FIU Recruiting Prowl: WR/TE/Ks & National Signing Day

We've come to the final FIU recruiting preview of 2010 with a look at the Panthers receivers, tight ends and kickers.

Before we get to that, you can check out the Willis Wright interview right below this post.

Also, check back here on Wednesday morning for FIU signings on National Signing Day.

Early Wednesday morning, I will be visiting a few high schools where future Panthers will sign their letters of intent. As those letters roll in, will have the newest Panthers on here for you.

Just like T.Y. Hilton 3 years ago, Wright (left) will have his ceremony in the Miami Springs library on Wednesday morning and like T.Y. he will have an FIU and a West Virginia hat in front of him. When he picks one, you will know here.

The FIU Athletic Department also will have their own ticker of signings at fiusports.com. So check that out too.

MC will take to the podium at 12 noon in the President's suite at FIU Stadium to announce and comment on the entire class of new Panthers. You can also attend the NSD event at the Stadium Club at FIU Stadium on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. where MC will talk about his newest players and new OC Scott Satterfield and new DC Geoff "GYCH" Collins will be introduced.

Let's finish the FIU Recruiting Prowl with a look at the Panthers receivers. By now you know there is 1 DAY UNTIL NATIONAL SIGNING DAY.

RECEIVERS

It all starts with Goodbye, but with another season under the belts of several other FIU receivers, opponents may think twice of double and triple teaming No. 4.

Junior Mertile (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) returns from injury this season and he only runs a 4.4 and has one of the better sets of hands in the Sun Belt. Wayne Times showed plenty of potential last season and is only going to get better.

Greg Ellingson and Ty Frierson will be seniors and provide the experience.

We'll get to the potential recruits that might sign tommorrow in a second, but a couple of freshmen from last season could make the position battles here pretty intriguing.

Rockey Vann is as fast as any Panther -- check that blocked punt last season. Jairus Williams and all 6-5 of his frame can be a weapon in the red zone.

As far as the caballos (horses) expected to possibly sign on Wed. and we call them horses, because of their size and speed are: newest FIU commit Javon Bell (6-1, 4.4 -- 40), Glenn Coleman (6-2) and Mitch Wozniak (6-4).

But what would be the creme de la creme of this class would be signing Willis Wright, 6-2 with size, speed and hands -- just my 3 cents.

BACK IN 2010: Greg Ellingson, Ty Frierson, T.Y. Hilton, Ariel Martinez, Junior Mertile, Marquis Rolle, Wayne Times, Rockey Vann, Jairus Williams, Jacob Younger.

GONE IN 2010: Elliott Dix.

$.03 for 2010: Quarterback Wesley Carroll will be like a kid in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with these receivers and the ones expected in. Let's see does WC throw to the fast ones, the tall ones, the ones with good hands. Oh hell, he couldn't go wrong to whoever he throws to in this bunch. Of course, and this is the BIG IF.....if WC has time to throw from his O-line's protection.

TIGHT ENDS

You say there are more weapons on the FIU offense? You are correct.

What we saw from tight end Dudley LaPorte (left) last season was a tantalizing glimpse of 2010. Remember, his only TD before breaking his foot. If you were watching it on ULM's web TV or you were at Malone Stadium in Monroe, La. then you saw DLP making a one-handed catch across his body in the corner of the end zone for 6. The only bad thing about the play was he broke his foot.

Jonathan Faucher had his moments in 2009, but the biggest surprise among the tight ends was quarterback-turned-TE Colt Anderson.

CA displayed lots of athleticism at his new position, even making a couple of one-handed catches. And at 6-4, he provides a good size target. Joey Harris returns to his original position after a stint on the D-line.

As of this post, FIU has no commits for tight end.

BACK IN 2010: Colt Anderson, Jonathan Faucher, Joey Harris, Dudley LaPorte.

GONE IN 2010: Eric Kirchenberg.

$.03 for 2010: Although the receivers might be the focus for opponents to stop in the spread offense, you can't overlook the tight end spot here, because of the players on the unit. DLP could have a monster season.

KICKERS/PUNTERS

One of the players that will be most missed for the Panthers D and special teams in 2010 will be punter Carlos Munera. As consistent as they come, CM was usually on point putting the FIU D in good field position.

Former Duquesne punter Josh Brisk takes over the punting duties for FIU. Brisk was an All-Broward punter while at American Heritage.

Heading into spring practice, Jack Griffin (right, thanks AJH photo) will get first crack at the placekicking job with the graduation of Dustin Rivest. There is the distinct possibility that FIU brings in another kicker to compete with Griffin.

BACK IN 2010: Jack Griffin.

GONE IN 2010: Carlos Munera, Dustin Rivest.

$.03 for 2010

: We've talked about how crucial the plays of the O & D Lines will be for FIU in 2010, but the kicker and the punter will also figure into the Panthers success. The hidden yardage Munera provided will be tough to replace. And with a lot of games in the Sun Belt being tightly contested, field goals might figure into several of the outcomes.

PANTHER PAWSE

In our last poll question regarding who would win the No. 1 running back job for FIU, you good people believe it's Jeremiah Harden and by a mile. As of this post, 72.5% of you voted for JH. Poll is still open.

In that question, we had our first reader from Ghana join the GPP. The reader also thinks like you and voted for Harden.

