Five players primed to breakout for Panthers’ football

FIU Panthers head coach Butch Davis talks to his players as they take a knee and gather around him after the 2018 Spring Game at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Friday, April 6, 2018.

Wednesday, July 11

Brett Shweky/Sports Director

 

Following their 8-5 season and reaching a bowl game for the first time since 2011, the Panthers are looking to carry over their success into the 2018 campaign.

However, with the team having lost multiple starters and leaders due to graduation, they will be looking for players to step up and resume those roles. Here are five Panthers who are primed to become impact players for the team this season.  

  1.     Junior Cornerback Isaiah Brown

The Panthers’ secondary will experience an entire overhaul this offseason as the team lost all four of their starters to graduation. Regardless of his collarbone injury last season, Brown is primed to become a force for FIU’s defense.

Before his injury in the 2017 campaign, the junior cornerback played in five games and managed to record five pass breakups and six tackles. During his freshman season, the Tampa, FL native led the squad with seven pass breakups and three interceptions.

So far this offseason, Brown has caught the eye of head coach Butch Davis along with the other members of the coaching staff.

“He missed four to six games last season. He had the fastest 40 time on our team the other day. He ran a 4.39,” said Davis following a Spring practice. “That tells you a little bit of what we lost last year. You lose your fastest cover corner. He’s a great offseason. He’s pushed himself and that’s going to be a good player to lean on in the secondary.”

  1. Redshirt Junior Wide Receiver C.J. Worton

FIU’s successful 2017 campaign was linked to the stellar season senior wide receiver Thomas Owens had. Owens finished as the team’s leading receiver with 59 receptions for 887 yards and six touchdowns, however, only played in nine games due to injury. With him no longer on the roster, the Panthers’ receiving corps will need the emergence of a new number one threat.

Worton who missed last season due to the NCAA transfer rules could be the playmaker the Panthers need to replace Owens. Before coming to FIU, the redshirt junior was a member of the Florida Gators and was a three-star prospect for their 2014 recruiting class. For the class of 2014, he was the No. 57-ranked wide receiver, according to 247sports.com.

“He worked unbelievably hard on the scout team,” said Davis regarding him sitting out last year. “Every week he was the other team’s best receiver. He gave great effort, and it tells you an awful lot about him as an individual.”

During his three seasons with the Gators, he appeared in 13 games and recorded ten receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns. His biggest play came during the 2015 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide where he managed to haul in a 46-yard touchdown pass between a pair of defenders.

  1. Redshirt Junior Linebacker Sage Lewis

Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams were a dynamic duo for the linebacking corps over last two seasons, and now with their departure, a new leader must emerge.

“Right now Sage Lewis is the guy that we’re looking at,” said Davis following a Spring practice. “He’s a returning starter, and we’re moving him from the WILL linebacker position to inside because he’s got the most game ready experience.”

Last season, Lewis started in ten games for FIU and was fifth on the team in tackles with 55. During the Spring game, the 6-foot-1 and 240 lb linebacker finished with four tackles and provided the defensive leadership the team needed.

  1. Sophomore Running Back D’Vonte Price

For the second season in a row, the running back group might be the deepest position on the team.

“Running back probably is still the strength of this football team,” said Davis. “We have four guys, that literally the talent is excellent. They got the vision. They got the size. They have speed, their faster than they were a year ago. Anthony Jones coming back off his injury from last year, to go along with D’Vonte Price, Shawndarrius Phillips and Napoleon Maxwell. That’s just a great group.”

The Punta Gorda, FL native, saw limited action last season. However, made the most of his 15 attempts by recording 131 yards and posting an average of 8.7 yards-per-carry. Price also showed his receiving ability with five receptions for 45 yards.

Regardless of the number of players in the backfield, the 6-foot-2 multi-threat playmaker possesses a diverse skill set which can be utilized in a multitude of ways. Due to his height and catching ability, Price can thrive as a pass-catching back for FIU.

  1. Sophomore Defensive Lineman Kevin Oliver

With senior Fermin Silva moving to the WILL linebacker position along with depth chart reshuffling, the defensive line will be looking for players to take the next step.

Despite a relatively quiet freshman season, Oliver is in the position to become one of the standout defensive linemen for the Panthers.

Because of a crowded depth chart, Oliver appeared in limited action during his first season. As a freshman, he played in 10 games for FIU and recorded eight total tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.

“Kevin Oliver has had a great spring,” said redshirt senior defensive lineman Anthony Johnson on his performance this offseason.

During the team’s annual Spring game, however, Oliver displayed his growth by leading the team in tackles with five and also contributing with a sack and a pass break up.

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