FIU hopes to keep run of elite receivers going in 2024 with new trio of recruits
For many, today’s brand of football is considered the golden age for wide receivers. In fact, the “Rise of the Receiver” has coincided with the devaluation of the running back, at least in the NFL.
Meanwhile, at FIU, any list of the program’s top players ever must include at three wide receivers who all had 1,000-yard years for the Panthers: T.Y. Hilton in 2008 and 2011 and – over the past three seasons -- Tyrese Chambers and Kris Mitchell.
For perspective, FIU has only had one 1,000-yard rusher: Kedrick Rhodes in 2011.
FIU receivers coach Jay MacIntyre said he believes the importance of wide receivers in college football started to elevate when Alabama had players such as Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. LSU countered with its own star receivers, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, and the “hands race” was on in the NCAA.
“You have to win your one-on-one matchups on the outside,” MacIntyre said, “and to be a good offense, you have to have at least one really good wide receiver.”
The Panthers have had that lately as Chambers had his 1,000-yard season in 2021 before transferring to Maryland, and Mitchell set the school record with 1,118 yards this past season before bolting to Notre Dame.
With the departure of Mitchell and Jalen Bracey – who declared for the NFL Draft – FIU signed three wide receivers last month, including New Mexico transfer Desna “DJ” Washington, who is expected to become an immediate starter.
The Panthers also added a pair of freshmen from Broward County: Stranahan’s Nicholas Smith Jr. and Miramar’s Eric Nelson Jr.
MacIntyre said Washington was one of the best junior-college receivers in the nation in three years at Iowa Central.
Indeed, in 30 games there, Washington caught 107 passes for 2,027 yards and 24 touchdowns. In his last season in Iowa, he caught 54 passes for 863 yards and 10 TDs.
Last season, while playing in a run-heavy New Mexico offense, Washington caught 29 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers have higher expectations than that for Washington, who provides a size mismatch at 6-5 and 220 pounds. He also has a 6-7 wingspan.
When Washington put his name in the transfer portal, MacIntyre – son of FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre – made a visit to the player’s hometown of Belle Glade.
“He wanted to play closer to home,” Jay MacIntyre said, “and we told him we had to replace (nearly) 1,500 receiving yards (between Mitchell and Bracey).”
MacIntyre said he can see Washington becoming FIU’s go-to receiver on third downs and in the red zones.
“With his size, 50-50 balls are 80-20 in his favor,” MacIntyre said. “He can also make the first guy miss. He runs through arm tackles. He’s a big target, and he makes plays.”
While Washington should be an immediate starter, Smith and Nelson are considered longer-term projects due their inexperience and slight frames.
Smith is listed at 6-0 and 170 pounds. Nelson is listed at 6-1, 165 pounds.
The Panthers are hoping that both players will follow the trajectory of Mitchell, who was even skinnier and didn’t fully develop until his fourth collegiate season. But when he did develop, Mitchell became a star.
“Nick is really fast,” MacIntyre said. “He has to gain weight, like Kris did, but we see a kid who will mature and be awesome because he’s got good ball skills.
“Eric will have to put in work to get stronger. But when we saw him in 7-on-7 (tournaments), he was always the best receiver out there. We also saw Eric against St. Thomas Aquinas, and he made some amazing catches.”
At Miramar last season, Nelson grabbed 65 passes for 1,123 yards, a 17.3 average and 12 touchdowns.
“He has some ‘dog’ in him,” MacIntyre said. “He’s not scared.”
THIS AND THAT
FIU’s football program announced on Tuesday that it has added two games to its future schedules. On Sept. 12, 2026, Buffalo will visit FIU. On Sept. 11, 2027, FIU will visit Buffalo. The teams have never met in football.
This story was originally published January 10, 2024 at 9:28 AM.