Expect FIU recruits to challenge for starting jobs right away

Know this about FIU’s 2015 recruiting class: Some of the names you see Wednesday that play offense, you’ll see on the participation chart Sept. 5 at Central Florida.

Possibly even starting.

In an increasingly stagnant, split America of Haves and Have Nots, Power Five and Group of Five, upward mobility lives at FIU.

You don’t have to be Sheldon or Leonard to run the numbers. FIU’s offense ranked 120th in the nation last year, and 39.4 percent of the Panthers points were scored or set up by the defense or special teams. Fifth-year senior Clinton Taylor and sophomore Dennis Turner account for 20 of the 21 returning catches by wide receivers.

Now, check out the 2015 recruiting class that could finish signing Wednesday: five players with wide receiver as their job description; two listed running backs and Central’s Anthony Jones who can play running back; one Alexander quarterback (Christian, from Lakeland Christian) already enrolled and another Alexander quarterback (Maurice, from Booker T. Washington) on the way to challenge incumbent Alex quarterback (sophomore McGough).

So, the job fair is open for players such as Columbus wide receiver Austin Maloney and Jacksonville Atlantic Coast running back Terry Bennett. All kickers and punters are invited, also, with the carrot of a scholarship at the end.

“I don’t think there are a lot of holes defensively,” FIU coach Ron Turner said. “Offensively, some of these guys are going to come in and play. Running back and wide receiver. I anticipate those guys coming in and playing. Quarterback, I want the two we have coming in [to be] coming in like Alex did last year, ready to compete with Alex and the other two guys [Bud Martin and Luke Medlock].

“One thing I tell these guys, ‘We’re not afraid to play true freshmen,’ ” Turner continued. “Look at our track record. Look at my track record at Illinois. We play a lot of freshmen. If they’re ready to play, they’ll play. The guys like that.”

With the help of a couple of holdover assistants from the previous staff, Turner kept together the quilt of his first FIU recruiting class, 2013, while cobbling together a coaching staff. Showing class ratings’ worth or lack thereof from a class rated among the nation’s worst, FIU got one of the nation’s best tight ends, Jonnu Smith; guard Jordan Budwig, a starter in 24 of 24 games; and middle linebacker Treyvon Williams, the center of FIU’s best defensive position group.

The 2014 class produced seven starters who should know better than anybody else there’s no tenure at FIU Stadium.

Last year, FIU set up the goal of getting to a bowl game and winning it. That fell apart after a promising 3-3 first half of the season. But returning starters and potential new starters slot FIU as a Conference USA contender, something Turner’s quick to tell recruits.

“We believe we’re on the verge of something special,” Turner said. “Our guys believe we’re going to win. We believe we’re going to win. It’s a great time to be a part of it. The foundation’s been laid the last couple of years. Now last year’s class and this year’s class can be the ones that gets a lot of attention, hey that’s the one that got them over the hump. The guys in the locker room now set the table and these guys can come in and take it to another level.”

FIU’S SIGNED RECRUITS

FIU’S VERBAL COMMITMENTS

This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Expect FIU recruits to challenge for starting jobs right away."