Recruiting season will be key for Panthers
There’s just one game left in FIU’s football season … and then the real work begins.
With the early National Signing Day set for Dec. 21, Panthers coach Mike MacIntyre and his staff will soon turn their full attention to recruiting.
On Saturday, FIU lost 40-6 at Texas-El Paso on Saturday in a game that was never close. FIU trailed 38-0 in a noncompetitive first half.
Despite that, MacIntyre has done an impressive job after inheriting a 1-11 team in December. The Panthers are now 4-7 (2-5 in Conference USA) with that one game remaining, which will be at home on Saturday night against Middle Tennessee State.
Here are your five FIU takeaways:
1. TALENT UPGRADE NEEDED:
The Panthers have only two players who will have exhausted their eligibility after this season: defensive backs Dorian Hall and Kyan Brumfield.
Lots of players, however, are expected to leave the roster, including some for medical/injury reasons. Others will seek more playing time or what they perceive as a better opportunity, including a shot at pro ball or perhaps a transfer to a more highly-rated college program.
One of the biggest jobs for MacIntyre and his staff will be roster assessment. They will take a hard look at each roster spot and at every position. What do we have?
What is needed?
Which players have potential?
Which ones have reached their ceilings?
Which players, if any, have behavioral issues?
How well MacIntyre and staff answer those questions will go a long way toward determining success in 2023.
2. QUARTERBACK QUESTION: Grayson
James has played extremely well in FIU’s four wins.
But in FIU’s seven losses, he has often been unable to generate much, which was the case on Saturday at UTEP. James, benched after a scoreless first half, went 6 for 16 for 56 yards and one interception.
The problem for FIU was that backup quarterback Haden Carlson went 0-for-5 passing and generated zero points.
It’s a safe bet MacIntyre will look at bringing in a veteran QB for 2023.
3. BOLSTERING THE O-LINE: Perhaps the biggest problem on the team this year has been a lack of depth on the offensive line, but that’s something the Panthers are trying to address.
Of the six Class of 2023 recruits who have committed to FIU so far, two are offensive linemen: guard/center Jaheim Buchanon and tackle Daniel Michel, who is from Fort Lauderdale Dillard.
Besides Michel, two more of those six early recruits are from South Florida: Miami Northwestern edge rusher Toddrick Brewton and Monsignor Pace cornerback Victor Evans III.
The other two recruits are safety Landon Hale and wide receiver Jalen Austin.
4. BIG BLUE CHALLENGE: The Panthers will be home underdogs on Saturday against Conference
USA rival Middle Tennessee (6-5, 3-4).
The Blue Raiders have won two straight games, reaching six victories to become bowl eligible. They are coming off a 49-21 win over a Florida Atlantic team that routed FIU, 52-7.
Middle Tennessee is 3-3 on the road this year, including a shocking 14point win over the Miami Hurricanes and an 11point victory over UTEP.
5. END THE DROUGHT?:
FIU is on its longest losing streak of the year at three games. The Panthers have been outscored by a total of 144-27 during that span.
The Panthers will try to stop Middle Tennessee quarterback Chase Cunningham, who threw for a career-high 448 yards and five TDs against FAU.
Cunningham completed 40-of-54 passes, and running back Frank Peasant scored three TDs and posted 166 scrimmage yards for Middle Tennessee.