FIU football recruiting gathering momentum ahead of Wednesday’s signing period
With football’s early signing period set to open on Wednesday, the FIU Panthers have commitments from 14 recruits – 11 freshmen, two junior-college transfers and a tight end from the University of Louisville.
The Panthers do not yet have a quarterback, running back or linebacker in this class.
Still, eight of those 14 players have committed in the past two weeks, which has caused FIU’s class to improve its 247Sports recruiting ranking from eighth in Conference USA to third. Nationally, FIU has improved from 112th to No. 95.
Corey Bell, who is in his first year as FIU’s recruiting coordinator, seems to be making an impact with South Florida high school coaches contacted by The Herald.
Several of those coaches mentioned Bell as the chief recruiter of some of their players.
“Corey is a hometown guy,” Miami Central coach Jube Joseph said. “He’s a familiar face. He’s authentic and genuine, and the kids see him often.”
Whether the players FIU signs in this recruiting cycle have successful careers with the Panthers won’t be known for at least a couple of years. But FIU has to feel particularly good about Dillard offensive tackle Daniel Michel; Monsignor Pace cornerback Victor Evans III; and Northwestern edge rusher Toddrick Brewton.
Michel, who is lean for a tackle at 6-6 and 285 pounds, still plays varsity basketball, and that’s his first love.
He has only been playing football for two years, according to Dillard coach Tyler Tate.
“Daniel has elite athleticism for his position,” Tate said. “He has no bad body fat. He needs development and repetition, but he could eventually be an NFL player.
“With his long arms and punch, he is hard to get around. The projection is as an elite pass-protector at about 6-6 and 315 pounds.”
Brewton, a 6-3, 225-pounder who had 13½ sacks and two forced fumbles this season, has played outside linebacker and defensive end for Northwestern coach Max Edwards.
“He should’ve been a Power Five recruit,” Edwards said. “Pittsburgh was on his tail hard. Corey is a good recruiter, and (Brewton) made the decision to stay home, close to his parents.”
Edwards said Brewton will easily carry a muscular 245 pounds once he gets into a college nutrition program.
“He’s going to surprise people with how good he is,” Edwards said. “FIU got lucky. They will see just how lucky when he gets on campus.”
Meanwhile, Evans – who started his career at Northwestern before landing at Pace for his final two prep years -- needs to put more weight on his 6-foot, 160-pound frame.
“I’m sure he can eventually carry 185 pounds,” Pace coach Anthony Walker said. “Because of his long arms and speed, he’s an under-the-radar gem who will blossom at FIU.
“A lot of cornerbacks don’t like to hit. But (Evans) is a willing tackler.”
Evans, who said he wants to study architecture or engineering at FIU, had five interceptions and two recovered fumbles as a senior.
“I’m all about getting the ball,” Evans said. “I want to force turnovers as much as I can.”
Asked why he chose FIU, Evans said the “nice people” he met on campus was one factor.
“It’s home,” he said. “It’s close to my family, and I like Coach Bell.”
FIU COMMITMENTS
WR: Luby Maurice (Palm Beach Central); WR: Shamar Sandgren (junior-college transfer from Mississippi); TE: Christian Pedersen (Louisville transfer); TE: Braiden Staten (Tennessee); G/C: Jaheim Buchanon (Lehigh Acres); OT: Daniel Michel (Dillard); DE/OLB: Toddrick Brewton (Northwestern); DL: Marquez Tatum (junior college in Mississippi); DL: AJ Cobb (Frostproof); DL/athlete: Mykeal Rabess (Norland); CB: Victor Evans III (Monsignor Pace); S: Mister Clarke (Carol City); S Jamari Holliman (Norland); S: Landon Hale (Yulee).