FIU football begins fall practices with the hopes of a Hawaii-like turnaround

Look to Honolulu.

If FIU Panthers football fans are looking for what’s possible, check out the University of Hawaii, which finished 0-12 in 1998 under coach Fred Vonappen. The next year, June Jones took over as coach, and the Rainbow Warriors went 9-4, beating Oregon State in the Oahu Bowl. That season stands as the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

FIU, which started fall practice on Monday, has a similar opportunity.

The Panthers have lost 18 straight games against FBS programs, finishing last season 1-11 overall. In December, Mike MacIntyre got to work, replacing Butch Davis as FIU’s coach.

MacIntyre has brought in 50 new players – 31 under scholarship and 19 walk-ons – in an attempt to jump-start a program that has been predicted to finish last in its 11-team league, Conference USA.

“FIU is the fourth-largest school in America, and we have only played football for 20 years (this season),” said MacIntyre, ever the optimist. “We have untapped potential. There’s a little fire burning, and we have to pour gasoline on it.”

FIU is not without talent.

Wide receiver Tyrese Chambers is a first-team all-league player after ranking second nationally last season in average yards per reception (23.9).

Chambers caught 45 passes for 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns. The yards and TDs are new program records, shattering what ex-NFL star T.Y. Hilton had accomplished.

Four other FIU players are on Conference USA’s all-league watch list: tight end Rivaldo Fairweather; offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson Jr.; defensive lineman Davon Strickland; and kick returner Lexington Joseph.

The quarterback position is still open, with former Duke starter Gunnar Holmberg battling the largely untested duo of Grayson James and Haden Carlson.

At running back, 2021 starter D’vonte Price is trying to make the Indianapolis Colts roster, and Joseph is the leading candidate to replace him.

Joseph showed what he could do in last year’s season finale against Southern Mississippi, carrying 16 times for a career-best 105 yards and one touchdown. Joseph is also a threat on special teams, running a kickoff for a touchdown in 2020.

Fairweather could develop into a threat at tight end. In 10 career games over the past two years, he has 26 catches for a healthy 15.8-yard average and two scores. Now he has to put all his skills together in one complete season.

Hudson, who started all 12 of FIU’s games last season at right tackle, leads the offensive line.

Strickland last season led FIU in tackles for losses (six) and sacks (three). He also finished third on the team in tackles with 53, and all of that is hard to do from defensive tackle, where double-team blocks are more common.

Donovan Manuel – along with Chambers – represented FIU at Conference USA Media Day, which says a lot about his leadership ability. Manuel is a pretty good linebacker, too, leading East Tennessee State with 124 tackles last year.

On special teams, FIU has kicker Chase Gabriel and punter Jordan Doelling.

In two years at FIU, Gabriel has made 64.7 percent of his field goals (11-for-17), including a long of 53 yards. Doelling, who is from Australia, replaces Tommy Heatherly, who is now trying to make the Dolphins’ roster.

Beyond those key players, FIU will look to some transfers – other Manuel – for immediate help. Candidates to become impact transfers include wide receivers Sharod Johnson (Syracuse) and Jacolby Hewitt (Indiana); tight end Josiah Miamen (Iowa); defensive lineman Latarie Kinsler (Syracuse); linebackers Luke Knox (Ole Miss); Khaya Wright (Georgia Tech) and Alex Nobles (North Carolina); and defensive back Adrian Cole (Syracuse).

THIS AND THAT

▪ Seven ex-FIU players are on current NFL rosters: Price; Heatherly; tight end Jonnu Smith (Patriots); defensive tackle Teair Tart (Titans); and defensive backs Ike Brown (Raiders); Josh Valentine-Turner (Seahawks); and Stantley Thomas-Oliver (Panthers).

▪ Strickland said he is graduating on Tuesday with a Bachelor’s degree in marine biology.

This story was originally published August 1, 2022 at 4:36 PM.