With Kris Mitchell gone, FIU football set to bring in standout wide receivers

Stranahan’s Nicholas Smith and Miramar’s Eric Nelson Jr. are FIU’s future … but perhaps “tomorrow” will arrive sooner than once expected.

That’s because the Panthers suffered a major blow last week when wide receiver Kris Mitchell – who set the program’s single-season record with 1,118 yards in receptions – announced he is transferring to Notre Dame.

“We wanted Kris to stay, but we understand this, and we’re happy for him,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said.

“You can’t take (Mitchell leaving) personally. We’re grateful to the players for the time they are with us, and, when they leave, we focus on getting other great young men to move the program forward.”

This marks the second straight year FIU has lost a 1,000-yard receiver to the transfer portal as Tyrese Chambers bolted for Maryland after the 2022 season. In addition, star FIU tight end Rivaldo Fairweather left for Auburn following the 2022 season.

FIU is expected to sign four wide receivers in the 2023-2024 cycle, and Smith is a good place to start. He and Nelson are expected to sign in the early period on Dec. 20.

Stranahan coach Travis Harden said the 6-1, 170-pound Smith reminds him of NFL star DeVonta Smith (no relation) due to speed and playing style.

But the younger Smith can boast of more than just physical gifts.

“Nicholas, with his pre-snap read, understands coverages -- when to sit in a zone and when to keep going,” Harden said. “He knows how to get open with his routes, and he is a hard-nosed player who will go up and high-point a football.”

Smith, a three-year starter at Stranahan, also had offers from Toledo, Arkansas State and Western Michigan. As a senior, he caught 20 passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns. His most impressive stat was his 21.2-yard average per catch.

Nelson had even bigger numbers this past season as he caught 65 passes for 12 TDs and a 17.3 average.

“He’s a playmaker,” Miramar coach A.J. Scott said. “On third-and-10, he’ll get the first down. In the red zone, throw him a fade, and he’ll get the touchdown.

“Eric loves football. He wants the ball. He has no fear. He loves to compete, even in practice. He doesn’t want to compete against a second- or third-team defensive back. He wants to compete against the best.”

In style, Nelson – according to Scott -- is much like Michael Irvin, who started his Hall of Fame career out of Broward County and then the University of Miami.

“Eric is very animated,” Scott said. “When he beats you, he will let you know. Off the field, he’s a comedian.”

Scott, who has been at Miramar High since 2008, said Nelson is on par – at this stage of his career – with some of the great football players in school history, including NFL quarterback Geno Smith.

In fact, the only reason Nelson is not a Power Five signee, Scott said, is his 2.3 grade-point average that was a bit dubious earlier in his career.

“He didn’t always realize how import his grades were,” Scott said. “He lives in the moment.

“But FIU stuck with him.”

It will be interesting to see if either Smith or Nelson – or both – can contribute to FIU immediately in 2024.

Mitchell, for example, redshirted his first season at FIU. In fact, Mitchell caught just 10 passes in his first three years.

Yet, this past season, Mitchell caught 64 passes for a program record 1,118 yards. He also had seven TD receptions.

He is one of five FIU players from the Panthers’ 2023 roster who have entered the transfer portal, including two starters: cornerback Adrian Cole and defensive lineman Jordan Guerad. Defensive lineman Travonte O’Neal and safety D’mor Jean-Baptiste are the other two Panthers in the transfer portal.

Other than Mitchell, no other FIU transfer-portal player has settled on a new school.