Belen cornerback Xavier Hines gave FIU three defensive back commits -- two for the class of 2013 -- in the last two days Thursday afternoon. Hines was a Second Team All-Dade 8A-6A selection last year. He's ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and a two-star recruit by Scout.com. ESPN has no ranking on him.
Wednesday, North Miami seniorTroy McCollum and Krop sophomore Jovon Durante, a wide receiver and cornerback, pledged themselves to FIU. What's clear about the Panthers recruiting, both in this freshman class and the one for 2013, is they're getting guys with more height and wingspan on the defensive side of the ball. McCollum's in the 6-0 to 6-1 range and Hines is 5-11 to 6-0. Among freshmen defensive backs Davison Colimon (listed as a linebacker going into camp), Jeremiah McKinnon, Deonte Wilson and Johnnie Durante, there's not a one who is under 6-0 -- officially. Defensive coaches enjoy hearing a player described as "long" the way people with cultured ears enjoy hearing Stevie Wonder. Take a look at last year's interceptions leader Justin Halley, a rangy 6-2.
Anyway, here's some video on Hines.
And, just because I mentioned him, Stevie doing a song he origianlly wrote for Jeff Beck...
PRESEASON POLL
The 59 poll voters among the nation's college-affiliated football coaches certainly respect FIU. The Panthers lost the best player in the program's relatively brief history and have a redshirt sophomore with two starts at quarterback, yet for the first time ever got points in the USA Today/Coaches preseason poll.
FIU's 3 points got them in the Others Receiving Votes listing, tied for 43rd with Missouri and Tennessee. Among the coaches doing the voting are Louisiana's Mark Hudspeth, Central Florida's George O'Leary, South Florida's Skip Holtz and the University of Miami's Al Golden, folks who butt heads against FIU either on the field or, increasingly, the recruiting trails.
Two 2012 FIU opponents were in the poll, which was topped, predictably by LSU and Alabama. Both were in the Others Receiving Votes group outside the Top 25. Louisville's 46 points were the 27th most and UCF's 5 points were tied for 41st with Rutgers, which had pursued FIU coach Mario Cristobal in January.
MORE TV TIME
Or, at least, streaming time. The home opener against Akron, 6 p.m. Sept. 8, and the 7 p.m. Sept. 29 game at Louisiana (which doesn't want to be called Louisiana-Lafayette) both will be on ESPN3.
Good stuff, DJN. Thanks for the info on this. Respect by coaches around the nation is certainly being directed at FIU. Of course, these preseason polls are not in any way a good predictor of the upcoming season, but it is nice to get some respect.
Panthers on the Rise!
Posted by: FIU Fanatic | August 02, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Great news!!
Posted by: panther fan | August 02, 2012 at 06:27 PM
I see your Stevie Wonder and raise you a celebratory James Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oQRmx6M8-U
Posted by: JulesFIU07 | August 02, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Fantastic news! Finally FIU has passed University of Coral Gables and when hundreds of thousands of FIU graduate locals start supporting the team and the 3 and 4 and 5 star recruits of the State of FIU start coming here well have a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP before they do!
Already got a CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP before UCG!
Panthers Inivitble Rising!
Posted by: gp04 | August 02, 2012 at 08:43 PM
FIU has come a long way baby! Welcome Xavier. Good to have a Wolverine on board!
Posted by: JP1990FIU | August 02, 2012 at 09:59 PM
FIU isn't going to lose a game next year, Louisville and UCF SUCK!
Posted by: The I | August 03, 2012 at 01:18 AM
gp04, slow your roll. We are getting recognized now, but we have to prove to these guys that we deserve the recognition. We won't do that until the end of the 2012-2013 season. Let's just concentrate on winning games.
The I, I hope our players believe we will beat all of our opponents, but I hope they don't think that UCF and Louisville suck. Those are two talented teams, and they will bring it.
Posted by: JulesFIU07 | August 03, 2012 at 08:26 AM