Magazine doesn’t rate FIU’s players highly, but says Davis is the second-best coach in C-USA
The FIU Panthers football team, coming off a 6-7 season, does not appear to have much high-end talent for 2020, according to a report by Athlon magazine.
However, Athlon ranks FIU’s Butch Davis as the second-best coach in Conference USA, trailing University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Bill Clark, who has won a total of 20 games the past two years.
The Panthers placed just one player on Athlon’s preseason all-conference first team — offensive tackle D’Ante Demery.
In contrast, UAB leads the league with five players on first team, followed by four each for Marshall and Western Kentucky. In all, eight C-USA teams have more first-team players than FIU.
Defending league champion Florida Atlantic placed just one player on first team — quarterback Chris Robison.
FIU, which has played in a school-record three consecutive bowl games, had 10 total players mentioned by Athlon, including two on second team, four on third team and three on fourth team.
The Panthers were tied for third in the league with those 10 selections on the four All-C-USA teams.
Center Shane McGough and cornerback Rishard Dames were the FIU players on the second team.
Tight end Sterling Palmer, linebacker Jamal Gates, safety Dorian Hall and punter Tommy Heatherly were the FIU players on the third team.
Running back D’Vonte Price, wide receiver J.J. Holloman and defensive lineman Alexy Jean-Baptiste were the FIU players on the fourth team.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Former FIU catcher/first baseman Jose Garcia, who was signed earlier this month by the Boston Red Sox as an undrafted free agent, said he thought the time to turn pro was now.
“It’s always been my goal and mission to play professional baseball, and I’m ready,” said Garcia, a 22-year-old junior from Miami. “Not a lot of people get this opportunity.”
The Red Sox, who got just four players out of 2020’s shortened MLB Draft, signed 13 unselected players — the most in the majors. Three of those 13 players were signed by Boston’s South Florida scout, Willie Romay.
That latter list includes pitchers Brian Van Belle (Miami Hurricanes) and Murfy Andrew (St. Thomas University).
Drafted by Boston in the 38th round when he was still a Doral Academy senior, Garcia hit .278 with 25 homers and 90 RBI in three FIU seasons. He hammered 13 homers in 2018, earning honors as Conference USA’s Freshman of the Year.
Garcia said he signed with Boston for $20,000, the maximum allowed this year for undrafted free agents. He also said Boston would pay for his school tuition – he needs three more semesters to complete his bachelor’s degree in sports management.
“The fact that Boston drafted me out of high school played a role in signing now,” said Garcia, whose future plans include owning multiple businesses having to do with food and also helping kids.
“It shows the respect and interest the Red Sox have always had in me.”
▪ Devontay Taylor, who transferred from FIU to Florida State following last season, is considered the favorite to win the starting right tackle job for the Seminoles this fall. Former Miami High guard Dontae Lucas, by the way, is FSU’s starting left guard.