Davis’ first class packed with versatile, local players

MIAMI —The fun for Florida International coach Butch Davis will begin the moment he starts exploring the possibilities for the players in his first recruiting class.

Davis said the versatility is the most interesting aspect of the 20-player class. The Panthers announced it Wednesday on National Signing Day.

“There’s a lot of versatility,” Davis said. “A lot of these kids played both offensively and defensively. Those kids that played in the secondary, a lot of them were able to play corner, nickel and dime positions and they also played safety. The other thing I liked about several of these kids in the secondary and wide receiver is that they were punt returner and kick returners … You never put anybody back there to return a kick unless you really trust them.”

Davis is back in the coaching ranks after a seven-year hiatus. After completing turnarounds at Miami and North Carolina, he is attempting to add FIU to the makeover list. The Panthers haven’t had a winning season since 2011, but Davis said his staff is already making recruiting inroads.

They landed seven players who were rated at least three stars by 247sports.com. Among them were Miami Southridge linebacker Brandon James and offensive lineman Cody Bowes and Dwyer linebacker Jamal Gates.

Davis called the class “outstanding,” pointing out how the staff was able to put it together despite having limited time. Davis was hired to replace Ron Turner last November. In that period, they built enough relationships with players, parents and high school coaches to secure a strong class.

“We basically had three weeks in December, three weeks in January to go out and try to build relationships that take sometimes an entire year, if not more than a year,” Davis said.

The Panthers landed players at every position, including Hallandale receiver Shermar Thornton, Western defensive lineman Kevin Oliver and Sanford Seminole quarterback Kaylan Wiggins. Last year Wiggings led his team to the Class 8A state semifinals, throwing for 2,223 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 646 yards and seven scores.

“Our coaches went up and watched one of his playoff games,” Davis said. “One of the things that really resonated with me was the fact they lost a tough game. They were on track to hopefully potentially try to win the state championship. When that game was over with, our coaches said he was devastated. It ripped his heart apart … When they get upset and winning and losing means enough to them that they’re not afraid to show emotions ... that tells that kid is going to come in this building and he’s going to become a leader.”

The Panthers, who open spring practices March 7, also managed to land 14 players from the tri-county area — Broward, Palm and Miami-Dade counties. Davis called successfully recruiting in the area as the lifeline of the program.

“It will be a major emphasis as we go forward.”

RANDY VAZQUEZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Western defensive lineman Kevin Oliver was one of 14 South Florida recruits who signed with FIU.