Expect big changes on FIU football roster for 2026
Like with just about every college football team in America, FIU’s roster will look radically different in 2026.
The Panthers, who finished 2025 with a 7-6 record and their first bowl game since 2019, are in relatively good shape. That includes at head coach, where Willie Simmons got a raise and a contract extension.
He is just the third coach to take FIU to a bowl game, joining a pair of big names — Mario Cristobal and Butch Davis.
Here’s an early look at what FIU might look like in 2026:
▪ Quarterback: FIU will surely look in the transfer portal for its next Joe Pesansky. Keyone Jenkins will have an option to return for his senior season or perhaps look elsewhere. It will be interesting to see if any of the young quarterbacks on the roster can emerge, including Christian Langford, Clayton Dees and DJ Alexander.
▪ Running back: FIU will miss record-breaking RB Kejon Owens. Anthony Carrie would appear to be next in line, but true freshman Sterling Joseph was impressive in the regular-season finale, gaining 112 yards on just four carries. Devonte Lyons rushed for 288 yards and a 6.7 average as a true freshman in 2024. But he gained just 140 yards with a 3.9 average. In addition, FIU is bringing in two freshmen for 2026: Jayden Ford and Justin Compere.
▪ Wide receiver: Alex Perry is due back after a huge year. Kyle McNeal and Jojo Stone could see their roles increased. FIU also signed two freshmen with the potential to be stars: Barrett Schulz and Malik Penson.
▪ Tight end: There’s tremendous turnover here as starter Dallas Payne and backups Justin Cayenne and Braiden Staten are gone. Jackson Verdugo, who had a strong freshman season, is due back, and FIU signed junior college transfer James Resar and incoming freshmen Davis Brown and Ayden Passley.
▪ Offensive line: FIU will have to replace four starters: left tackle Jaleel Davis, center Julius Pierce, right guard Antonio Tripp Jr. and right tackle Daniel Michel. Due to return is left guard Jaheim Buchanon. Internal options to replace the departed starters include tackles Miguel Cedeno and Mykeal Rabess; Zaire Flournoy at right guard and possibly Jon Rodriguez at center. Buchanon can also play center.
▪ Defensive line: FIU is losing three of its four starters: Keegan Davis, Quaylen Hill and Olasunkonmi Agunloye. Starter Kenton Simmons is due back along with depth players such as Germaine Carter, Dante Anderson, Steven Shannon and Xion Chapman.
▪ Linebacker: Johnny Chaney Jr. is out of eligibility, but FIU has a good foundation with Josiah Taylor and Percy Courtney Jr. FIU will likely look to the transfer portal for more help at this position.
▪ Cornerback: FIU will have to replace all three of its starters as Brian Blades II is out of eligibility and Mister Clark and Victor Evans III entered the transfer portal.
Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine and Ashton Levells are due back and could emerge as starters.
▪ Safety: FIU lost freshman Jessiah McGrew to the transfer portal. However, starter Shamir Sterlin is returning. Veterans Antonio Patterson, Websley Etienne and Demetrius Hill are due back to try to replace McGrew, who was brilliant in 2025. Patterson had a big hit in the bowl game, and Hill and Etienne have experience as college starters.
▪ Special teams: Kicker Noah Grant; punter Trey Wilhoit; punt/kick returner C’Quan Jnopierre and ace cover guys Ross Fournet, Jose Corbo and Bobby Salla Jr. are all out of eligibility. But FIU is extremely high on two incoming freshmen: kicker Noah Sidan and kick returner Jayden Ford. On field goals, Simmons said Sidan has range up to 55 yards. Also, Maguire Anderson is due back to lead the way on kick coverage and also as a return man following his 97-yard TD in the bowl game.