These three players have been vital to FIU’s improvement so far this season

Underutilized.

Overlooked.

Unsatisfied.

The FIU football team (3-2 overall, 0-2 Conference USA) is off this Saturday as the Panthers prepare for four straight Wednesday night games, starting Oct. 4.

Despite a 38-6 loss to Liberty this past weekend, the Panthers are improved. They are one win away from matching last year’s victory total. And they are three wins away from becoming bowl eligible.

With that overall improvement comes individual growth, which is where we get to Avery Huff (previously underutilized), Brian Blades II (overlooked) and Jalen Bracey (unsatisfied).

Here are their stories:

HUFF

A slim 6-3, 205-pounder, Huff spent the past four years as a Miami Hurricanes backup linebacker.

He started this season in that same role, but, lately, he’s being used as a defensive end, where his 4.4 speed can pressure passers.

Huff, who spent his senior high school season as a four-star recruit at St. Thomas Aquinas, said he feels now like he did as a junior at Hollywood McArthur. He racked up nine sacks that year.

At Miami, however, he rarely got on the field other than special teams, and, when he did, he said he was mostly used as a linebacker dropping into coverage.

“I was just given a fair opportunity,” Huff said when asked why he has gotten more playing time at FIU as opposed to Miami. “I came in, kept my head down and worked – just grind and grind. I became whatever the team needed.”

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said Huff is his fastest pass-rusher.

“Speed to power,” Huff said when asked what he brings in passing situations. “I’ve been working with the defensive line, coming off the edge.

“My speed is unmatched. It’s hard to stay with me coming off the edge. Once I master the ‘speed to power’ move, the (sack) numbers will rack up.”

Huff, who has one sack so far, calls himself a student of the game. He watches NFL defensive ends such as Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett.

“I’m not there yet,” Huff said. “Our team is not there yet. We’re still building.

“There’s so much we have yet to show the fans. Stay tuned. We’re coming.”

BLADES

Despite the fact that his father and namesake was a former Miami Hurricanes national champion and a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the NFL, the son has been overlooked until now.

Coming out of high school at Plantation American Heritage, Blades II had no scholarship offers. A bit undersized as a 5-10, 160-pound cornerback, Blades jumped at the chance to walk on at FIU.

Six months later, he had his FIU scholarship, and now he is among the Conference USA leaders with five pass-breakups.

“My goal is to turn those PBUs (pass-breakups) into interceptions,” said Blades, whose famous football family includes former NFL players Bennie Blades, H.B. Blades and Al Blades.

Brian Blades II said he has matured of late, learning to watch film and anticipate receivers’ moves.

“(No offers out of high school) put me in a place where I said, ‘Nobody is looking at me,’” Blades said. “But I believe in my ability.”

BRACEY

After catching eight touchdown passes in 2021 at a Mississippi junior college, Bracey said he was “discouraged” last season at FIU when he averaged just 7.5 yards per reception and reached the end zone twice.

This season, no longer just happy to be playing Division I football, Bracey’s average per catch is up to 14.0, and he said his confidence is where it was when he starred for Mississippi Gulf Coast College.

“It’s a lot of work I’ve been doing away from the cameras,” said Bracey, who has one TD grab so far this year. “I’ve been working on tracking the ball when it’s in the air. I’ve been working on the way I come out of my breaks. I’ve worked on my balance, too.”

Bracey, a 5-10, 200-pounder, is highly motivated as this is his fifth and final year of college eligibility.

“I feel like I’m back to my old self,” he said. “I’m embracing the moment. But I’m not scared of the moment.”