Jaymz Cosme | Staff Writer
The FIU football team kicked off their offseason by inking 23 new players on National Signing Day on Wednesday Dec. 20, 2023.
Among their 23 signings, 10 come from the NCAA transfer portal and 13 are incoming freshmen. Their freshman class is headlined by quarterback Clayton Dees, who is ranked a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Offensive additions:
Measuring in at 6-2 and 180-pounds, Dees spent two seasons on the varsity team at Palmetto High School in Bradenton, Florida. In his time there, he amassed 3,528 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and only threw seven interceptions.
“We really like his arm talent, his athleticism, and his vision,” said head coach Mike MacIntyre at the National Signing Day press conference.
Before committing to FIU, Dees had received offers from five other schools, with notable interest from Appalachian State and Alabama-Birmingham.
Addressing a positional need, the Panthers also added two offensive lineman in order to protect their quarterbacks.
Both ranked three-star recruits by 247Sports, offensive linemen Jon Rodriguez and Knajee Saffold are expected to provide power in the trenches.
With a 6-4, 280-pound stature, Rodriguez played at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He received six offers, including a Power Five offer from Indiana, who is coincidentally the Panthers’ first opponent in the 2024 season.
Alongside him, Saffold started all 12 games in his senior season at Treasure Coast High School in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Due to his hulking 6-4, 321-pound figure and consistent quarterback protection, he received 11 offers.
Beyond their freshman additions, FIU added multiple linemen through the NCAA transfer portal. Their three new additions on the offensive line include graduate student Ben Shellenback, sophomore Ja’Kavion Nonar and sophomore Jaleel Davis.
Looking to make up for the departure of junior wide receiver Kris Mitchell, they also added four new wide receivers to the roster.
Bringing experience at the position, graduate student wide receivers Desna Washington and Nazeviah Burris came through the transfer portal.
Also adding young talent, the Panthers signed wide receivers Eric Nelson and Nicholas Smith Jr., who are both ranked three-star prospects. Rounding out their offensive acquisitions, they brought in running back Devonte Lyons.
When coach MacIntyre was asked about the addition of Nelson, he said: “[he’s a] long, athletic, receiver and were excited to have him.”
Defensive pickups:
Filling out their defense, FIU added seven high school recruits and five transfers on that side of the ball.
Defensive lineman Germaine Carter was described as “quick as lightning and powerful” by coach MacIntyre. He is ranked a three-star recruit by 247Sports and played at Norland High School in Miami, Florida.
Outside of Carter, they also added three-star defensive lineman Robert Williams out of Columbus High School in Miami, Florida and junior defensive lineman Cole Gustafson from American River College.
The only non-collegiate linebacker the Panthers signed was three-star recruit Josiah Taylor from Sebring High School in Sebring, Florida. He has a decorated high school football background, as he earned a spot on the varsity team in his freshman year.
Over his four-year tenure, he accumulated 414 total tackles, with 290 of them being solo tackles, and also notched 3.5 sacks. Standing at 6-0, 210-pounds, Taylor attracted attention from 12 different schools, all belonging to the group of five conferences.
Notably, the sole Conference USA team besides FIU who offered him was Liberty, the reigning champions of the 2023 conference.
His breakout season came in his senior year, where he recorded 86 solo tackles, 120 total tackles and achieved his third consecutive season with 100 or more total tackles.
Despite only bringing in one freshman linebacker, they still acquired three linebackers through the transfer portal. Junior linebackers Eddie Walls, Travion Barnes and Dwight Nunoo look to bring their skills to the position.
Finishing off their signings, the Panthers added five defensive backs, with three being ranked as a two-star recruit or higher.Defensive backs Raheim Sexil and Jaden Williams are both ranked three-star recruits by 247Sports.
After receiving some playing time as a wide receiver, Sexil showcased his skills as a defensive back, where he amassed 55 total tackles and four interceptions.
Williams, boasting a 6-2, 183-pound frame, played at Plantation High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He emerged as a major contributor in his senior season, and contributed 17 total tackles with three interceptions.
Junior defensive back Ashton Levells brings experience from Butler Community College, where he was ranked a two-star JUCO recruit by 247Sports. Measuring in at 6-0, 165-pounds, he received eight offers as a prospect.
Potentially finding an underrated prospect, defensive back Shamir Sterlin spent three years on the varsity team at Treasure Coast High School. Despite amassing 155 total tackles and five interceptions, he was not ranked during his recruitment.
Inking 23 new student-athletes on National Signing Day, the FIU football team looks to incorporate all of their new pieces in their 2024 campaign.
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