Nine FIU Panthers from 2024 now starting at other football programs

Of all the football players that left FIU as transfers following last season, nine are considered starters entering the 2025 campaign.

One of them, running back Shomari Lawrence, is set to face FIU when Missouri State plays host to the Panthers on Oct. 29.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list is tight end Rocky Beers, who played just one game last year due to injury. However, reports out of Colorado State indicate he was one of the Rams’ best players this past spring.

In addition, six of those nine players are now starting at Power Four schools: wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson (Georgia Tech); right tackle Naeer Jackson (Louisville); linebacker Travion Barnes (Baylor); cornerback Hezekiah Masses (Cal); and safety CJ Christian (Washington).

Travis Burke, meanwhile, is starting at right tackle for Memphis.

FIU will face two more of their former 2024 teammates this season: long snapper Jackson Lee is now at FAU (Sept. 13 matchup); and offensive lineman JaDarious Lee is now at Kennesaw State (Oct. 21 matchup).

Other FIU 2024 transfers who could make an impact this season: safety JoJo Evans (Louisville); center John Bock (Tulane); wide receiver Nazeviah Burris (Arkansas State); and tight end Antonio Ferguson (UAB).

Meanwhile, new FIU coach Willie Simmons said the transfer portal has made recruiting harder than ever.

“Unlimited transferring makes it difficult to build a consistent roster,” Simmons said. “Theoretically, you can lose your entire roster every semester.

“In the past, you would plan on losing about 15 seniors every year, and you would sign about 25 players.

“Now you sign about 40 players, and some of the coaches (in Conference USA) have told me they have signed 60.”

Despite all of that, Simmons said there are no excuses.

“I tell our players: ‘If we were the only ones dealing with something, I would allow us to complain. But everyone has to deal with the same challenges whether you are at FIU or the No. 1 team in the nation.’

“We’re going to embrace (the transfer portal). We’re going to have a plan for it. How we recruit has changed. But football is still 11-on-11.”

THIS AND THAT

Simmons on the nearly 100-degree temperatures FIU is routinely facing this fall and how some of his players have struggled to get through. practice: “The heat is a hindrance right now, but it will be an asset come game day (on Aug. 29 against Bethune-Cookman). Hopefully it will be to our advantage when other teams feel this South Florida heat for the first time.”

Simmons said his players are in shape but added: “There’s nothing like putting 40 pounds of pads on and running full speed in this heat for two hours.”

FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins on Simmons: “They brought in the right man for the job.”

Jenkins on his leadership skills at FIU: “I love my guys, and my guys love me.”