Here’s a look at FIU’s strengths and weaknesses by position entering 2025 season

The FIU Panthers underwent some roster turnover at multiple positions once again this offseason.

But at quarterback, the Panthers will once again be led by Keyone Jenkins, who is entering his third season as FIU’s starter.

The defense will be led by a deep secondary, which will need playmakers to step up at the line of scrimmage to slow down opposing offenses.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the Panthers:

QUARTERBACK: A

Jenkins has been named Conference USA’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Now he has to live up to that hype. Three key questions: How well does he work with new offensive coordinator Nick Coleman? Does Jenkins have enough protection from his offensive line? And, does he have enough weapons at running back, wide receiver and tight end?

RUNNING BACKS: B-

Kejon Owens led FIU in rushing last year … but his total was just 392 yards. Owens, who had a 4.3 average per rush, is a tough runner and a leader. Devonte Lyons may be the best player in this group. He got a shot late last year as a true freshman, running for 288 yards and a 6.7 average in just four games. Anthony Carrie, who had been a backup at Georgia Tech, has strong credentials from his prep days. True freshman Sterling Joseph is just 5-foot-9, but he has talent. He may have to wait his turn, however.

RECEIVERS: C-

FIU lost five pass-catchers to transfers: wide receivers Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech); Dean Patterson (Georgia Tech); and Nazeviah Burns (Arkansas State); and tight ends Antonio Ferguson (UAB); and Rocky Beers (Colorado State). The biggest losses are Rivers (62 catches, 1,172 yards, 12 TDs) and Patterson (50 catches, 685 yards, 7 TDs). Who will step up? Nobody knows for sure, but Coleman said his best fastest receiver is Tar’varish Dawson, a transfer from Jacksonville State. Eric Nelson has the best hands. Ross Fournet is the toughest blocker. And Kyle McNeal and Hawaii transfer Alex Perry are the best route-runners. At tight end, there are two transfers with pass-catching experience in college: Dallas Payne (UAB) and Justin Cayenne (Penn). But freshmen Sean Burke and Jackson Verdugo and youngster Braiden Staten are challenging.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C-

FIU was hit hard by transfers as Naeer Jackson (starting at Louisville); Travis Burke (starting at Memphis); JaDarious Lee (Kennesaw State); and John Bock II (Tulane) are gone. All four had been starters at FIU. Fortunately for FIU, Jaheim Buchanon has returned, and he’s a preseason second-team All-C-USA player. Buchanon and Hurricanes transfer Antonio Tripp Jr. will likely start at guard, and Julius Pierce, who has a lot of experience, is the probable center. Buchanon can also play center. The tackle picture is less clear. Miguel Cedeno, who has one career start in three years at Rice, could be a factor at tackle with his great size at 6-7 and 315 pounds. Daniel Michel, a 6-6, 330-pounder from Dillard, is another tackle prospect.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C

End Keegan Davis sets the standard with his all-out effort, but who starts opposite him is not yet known. Candidates include four players who have yet to do much at this level: Toddrick Brewton; junior-college transfer Kenton Simmons; true freshman King Massey; and Florida State transfer Lamont Green Jr. Defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt’s biggest concern is finding a defensive tackle rotation that can shut down the run. FIU got pushed around a bit last year, but Dewitt likes what he has at tackle with Marshall transfer Olasunkonmi Agunloye (6-7, 315 pounds) and Quaylen Hill (6-0, 320). Watch out for freshman tackle Anthony Smith (6-2, 350).

LINEBACKERS: B

There’s a tight battle for two starting spots, but sophomore Josiah Taylor may have the highest upside. Taylor is FIU’s best coverage linebacker, and he hits hard, too. Colorado transfer Johnny Chaney Jr. appears to be a lock to start. He starred for FIU coach Willie Simmons at Florida A&M (7½ tackles for losses in 2023). Percy Courtney has a shot at playing time because he knows Dewitt’s system well after two years. Dwight Nunoo, an FIU backup last season after two years at a junior college, has a shot because of his ability to stop the run.

SECONDARY: A-

Coverage is the strength of FIU’s defense, and this unit is deep, too. Cornerback Brian Blades II is FIU’s best defender. Ashton Levells, a tall corner at 6-1, is a former junior-college player who has been impressing since coming back from a knee injury. Jay-Ayviauynn Celestine, who played 16 games at the University of Arizona, is FIU’s third corner. At safety, Illinois transfer Demetrius Hill should be an All-C-USA player, and Websley Ettiene has solid experience from Arkansas State (68 tackles last year). But watch out for second-year safety Shamir Sterlin, a 6-2, 205-pounder. “He’s big, long, fast and physical,” Dewitt said. Three other safeties to watch are hard-hitting Sadonnie Gay; speedy Antonio Patterson; and mature true freshman Jessiah McGrew.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

Simmons said new punter Trey Wilhoit – who is a preseason second-team All-C-USA selection – will allow him to play conservatively at times. “Trey can flip the field,” Simmons said. FIU’s main kick/punt returner is C’Quan Jnopierre. He averaged 28.3 yards on kick returns last year, ranking third in the nation, and he is the 2025 Preseason C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year. UAB transfer Noah Grant will handle kickoffs. The biggest question is on field goals and extra points, which has been a battle this fall between Grant and former Columbus standout Robert Czeremcha. Grant has the stronger leg, but Zeremcha went 7-for-7 on kicks last year – five extra points and two field goals.