in sacks last year, transferred to UCF. The Panthers, though, return sixth-year senior inside linebacker Donovan Manuel, who led the team in tackles for losses (8½). He ranked second in total tackles (97). The other inside linebacker spot is a battle between veteran Reggie Peterson, Hurricanes transfer Avery Huff and Elijah Anderson-Taylor. Huff, a former elite recruit with great speed, couldn’t stay on the field at Miami, making just eight tackles, including one unassisted, in three years. At outside linebacker, FIU returns one starter: Alex Nobles, who was tied for fourth with 6.5 tackles for losses. The other starting outside linebacker is Georgia Tech transfer Khaya Wright. Young linebackers on the rise include Chance Coleman and Percy Courtney.

Defensive backs | B

FIU was hit hard at safety as standout Demetrius Hill transferred to Illinois and fellow starter Dorian Hall exhausted his eligibility. In addition, versatile defensive back Andrew Volmar transferred to Louisiana Tech. Still, the Panthers are in solid shape at cornerback, where starters Hezekiah Masses and Adrian Cole return. Jamal Potts, fifth on the team in tackles, returns as the starting nickelback. The Panthers have four interchangeable safeties: D’Verick Daniel, who made 33 tackles last year; C.J. Christian, who is back from a shoulder injury; and transfers JoJo Evans (Kent State) and Ladarian Paulk (Memphis). Depth DBs include Bryant transfer J.T. Anderson as well as Larry Preston, Jamari Holliman and Brian Blades.

SPECIAL TEAMS | C-

Lexington Joseph was a dangerous return man, and his injury leaves a big hole for this unit. Look for Dean Patterson (punts) and Jalen Bracey (kickoffs) to get first shots in the return game. But FIU could also use Erick Rivers, Mike Jackson, Kejon Owens, Antonio Patterson and T.J. Snowden. Daton Montiel is one of the best punters in Conference USA. He boomed 13 of his 87 punts 50 yards or more and averaged 42.1. Kicker Chase Gabriel missed one extra point and converted just 3 of 5 from 20 to 29 yards. Overall, he made 7 of 12 field-goal attempts. Lucas Matias is challenging him.

COACHING | A-

Mike MacIntyre inherited a 1-11 team that had lost 18 straight games to FBS teams. Given that, FIU’s 4-8 record last year was a step in the right direction. From last season, MacIntyre retained well-regarded offensive coordinator David Yost. He also brought back defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt. Deputy head coach Joshua Eargle, who ran special teams last year, now directs the offensive line. The new special teams coach is Zac Roper. The Panthers also brought in new cornerback coach DeMarcus Van Dyke, who has NFL playing experience. Anthony Gaiter, who played at FIU, is the new coach for the outside linebackers.