Five takeaways from FIU’s first day of spring football drills

FIU started football spring drills on Tuesday, one day after a Panthers basketball player earned a major award.

The football team is coming off a breakthrough year in the first season under coach Willie Simmons. The Panthers went 7-6, playing in a bowl game for the first time in six years.

Here are your 5 FIU takeaways:

1. NEW QB

Keyone Jenkins, who was FIU’s starter for most of the past three years, is now a backup at UCF.

Joe Pesansky, who went 3-1 as FIU’s starter after essentially beating Jenkins out of the job, has graduated.

JJ Kohl, a 6-foot-7 transfer from Appalachian State, is expected to be the new starter, and he is giving FIU a different look – literally.

“It’s the opposite of last year,” Simmons said. “We had 6-6 and 6-7 offensive linemen and a 5-10 quarterback (Jenkins, who is technically listed at 6-0). Now, we have a 6-7 quarterback and 6-3 and 6-4 linemen. JJ is not going to have any problems seeing the field.

“JJ is also a freak learner, fast study, loves the game. I’m excited about his football IQ. He has a huge upside, no pun intended.”

2. NEW BACKUP?

Simmons said he was also excited about two other QBs: veteran Zach Marker and freshman DJ Alexander. Simmons did not mention Clayton Dees, who is believed to be the fourth-stringer.

Marker is in his seventh college season, including three years at Iowa Central Community College. At Delaware last year, Marker won the starting job but got injured in the season opener. He missed the rest of the season and his 2025 statistics included 3-of-8 passing for 21 yards.

At FIU, Marker represents an older QB – much like Pesansky last year – who could step in as needed.

3. NEW PERSPECTIVE

FIU wide receiver Maguire Anderson – fourth on the team last year with 25 receptions – said “it’s a different experience” catching passes from Kohl.

“When I’m coming across the middle, the ball is coming down at me,” Anderson said. “I feel like it’s easier (to catch). When I look back for the ball, I can see him standing over the offensive line. It’s easy to find him. It’s easy to see where the ball is coming out. You can track the ball earlier.”

4. NEW TOP RUNNING BACK

Kejon Owens, who set the FIU rushing record (1,334 yards) and was named the 2025 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, is gone and is awaiting next month’s NFL Draft. Anthony Carrie, who ran for 469 yards, a 4.5 average and five touchdowns as FIU’s top backup last season, is hoping to replace Owens’ production.

Carrie said he’s added about seven pounds of muscle.

“I wanted to get bigger knowing I’m taking on a larger role,” said Carrie, who is listed at 6-foot and 200 pounds. “I want to be more explosive.”

Carrie also wants to become more of a leader in this his third college season, including one at Georgia Tech.

“You have to live it,” Carrie said. “Everything we’re asking of our teammates, I have to hold myself to that same standard or higher.”

5. NEW HONORS

FIU’s women’s basketball star Rhema Collins on Monday was named C-USA’s Player of the Year. It was the first time an FIU women’s basketball player has won that award since joining the league in 2013-2014. Collins, a 6-2 guard who transferred from Ole Miss, was also named the league’s Newcomer of the Year.

Collins and teammate Parris Atkins also made first-team All-C-USA, and both of them made the All-Defense team. Collins ranks second in the league in scoring (17.2) and third in rebounds (9.0). Atkins, a 5-8 guard, averaged 16.7 points.

As for FIU’s men’s basketball team, Corey Stephenson (17.8 scoring average, fourth in the league) made second-team All-C-USA. Eric Dibami (third in the league with 1.4 blocks per game, fourth in steals with 1.4) made the All-Defense team.