FIU’s recruiting class ranked third in Conference USA as signing period nears
With the early signing period of Dec. 3-5 fast approaching, FIU’s Class of 2026 football recruits ranks 90th in the nation and third in Conference USA.
Among C-USA teams, FIU ranks behind only Western Kentucky (No. 77) and Liberty (No. 88).
FIU ranks ahead of rival Florida Atlantic (126). And, according to 247 Sports, FIU’s class is better than programs such as Oregon State; Virginia Tech; and Oklahoma State.
Of FIU’s 19 verbally-committed players, 10 play offense, eight play defense, and one is a kicker.
In addition, 16 are from Florida, two are from Georgia and one is from North Carolina.
Larry Blustein, regarded as the foremost expert on Florida recruiting, told The Herald that this is a quality FIU class. The four players Blustein most praised are:
- Miami Central running back Jayden Ford: “He may be the most dynamic player (FIU) has,” Blustein said. “You can’t teach 4.35 speed. He would be a difference-make even at a Power Four school.”
Ford is small – listed at 5-5 and 160 pounds – and Blustein said FIU will have to be inventive in how they get him the ball in space -- kick returns, jet sweeps and screens.
- Flanagan linebacker Michael Smarts (6-2, 225 pounds): “He’s a steal,” Blustein said. “He’s a borderline Power Four-type recruit. He’s got long arms, quick, will be good edge rusher.”
- Dillard linebacker Demitris Mincey (6-1, 200 pounds): “He’s had a monster year,” Blustein said. Indeed, Mincey has 33 tackles for losses, nine sacks and two interceptions this year.
- Chaminade kicker Noah Sidan: “He’s one of the best in the country,” Blustein said. “He’s a 50-yard-plus kicker. His kickoffs sail into the end zone.”
Aside from Ford, the other FIU backfield recruits are Georgia quarterback DJ Alexander and Carol City running back Justin Compere.
At wide receiver, FIU has commitments from True North’s Malik Penson and Barrett Schulz, who is from the Orlando area.
Penson, a 5-10, 175-pounder, has 32 catches, a 16.4 average and 10 touchdowns. “He’s a beast,” Blustein said.
Schulz, a much bigger target at 6-5 and 190 pounds, has 45 catches, a 14.8 average and nine TDs.
At tight end, FIU has two recruits: Jupiter’s Ayden Passley (6-4, 215) and North Carolina’s Davis Brown (6-4, 245).
Blustein said Passley projects as a receiving tight end. Brown projects as a blocking tight end.
FIU has three offensive line recruits: Orlando guard/center Sean Kentish; Tallahassee guard/center Kaleb Barnes; and Tampa tackle Riley Wilson.
On the defensive front seven, beyond Smarts and Mincey, there’s Madison High linebacker De’Andre Arnold.
At cornerback, FIU has Madison’s Za’marion West; True North’s Dominic Turnbull; and Piper’s Jahmani Chin-Suer.
Turnbull’s father, Nick Turnbull, played defensive back at FIU and for three games in the NFL in 2006.
At safety, FIU has Georgia’s Eric Johnson and Hollywood McArthur’s Jakari Johnson.
Speaking of Eric Johnson, it will be interesting to see if FIU will continue to add Georgia recruits. On the current roster, wide receiver JoJo Stone is from Georgia, and he would be joined by the aforementioned Alexander and Johnson if they sign with the Panthers.
Stone believes Georgia’s high school football players are superior to their Florida counterparts.
“I feel like Georgia is where it’s at,” Stone said. “I give Florida their flowers. They are fast.
“But when you get to talking about the best, I feel like we have the best in Georgia. No offense to Florida, but we have great coaches in Georgia, great facilities, weight-lifting (programs). A lot of Florida guys don’t lift in high school. I’d say Florida is just missing in the trenches a little bit.”
Meanwhile, Blustein praised the quarterback FIU has committed for the Class of 2027 – True North’s Zac Katz.
As for the players set to sign in December …
“FIU has a great class (for 2026),” Blustein said. “(Coach) Willie (Simmons) is the reason. He’s well respected and well-liked.”