Vu The Bao Nguyen | Contributing writer
FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins has been named Conference USA’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, following a breakout sophomore season that showcased his growth as one of the top young quarterbacks in the nation.
In 2023, freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins made an immediate impact after being named the starter for the FIU Panthers. In a standout performance against the University of Maine’s Black Bears football team, Jenkins threw two touchdowns and set a school record for most passing yards by a first-year player, racking up 292 yards through the air. He continued his strong play the following week in a win over the University of Connecticut Huskies, tossing two more touchdowns and rushing for another.
However, Jenkins’ season was disrupted after a hard hit following an interception. In an attempt to make a diving tackle, he missed and landed on his left (throwing) shoulder, forcing him to exit the game with a significant injury.
Despite entering the NCAA transfer portal, Jenkins made headlines again on December 17, 2024, when he announced his decision to withdraw and return to FIU, signaling unfinished business with FIU Panthers.
In his 2024 campaign, for his passing statistics, Jenkins showcased significant progress across nearly every passing metric. His completion percentage, his total passing yards rose from, and most notably he doubled his passing touchdowns, jumping from 11 to 22, all while reducing his interceptions. He also improved his average yards per attempt and only took 15 sacks compared to 37 the previous season. These gains contributed to a substantial increase in his passer rating – leading all CUSA quarterbacks and ranking 19th in the FBS.
The Miami native also ranked among the nation’s best in explosiveness, placing top 20 nationally in both yards per completion (13.60) and yards per attempt (8.41). He threw ten touchdowns of 30+ yards, including four that went over 50 yards, showcasing his deep-ball ability.
While Jenkins’ rushing touchdowns dropped from six to two, his efficiency improved. He raised his yards per carry from 0.4 to 1.7 and increased his rushing total from 50 yards to 130.
Jenkins’ rise has placed him at the forefront of FIU’s hopes for the upcoming season, and his preseason honor reflects the respect he has earned across the league. As he enters his junior year, all eyes will be on Jenkins to lead the FIU Panthers football deeper into contention.
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