FIU begins spring drills with a more buff Jenkins at QB
Up-down, up-down, up-down.
Before he stood in front of TV cameras and tape recorders following FIU’s first football practice of the spring, quarterback Keyone Jenkins ripped off some push-ups.
Jenkins, who stands 5-11, weighed about 180 pounds last season. On Tuesday, he showed off his new, 194-pound physique.
“He’s actually got some muscles now,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said with a smile.
Jenkins, who won three consecutive state titles at Miami Central High, became FIU’s starter in last season’s second game.
He went on to pass for 2,414 yards as a true freshman. He also completed 58.4 percent of his passes, and he had an even ratio of touchdown throws (11) and interceptions (11).
Jenkins is considered FIU’s most important player, and his added strength could help him grow as a quarterback.
“If you love the weight room, it will love you back,” Jenkins said. “My [added strength] gives me more confidence and more stability to withstand hits.”
When Jenkins was a sophomore at Central, he was told he had a “weak arm.”
Ever since, Jenkins said he has dedicated himself to the weight room. That dedication reached new heights this past summer because Jenkins realized he needed to be stronger to be able to compete at a high level in college.
“The jump from high school to college — it’s different,” Jenkins said. “[Defensive backs] are more advanced. Their speed is different. They break on the ball faster.”
Now, though, Jenkins has something to combat that with — his new-found strength, including in his arm.
“The spin off the ball on my throws is different now,” Jenkins said. “The
velocity — I can see the ball get to my receivers faster.”
MacIntyre said Jenkins had some big games last season. But MacIntyre also said Jenkins had games in which he looked like what he was — a freshman.
“I expect a big jump from him,” MacIntyre said. “I expect him to have a great year.”
Running back Lexington
Joseph, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury, was impressed with Jenkins in 2023.
“I thought, ‘There’s no way this kid is a freshman,’” Joseph said of his fellow Miami Central graduate. “I was so excited to play with him last year, but I couldn’t.
“Now, I’m fortunate to return and to watch him control the offense.
“We know he’s talented.
I think he’s the best quarterback in [Conference USA]. He’s more comfortable now. I want to see him take that next step as a leader. It’s going to be a show with him at quarterback this year.”
That remains to be seen. The first test is against a Big Ten opponent: FIU opens Aug. 31 at Indiana. The home opener will be Sept. 7 against Central Michigan.
FIU has gone 4-8 in its first two seasons under MacIntyre, and the pressure is on to get at least six wins and become bowl eligible in Year 3.
“We want to be better than 4-8,” Jenkins said. “We’re not really a losing team. Everybody hates losing.
“I know I do.”
Jenkins, who said he believes FIU has done a “much better job in recruiting” in the current cycle, is also working on his improvement as a leader.
He is brutally honest as to how he perceives his own shortcomings.
“Not great but improved,” Jenkins said when asked about his leadership skills. “I need to be more vocal.
“I don’t like talking a lot. But to be that leader, you have to be more vocal.”
Jenkins, quite comically, was also honest about his added motivation in the weight room.
“What turned me up,” Jenkins said, “was that there were some females in the gym.”
Hey, whatever works. If Jenkins passes for more than 3,000 yards and gets FIU at least six wins, Panthers fans will be thrilled.
HE’S ACTUALLY GOT SOME MUSCLES NOW. FIU coach Mike MacIntyre, joking about QB Keyone Jenkins