Willie Simmons hoping to continue to build FIU football team’s depth

Willie Simmons’ goal in his first year as FIU’s football coach is to build a deep roster that is not overly reliant on star players.

And, in FIU’s 42-9 season-opening win over visiting Bethune-Cookman on Friday night, that depth showed up in impressive fashion.

Things will get much tougher on Saturday when the Panthers visit second-ranked Penn State. But, regardless of what happens in Happy Valley, Simmons’ mission will remain the same.

“Building depth is the only way to survive in today’s (transfer-portal) climate,” Simmons said. “We may not get the star power (FIU) had in the past with guys like (wide receiver) T.Y. Hilton or (safety) Jonathan Cyprien.

“But if you have a deep roster, one major (transfer) loss like (wide receiver) Eric Rivers (to Georgia Tech) or (linebacker) Travion Barnes (to Baylor) doesn’t kill your program.”

Part of building a deep roster is stacking talented freshmen classes.

Simmons said he’s thrilled with the Class of 2025 – his first at FIU – and also the 20 players who have committed to the Panthers for 2026.

The star of the Class of 2025, at least so far, is starting safety Jessiah McGrew, and second-team tight end Jackson Verdugo is not far behind.

Honorable mention goes to the three freshmen wide receivers FIU brought in this season: Tyson Carter from Orlando Edgewater; Kenny Williams (Gulliver Prep); and Amari Isaac (Hollywood Hills).

Carter has been touted as the fastest player on the team.

Williams has also drawn raves from Simmons.

“He’s a smooth operator with strong hands,” Simmons said. “He’s a silky route runner.”

Isaac, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, has impressed Simmons with his physicality. Isaac, for example, can bench-press 225 pounds 13 times.

“There are NFL receivers who can’t bench 225 13 times,” Simmons said. “But for (Isaac) to do that as an 18-year-old freshman shows his physical prowess.”

It’s no surprise that FIU’s team leaders are quarterback Keyone Jenkins; defensive end Keegan Davis; and cornerback Brian Blades II.

But Simmons said young leaders are emerging, too.

“McGrew is making all the calls in the secondary,” Simmons said. “So, guess what? He’s the leader of our secondary, and we encourage that.”

FIU’s depth showed through on Friday as 13 Panthers players caught at least one pass, and three running backs gained at least 49 yards.

Kejon Owens, Anthony Carrie and Devonte Lyons – in that order – are FIU’s top backs. Beyond those three, Simmons said Jordan Clemons had a great camp, and true freshman Sterling Joseph “has a bright future.”

Simmons said running backs coach Benedick Hyppolite controls the rotation.

“He’s with the running backs every day,” Simmons said of Hyppolite. “He’s done a great job developing them.”

THIS AND THAT

• Coaches rarely talk about games unless they are next on the schedule, but Simmons is unafraid to be different, and he has spoken of Florida Atlantic as being FIU’s real rival. FAU visits FIU on Sept. 13. Simmons has also talked about the Conference USA opener on Sept. 20 against visiting Delaware. “Everything we’re playing for,” Simmons said of a conference title, “starts on (Sept. 20).”

• Backup quarterback Joe Pesansky, formerly a starter at Holy Cross, made his FIU debut on Friday, completing 4-of-5 passes for 46 yards. Simmons said there’s a good chance the Panthers will need him this season. Said Simmons: “It’s hard to make it through a whole season without at least two quarterbacks.”

• Simmons was asked about the difference between coaching FCS football at Florida A&M and coaching FBS ball at FIU. Said Simmons: “The players are a little big bigger. The NIL bags are a little big bigger. But it’s sill just football. I’m just a country boy from Quincy, Florida who is blessed to coach college football.”

• Three former FIU players are currently in the NFL, including wide receiver Maurice Alexander, who is on the Bears practice squad. The two ex-FIU players on active NFL rosters are tight end Jonnu Smith (Steelers) and defensive tackle Teair Tart (Chargers). All three players are new this year to those franchises. Smith, by the way, was at Friday’s game.