Offense
The quarterback room went to the portal and added two players. The additions of JJ Kohl (App State) and Zack Marker (Delaware) are big. Marker started seven games in three seasons. Kohl is 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds. He threw for 1,465 yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions in six starts last season.
The running back room returns some experience in Anthony Carrie, Devonte Lyons, and Sterling Joseph. This trio could do big things for the Panthers. Kejon Owens is off to the pros, and will be missed, but this could be the best position group on the team. Carrie and Lyons each had over 400 yards rushing last season.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Kyle McNeal, Maguire Anderson, Jojo Stone, Tyson Carter, and Eric Nelson. The additions of Greg Gaines III (Rhode Island) and tight end Kevin Schaeffer (Rhode Island) are massive. Gaines III had over 1,000 yards receiving last season.
The offensive line room will have plenty of new starters. Zaire Flournoy and Antonio Tripp Jr. have the most returning experience. The additions of Spencer Webb (Eastern Michigan), Daveion Harley (California), Manasseh Ripert (Western Carolina), and Oscar Colon (Presbyterian) are absolutely massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Kenton Simmons (All-CUSA), Dante Anderson, Germaine Carter, and Robert Williams. The additions of Elijah Simmons (West Virginia), Jamorie Flagg (Florida State), Anthony Cunningham (D2 Texas Permian Basin), Nathan Jennings (South Alabama), and RJ Moss Jr. (South Alabama) are massive.
The linebacker room returns Josiah Taylor and Percy Courtney Jr. Taylor is the Panthers leading returning tackler (76). The additions of JaCorey Stewart (Kansas) and Brayshawn Littlejohn (App State) are massive. FIU runs a 4-2-5, and these four will make a lot of plays.
The secondary returns experience in Shamir Sterlin, Demetrius Hill, and Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine. Sterlin is a future All-CUSA performer. The additions of Lawrence Johnson (Florida Atlantic), Da’Vontae Floyd (Duke), Ryan Gadson (Lafayette), Wesley Miller (South Alabama), and DeAndre Boykins (Oklahoma State) are massive.
Specialists
Robert Czeremcha or true freshman Noah Sidon will handle the kicking duties. Punting duties will belong to Stone Springman. Maguire Anderson is an electric punt returner. He had a 97-yard punt return touchdown against UTSA in the First Responder Bowl.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at South Florida
- 9/12 Buffalo
- 9/19 at Florida Atlantic
- 9/26 Long Island
- 10/7 New Mexico State
- 10/13 at Jacksonville State
- 10/20 Middle Tennessee State
- 10/31 at Liberty
- 11/7 Missouri State
- 11/14 at Delaware
- 11/21 at Kennesaw State
- 11/28 Sam Houston
Final Analysis
Willie Simmons is a fantastic coach and he is a winner. FIU had its first winning season since 2018 and first bowl game appearance since 2019 last season. The Panthers lose a ton of talent, but Simmons has recruited at a very high level to reload the roster. Another bowl game is within reach.
