So we're less than 24 hours away from the opening of football signing period, and FIU's class appears basically set. There could be a late surprise or two come Wednesday, but for the most part, there's little drama this year. Depending on who you listen to, the Golden Panthers have roughly 24 players either already signed or committed. Sounds like that number dwindled a bit in recent days, as QB Dylan Warner apparently either has decommitted or had his scholarship pulled.
So let's break it out down by position, and look at strengths and weaknesses -- and the needs the class addresses (and doesn't).
Quarterback:
Loranzo Hammonds, North Augusta (S.C.), 6-0, 185
Running back:
Shane Coleman, Green Cove Springs Clay, 5-6, 180
Elijah Maxey, Jacksonville Raines, 6-0, 198
Cedric Walker, Miami Gulliver, 5-8, 175
Corey Tindal, Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson, 5-10, 174
Wide receiver:
Freeman Dozier, Jacksonville Raines, 6-2, 170
Dominique Rhymes, Miami Northwestern, 6-4, 205
Clinton Taylor, Miami Northwestern, 5-8, 160
Ezekiel Turner, Delray Beach Atlantic, 5-10, 165
Tight end:
Ya'Keem Griner, Starke Bradford, 6-4, 200
Offensive line:
Prince Matt, Bradenton Manatee, 6-4, 255
Richie Reay, Tampa Robinson, 6-5, 260
Defensive end:
Giovani Francois, Upper Marlboro (Md.) Wise, 6-2, 230
Cody Horstman, Vero Beach, 6-3, 231
Max Martial, Palm Beach Central, 6-3, 265
Aaron Nielsen, Orlando Freeman, 6-5, 230
Denzell Perine, Mobile (Ala.) Davidson, 6-3, 210
Derrick Thorpe, Neptune Beach Fletcher, 6-4, 250
Defensive tackle:
Corey King, West Boca, 6-1, 265
Linebacker:
Lyndon Edwards, Miami Northwestern, 6-1, 195
Jordan Hunt, Copiah-Lincoln C.C. (Miss.), 6-1, 215
Luis Rosado, Gainesville, 6-2, 210
Defensive back:
Tevin Blanchard, Itawamba C.C. (Miss.), 6-0, 170
Richard Leonard, Miami Killian, 5-8, 153
T.J. Lowder, Panama City Bay, 5-11, 165
Kenneth Proctor, Harvey (La.) West Jefferson, 6-0, 187
My take: FIU has again done what it does best every year -- stockpile speed and skill-position players. The difference: The Golden Panthers have just done it better than ever before. Nearly a third of their recruiting class can play either wide receiver or running back, with three-star guys like Maxey, Coleman, Rhymes and Walker -- if he doesn't play corner -- competing for playing time. The Panthers also have a lot of defenders who can do the same thing. Six defensive ends -- plus Edwards, who can play up or down -- is a lot, but guys like Martial might move into the interior of they can put on weight. FIU's problems, however, are also not new. With just two offensive linemen and one pure defensive tackle, the Panthers have not gotten much bigger, and they need to if they want to take the next step.
Most likely to see significant time in 2011: Hunt and Blanchard, who will likely compete for the spots vacated by Toronto Smith and Anthony Gaitor, respectively. FIU will likely find a way to get Tindal and Walker onto the field, as well. Expect Hammonds to compete with Blaine Dalton, a walk-on transfer from Missouri, for the No. 3 QB spot.
Ed. - Good catch InnerCity-Reverand. Change made.
Giovanni Francois might be our best pick-up in this class and you just did an article about him. How is he omitted here ?
Posted by: InnerCity-Reverend | February 01, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Freeman Dozier is not committed to FIU according to rivals.com. He is currently undecided.
Posted by: MiamiSouthPaw | February 01, 2011 at 02:06 PM
I fully expect Martial and Thorpe to move to DT. Both are huge guys, and can easily be up to the 275-290 range by their sophomore season.
Posted by: JulesFIU07 | February 01, 2011 at 02:17 PM
FIU 12
That was to funny.. So let me guess, you said "NO" to D-1 scholarships for tennis because you are just to busy.. Stop lying to yourself.. There is no scholarships for tic-tac-toe.. LOOSER!
Note: Sunbelt is absolutely fine for "right now". I do agree that we should push for a move up to C-USA in the next 5 years or so...
Go FIU!
Posted by: Gooch7 | February 01, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Gooch - Actually I'm just fortunate enough to come from a family that didn't care one way or another if they foot the bill for my education - and I didn't anticipate having the need to relive minor college "glories" like being the 16th fastest track "star" in school history for the rest of my life.
Note: judging by your spelling and your general attitude I'm guessing you have no idea how much time it actually takes to be successful in a competitive field like medicine.
Posted by: FIU '12 | February 01, 2011 at 07:53 PM
And I was going to say that I'm shocked that Lyndon Edwards is listed at 195, he looked and played much bigger at Northwestern.
Posted by: FIU '12 | February 01, 2011 at 07:54 PM
FIU '12:
What is your NTRP rating?
Posted by: tennis ranking | February 01, 2011 at 09:49 PM
What ever happened to the high school quarterback from Miami thatbwe heard about a while ago? Where is he gonna finally go?
Posted by: Aj | February 01, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Thorpe and Martial will be defensive tackles.
Posted by: panther viscosity | February 02, 2011 at 01:56 AM