After busy offseason, FIU coach Butch Davis ready for National Signing Day on Wednesday
With the second signing period of the 2019/2020 football recruiting cycle set to start Wednesday, FIU coach Butch Davis has been busy.
Since FIU’s 6-7 season ended with a 34-26 Camellia Bowl loss to Arkansas State on Dec. 21, the Panthers have announced the signing of 15 recruits, lost two coaches — or three, depending on how you count it — and hired two assistants as replacements.
In addition, talented kicker Jose Borregales transferred to Miami, starting right tackle Devontay Taylor bolted to Florida State, and backup tight end Ivan Thomas left for Robert Morris.
Linebacker Ni’Kendrick Carter and defensive back Deshaun Davis — both of whom signed with FIU in the 2018/2019 cycle — have also entered the transfer portal but have not yet announced their destinations.
But despite all that, Davis accentuated the positive in a phone interview with the Miami Herald.
“This may be the best recruiting class we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Davis, who was hired by FIU in November of 2016.
Here’s a closer look at all things FIU football:
▪ 1: Coaching change, part one: The charismatic Allen Mogridge, who had been FIU’s assistant head coach and offensive line guru since Davis arrived, is gone. He is now offensive line coach at the University of South Florida.
Mogridge’s FIU blockers allowed just eight sacks in 2018, setting a school record and ranking third in the nation.
Davis said he brought in Jack Bicknell Jr. to replace Mogridge. A week later, however, Bicknell bolted for Auburn. Davis then hired Joel Rodriguez, a former Hurricanes blocker.
Davis had recruited Rodriguez to Miami years ago, and now they’re working together.
“I brought in 12 guys for interviews for offensive line coach,” Davis said. “Joel was electric in his four-hour interview.”
▪ 2: Coaching change, part two: James Vollono, FIU’s special teams coach the past three years, has been replaced by DJ McCarthy, who spent last season at rival Florida Atlantic.
McCarthy won a national title in 1991 as a wide receiver for the Washington Huskies. He then won a national title as an assistant coach at LSU (2007). In addition, he has pro experience coaching in the CFL (Edmonton Eskimos) and NFL (Oakland Raiders).
“DJ is a great recruiter and a great coach,” Davis said.
▪ 3: Recruiting revs up: Davis said he is especially pleased with the five offensive linemen signed in December, including four who enrolled early and are already on campus: junior-college transfers Maljon Joor and Kameren Williams as well as freshmen Miles Frazier and Jose Mirabal. The fifth offensive lineman, Jahmari Sylvester, arrives this summer.
Besides Taylor, the Panthers have to replace guard/center Dallas Connell, who started 37 games the past three years.
The Panthers also signed two wide receivers who are already on campus: freshmen Teddy Richardson and Xavier McGriff. They are important for depth because FIU graduated Tony Gaiter (50 catches, 647 yards, 4 TDs); Austin Maloney (33 catches, 639 yards, 2 TDs); and Maurice Alexander (25 catches, 298, 1 TD).
But Davis said two players who were on the roster in 2019 but did not catch passes — JJ Holloman and Bryce Singleton — are expected to help greatly.
Holloman, a 6-2, 200-pound redshirt junior, sat out 2019 after transferring from the Georgia Bulldogs. Holloman made five starts for Georgia in 2018, catching 24 passes for 418 yards and five TDs.
Singleton was out due to injury after catching 29 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns in 2018.
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU got a commitment from linebacker A.J. Mathis, a 6-1, 210-pounder from Largo. Mathis had previously committed to the Miami Hurricanes but reopened his recruitment on Nov. 27.
▪ Former FIU linebacker Sage Lewis made 11 tackles and was named the MVP of the Tropical Bowl, an all-star game for pro prospects. Former FIU cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver had two pass-breakups in the game, which was played Jan. 12 in Daytona Beach.
▪ Former FIU quarterback James Morgan led the East to a 31-27 win over the West in the annual Shrine Game at St. Petersburg on Jan. 18. Morgan, who started ahead of quarterbacks from Mississippi State and Princeton, led a pair of first-quarter touchdown drives and finished the game 9-for-14 for 116 yards and one TD (no interceptions).
He also earned the Pat Tillman Award given to the athlete who best exemplified sportsmanship, intelligence and service.
Morgan drew praise all week, on various media outlets, for his passing accuracy, arm strength and pocket presence.