FIU extends Atlanta quarterback pipeline with recruitment of DJ Alexander

If DJ Alexander goes through with his commitment, FIU will have signed a quarterback from Atlanta for the second straight year.

Alexander, a 6-2½, 200-pounder, has helped New Manchester High get off to a 4-0 start.

Christian Langford, a 6-1, 200-pounder, played for Langston Hughes last season, leading the Panthers to the state final, a 56-35 loss to Milton.

Alexander said he has never faced Langford. However, he has seen him play in person a couple of times.

The two quarterbacks have talked on the phone just once — after Alexander committed to FIU on March 29.

“Christian and I are going to build something special,” Alexander told the Herald on Tuesday night.

By the numbers, Langford had the more prolific prep career, at least so far. As a senior last season, Langford completed 73.2% of his passes for 3,253 yards, 38 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Alexander last year completed 67.0% of his passes for 1,839 yards, 20 TDs and three interceptions.

This year, Langford has played just two games, completing 22 of 28 passes for 318 yards, five TDs and no picks.

“My game has changed from last year,” Alexander said. “This year, I’ve taken a step back from straight running. Now I’m a true dual threat. I can sit in the pocket and show off my passing ability.”

His full name, by the way, is Delancy Alexander Jr., and he is interested in studying sports management and/or broadcasting and robotic engineering.

Alexander, who is an NFL Steelers fan, said his recruitment is technically still open. But he also said that FIU coach Willie Simmons and offensive coordinator Nick Coleman are like his second family.

“Nine times out of 10, I’m set on FIU, and I’ve told other colleges that,” Alexander said. “I have a relationship with [Simmons and Coleman] that I don’t have with anyone else.

“FIU has my heart.”

Meanwhile, Langford is likely to redshirt this season as FIU has a veteran starter, junior Keyone Jenkins, and a veteran backup, senior Joe Pesansky.

Redshirt freshman Clayton Dees is another scholarship quarterback on the roster.

Langford, meanwhile, is so athletic that Simmons used him on an end-around-type play against Florida Atlantic.

The play gained just 1 yard, but it was a significant clue in terms of how FIU’s coaches view Langford’s athleticism.

“[Langford] has shown that he may be the most dynamic guy we have with the ball in his hands,” Simmons said recently. “We are trying to find some creative ways to get him the ball. We may expand that package; “

That was Langford’s only game so far this season. If he plays four games or less this year, he can return next year as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility.

In other words, Simmons doesn’t want to “burn” one of Langford’s seasons unless he will truly be a big part of the offense.

“We have to be smart and strategic,” Simmons said. “[Langford] has a bright future.”

Meanwhile, Langford’s play last against FAU had the attention of all his fellow FIU quarterbacks.

“We were excited for him,” Jenkins said. “He’s a young blood. I wanted to see him go 60 (yards) on the first play of the game.

“We’re going to keep working on [getting Langford the ball] because he’s dynamic and fast.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ FIU’s football team (2-2 overall, 0-1 Conference USA) was off last weekend. On Oct. 4, FIU will visit Connecticut 2-2) at 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Connecticut’s losses were both in overtime — to Syracuse, which just beat Clemson; and to Delaware, which just handled FIU.

▪ Connecticut has a seventh-year quarterback, Joe Fagnano, who is off to a great start. And the Huskies have a fifth-year wide receiver, Skyler Bell, with more than 2,000 yards in career receptions.

▪ FIU’s men’s basketball team announced its nonconference schedule last week Tuesday, and it includes a road game at Miami on Dec. 16. FIU also plays at Nebraska (Nov. 8) and at LSU (Nov. 13).