Our latest GPP Worldwide update gives us:

GPP WORLDWIDE READERSHIP SCORECARD:

The GPP is now read in: 45 STATES: ALA, ARI, ARK, CA, COL, CT, DEL, FLA, GA, HI, IDAHO, IL, IND, IOWA, KAN, KY, LA, MASS, MD, MICH, MIN, MISS, MISSOURI, MON, NEB, NEV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, ORE, PA, RI, SC, TEN, TEX, UTAH, VA, VER, WASH, WEST VA., WISC.

39 COUNTRIES: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Venezuela, Vietnam.

1 DISTRICT: Washington, D.C. and 1 TERRITORY: Puerto Rico.

 

Comments

[FIURage]

Im hoping FIU gets a surprise or two today !

[CJ]

that will be great.. its been 2 hours since recruits could send LOI.. whos sent it in already?

[TNGoldenPanther]

FIU Recruiting Central is reporting Willis Wright has signed to play for FIU! YES!

[FIURage]

WILLIS WRIGHT TO FIU!

[CJ]

!!!!! looking good.. cant wait for a few more suprises throughout the day!

[FIURage]

I take that back FIU recruiting central no longer list WW as signed.

[FIU Fanatic]

Pete....can you confirm what's going on with Willis Wright?...at one point Larry Blustein, and FIU website put up his name as signed....Please, clear this up for us....

[TNGoldenPanther]

Pete, where the hell are you?

[kjharris02]

First seven signees:

http://www.fiusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=49159&SPID=4780&DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=204878545

[kjharris02]

http://www.fiusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=49159&SPID=4780&DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=204878545

11 signees now!

[Gooch7]

The THREE CB that we picked up in the first 4 hours of NSD are amazing. Never thought we would get all 3 boys.
McGee (N.W.)
Miller (LaSalle)
Leonard (Kil)

The thing that is SCARING the heck out of me is that I have not seen (other then 1) OL and DL..
We need to pick up several GOOD OL and DL.. Man I hope the big boys are out to lunch before they sign the letter cause i would have imagined at least 4 guys on each side of the line to sign!

PETE more info please!

GO FIU

[roary]

we need speed outside and beef up front

[roary]

larry blu reporting wright is a golden panther

[TNGoldenPanther]

He wrote that it was NOT official re: Willis Wright.

[Jorge Suarez]

PETE WHERE ARE YOUUU LOL. I UNDERSTAND IS WW WANTS TO KEEP IT ON THE DL UNTIL IT'S TIME... BUT HE'S KILLING THE FIU FAITHFUL LOL

[Pete Pelegrin]

waiting on willis to pick a hat here in springs library stay tuned

[Pete Pelegrin]

same thing and same place as T.Y. 3 years ago:

FIU or West Virginia in the Miami Springs library.

[CJ]

pete what time is WW suppose to decide?

[kjharris02]

Looks like we are going to have a great signing class this year and the players that we already got, should be a GREAT 2010 Season!!!! Can't wait for the Spring Football game....Go Golden Panthers!

[Pete Pelegrin]

WW just sat down to start his ceremony

[Jorge Suarez]

thanks Pete, please keep us updated. This could be huge. UM fans were left wondering why they didn't get WW in Larry & Manny's live blog.

[CJ]

Tension buidling.. Pete any prediction before he announces?

[josh]

doesnt have the grades to get in like McCartney from Miramar

[Pete Pelegrin]

i think he goes to FIU, but wait until he announces it.

[CrazyCane]

It is all about grades people.

[Roman]

I hear the kid is wearing a blue suit with a gold tie....

[jcalex22]

doesn't help both schools have those colors, come to FIU Willis!

[Pete Pelegrin]

WILLIS PICKS FIU

[FIURage]

What time is he scheduled to pick a hat?, i have a feeling the paperwork got to FIU, they just missed to note : Willis would like to announce the decision with a hat trick!

[Jorge Suarez]

Both schools rock blue and gold roman

[CarolinaGoldenPanther]

GREAT! What a fantastic pair of WR, him and TY. WC is gonna have WEAPONS!!!

[CJ]

LOL thats true JC

[FIU Fanatic]

YES!!!!!

[Pete Pelegrin]

just put up a new post....for the "MANCHILD" as his coach and family were calling him.

[CJ]

!!!! AWeSome

[roary]

please put a candle to the virgen de la caridad del cobre people.. 2010 is shaping up nice

[Jorge Suarez]

WELCOME TO FIU WILLISSS

[TNGoldenPanther]

NICE!!

[roary]

WW needs to get use to eating "fritanga"

[FIUJM]

Nice class! This is about building for many years. GO FIU!!!

[kjharris02]

Welcome to FIU WW !!! This is turning out to be a great day!! GO FIU!

[Gooch7]

PETE:
Any word on the Big Guys (OL & DL) or any other Big Time suprise?

I hope we can pull of at least two more unexpected pickups..

I still cant get over the 3 CB's that we just picked up about 2 hours ago..

[kjharris02]

18 signees now! Gooch7, Jordan White DT is 330 lbs...and 6/4 thats a big guy!

[Mike]

The Star System is not perfect but a 6-2 279 lb DT 3-star is more likely to start and become a star then a 1-2 star 250 player who has to red shirt at year. If he doesn't red shirt then we lose a year. No 250 lb player is going to hold the point against the run.
This is an old issue. What are the names of the Big DT's who haven't signed??

LOOKING FOR A HOME WHERE YOU CAN START IMMEDIATELY - FAX THAT LETTER IN BEFORE SOMEONE STEALS YOUR SCHOLARSHIP!!