FIU football transfer portal: 16 players signed elsewhere; 8 players added
The transfer portal has hit FIU hard.
Of FIU’s 11 starters on offense last season, eight have already transferred out. In addition, Lexington Joseph, who can be considered a co-starter at running back, is out of eligibility.
The only returning full-time starters on offense are quarterback Keyone Jenkins and center/guard Jaheim Buchanon. Kejon Owens, a co-starter with Joseph, is also returning after originally putting his name in the transfer portal.
On defense, the Panthers have lost four starters: linebacker Travion Barnes (Baylor); cornerback Hezekiah Masses (Cal): and safeties JoJo Evans (Louisville) and CJ Christian (Washington).
The offensive starters who have left FIU are: wide receivers Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech); Dean Patterson (Georgia Tech); and Nazeviah Burris (Arkansas State); tight end Antonio Ferguson (UAB); left tackle Travis Burke (Memphis); center John Bock II (Tulane); right guard Naeer Jackson (Louisville); and right tackle JaDarious Lee (Kennesaw State).
Backups/specialists who have also transferred out include: wide receivers Mike Jackson (Florida Memorial); and Ja’Coby Matthews (Alcorn State); tight end Rocky Beers (Colorado State); and long snapper Jackson Lee (Florida Atlantic).
FIU players in the transfer portal who have yet to find a new university include: quarterback Armani Jones; running back Shomari Lawrence; and tight end Rowdy Beers.
However, there is good news for FIU and new coach Willie Simmons as the Panthers have so far added eight transfers, including safety Demetrius Hill, who has returned to FIU after a two-year, injury-plagued stint at Illinois. If healthy, Hill should be an immediate starter at FIU.
The rest of the list of players FIU has added from the transfer portal are: tight end Dallas Payne (UAB); edge rushers Lamont Green (FSU); Aaron Armitage (Stanford); and Kenton Simmons (Butler); cornerbacks Kendal Marks (Tyler Community College) and Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine (Arizona); and long-snapper Trent Sims (Mississippi Valley).
FIU’s new offensive coordinator, Nick Coleman, coached at UAB the past two years, and that makes the addition of Payne intriguing.
Celestine also had a local connection as he is from Miami’s Palmetto High.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Nova Southeastern University’s men’s basketball team (13-0) continues to be ranked No. 1 in the nation (NCAA Division II).
▪ Barry University’s women’s basketball team (10-4) is powered by Audrey Jennings, who leads the Bucs in scoring (21.0).
▪ Six Miami Dade College players have earned All-America honors: Facundo Ochoa, Edoardo Duchini and Samuel Cayo in men’s soccer; Julia Gurgel in women’s soccer; and Katielle Alonzo and Mia Martinez in women’s volleyball.
▪ Florida Memorial’s women’s basketball team (11-1, 4-0) leads the Sun Conference. The Lions, under first-year coach Kevin Herod, have won seven straight games.