With National Signing Day fast approaching, here’s a look at FIU’s recruiting class

With the early part of National Signing Day just over three months away — starting Dec. 16 — FIU’s Class of 2021 football recruits are ranked fifth in Conference USA.

The league’s top-ranked class belongs to FIU’s top rival, Florida Atlantic University, which has an impressive 27 recruits committed. The University of Texas-San Antonio, which has 18 commitments, is ranked second in the league.

At FIU, coach Butch Davis has nine commitments, and several of those players are regarded as steals.

“FIU is on the rise,” recruiting expert Larry Blustein said.

Interestingly, both FAU and UTSA have new coaches.

Lane Kiffin led FAU to two C-USA titles in three years before being hired as Mississippi’s coach in December. FAU then hired Willie Taggart, who had been fired by Florida State.

The UTSA program, which started in 2011 under ex-Miami Hurricanes coach Larry Coker, is now being run by former Arkansas associate coach Jeff Traylor. Of UTSA’s 18 recruits, 14 are from talent-rich Texas.

Meanwhile, of FIU’s nine recruits, four of them are from Dade and Broward counties: offensive lineman Kareem Harden (from Stranahan); linebackers Gaethan Bernadel (Hallandale); linebacker Amahri McCray (Northwestern); and cornerback Demetrius Hill (Miami Springs).

Here’s what the state’s premier recruiting experts — Blustein and Charles Fishbein — told the Miami Herald about these recruits.

▪ On Harden, Fishbein said: “I like him. He’s got some size [6-5, 290]. I thought he was a potential Power Five [conference] player. He could play guard or tackle. He has length and could develop into an all-conference player.” Blustein added: He’s a beast. He could probably play defensive line, too. He’s physical, quick, intelligent. After one year to learn, he could be a three-year starter.”

▪ On McCray, Blustein said: “This kid was a legend in youth football, and he was a starter at North Miami since his freshman year. He played for Northwestern last season, and he’s a playmaker — great instincts.” Added Fishbein: “He’s not really big [6-0, 210], but he could be used on all three downs at FIU because he can also play the pass. He’s an athletic linebacker who can run.”

▪ On Hill, Blustein said: “He has the chance to play right away at FIU, and he can also return kicks. He’s a steal because not a lot of scouts got out to watch Miami Springs.” Added Fishbein: “I thought he would go Power Five because he is a long cornerback [6-2, 190], and every college wants that type of player. My only questions is: Can he run fast enough to stay at corner? If not, he could move inside and be a really good safety.”

▪ On Bernadel, Fishbein said: “He’s a poor man’s version of [former NFL star] Jonathan Vilma. [Bernadel] is not to that level, but he will strike you. I don’t think he will drop into coverage much, but he will stick his head in there and knock you backward.” Added Fishbein: “Wisconsin and Minnesota were on [Bernadel]. He’s a fourth-year starter and a team captain. He’s probably gained too much weight [listed at 6-1, 210] for linebacker, but if he gets back in shape, he could be like [former FIU star] Anthony Wint. [Bernadel] has great vision. He’s always around the ball.”

Beside those four South Florida recruits, FIU also has commitments from: North Fort Myers tight end Daniel Pilgrim; Georgia offensive guard Jalil Muhammad; Washington D.C. defensive tackle Kenjuan Manuel; Gateway cornerback Jakovi Bryant; and Bradford offensive guard Levontre Daniels.

THIS AND THAT

▪ Two of FIU’s home football games will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network: on Oct. 30 against Marshall and on Nov. 13 versus Florida Atlantic.

▪ FIU’s rival, Florida Atlantic, has been weakened now that All-Conference USA quarterback Chris Robison has been dismissed from the team.