FIU set to add to its highly balanced football recruiting class on Feb. 7
Thirteen freshmen, 13 transfers.
Thirteen on offense, 13 on defense.
If the FIU Panthers’ football program adds the three expected transfers when the next signing date opens Feb. 7, it will even out an impressively balanced Class of 2024.
The big catch — literally — figures to be ex-Georgia Tech wide receiver Julian “Juju” Lewis, who has great size for his position at 6-2 and 215 pounds.
As a senior at Western, Lewis made first-team All-Broward. He had 77 receptions for 1,260 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two other transfers — offensive tackle Daniel Ogundipe from Texas-San Antonio and defensive lineman Giovanni Davis of Tennessee-Martin — have committed and are expected to sign with FIU.
Davis (Krop High) and Lewis (Stranahan and then Western High) would be coming back home to South Florida.
Added to the 23 players FIU signed in December, this would give the Panthers immediate help at several positions, including offensive line (seven recruits, including five transfers).
FIU’s other stacked positions in this class are wide receiver (five recruits, including three transfers); defensive backs (five recruits, including one transfer); defensive line (four including two transfers); and linebacker (four recruits, including three transfers).
The Panthers also signed one quarterback and one running back.
STAFF ADJUSTMENT
FIU coach Mike MacIntyre will need to adjust his staff. That’s because cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke has left for a similar post at the University of South Florida. Van Dyke played cornerback for Miami and in the NFL.
THIS AND THAT
Nova Southeastern University’s women’s basketball team (15-3) may be the hottest college program in South Florida. The Sharks have won 13 straight games, and they lead the Sunshine State Conference with a 10-1 league record.
The NSU men’s basketball team, the reigning national champs in NCAA Division II, is 15-2 overall. The Sharks are tied for the league lead with a 9-2 record.
St. Thomas University will begin its fourth season of NAIA flag football Feb. 23 against visiting Warner. The Bobcats, in order, have gone 7-8, 8-7 and 14-6. Coach Erick Burzanko said Florida is the state with the most talented players, but Georgia and Nevada are progressing.
All 30 of STU’s players are from Florida, including 24 from Miami-Dade or Broward.
The Bobcats return all but one of their starters, and that includes stars Jada Graham (69 catches, 937 yards and 10 touchdowns last season) and Tashumba Washington (11 interceptions).
“Jada is lightning with the ball in her hands,” the coach said of Graham, who is a two-time Sun Conference Player of the Year. “She played her first year here with a torn ACL, and we didn’t even know it.”
Barry University will play its first-ever beach volleyball game Monday at Palm Beach Atlantic. Coach Leonid Yelin has 12 players on his initial roster.
Florida Memorial is looking for coaches in women’s volleyball and men’s soccer.