It’s that time of year again with the FIU Football season sitting upon us. Willie Simmons enters year two in the 305, and expectations are higher this season as the Panthers aim to establish themselves as a Conference USA contender. The Panthers finished 7-6 last year, making their first bowl appearance since 2019. Following a breakout season, FIU will look to carry that momentum in 2026.
Biggest Offensive Departures
Simmons will have to show that last season was no fluke and that he can sustain another successful winning campaign. The roster did undergo turnover throughout the offseason, making this a difficult team to project.
Keyone Jenkins transferred to UCF after three seasons at FIU and was third in program history in passing yards. He threw for 1,742 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for five scores. He finished this tenure at FIU tied for second in program history for career passing touchdowns and third in program history in completions (546).
Kejon Owens exhausted his eligibility, so he declared for the NFL Draft after recording the single-best season for an FIU running back in program history. He ran for 1,334 yards, the most in program history, and 11 touchdowns. He became the first FIU running back since Kedrick Rhodes in 2011 to record 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. He signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings, which is where he currently is.
Alex Perry transferred to Illinois after leading the Panthers with 56 receptions for 840 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He was fourth in Conference USA in yardage and first in scoring. He was selected to the All-CUSA First Team Offense at the conclusion of the season and finished ninth in program history for most receiving yards in a single season.
Simmons and his staff are replacing their longtime quarterback, leading rusher and receiver from the previous season. However, the returning talent and incoming transfer experience are sufficient to believe the Panthers will be competitive in CUSA.
Key Offensive Additions/Returns
The biggest question for FIU this season will undoubtedly be the quarterback position. Stadnings at 6’7, JJ Kohl is a transfer out of Appalachian State who’s a big, sizeable passer with the experience to lead this offense. In six starts, he threw for 1,465 yards, 12 TDs, and only two INTs. While Jenkins was more mobile and improvisational, Kohl is huge, giving FIU a true vertical passing threat. If Kohl can read defenses well and be efficient underneath, he will give FIU a dangerous passing game.
FIU has named Appalachian State transfer JJ Kohl its starting quarterback for the Week 1 matchup against South Florida, per @PeteThamel. pic.twitter.com/RXEwE00y0O
The running back room could be FIU’s bread and butter on offense this season. Anthony Carrie and Devonte Lyons will be relied on more this fall after placing second and third on the team in rushing yards last year. Carrie finished the 2025 season rushing for 469 yards and five touchdowns on 103 carries. Athlon named Carrie on its Preseason All-CUSA First Team Offense, giving him a favorable accolade to start the season. Both running backs will provide a 1-2 punch by splitting the workload and establishing the running game early to make it a big part of the offense.
The wide receiver class is talented, but it may take a while to see who emerges as the go-to target in decisive moments. Kyle McNeal, Maguire Anderson, JoJo Stone and Greg Gaines III are all capable of being centerpiece receivers. Gaines comes with experience from the FCS ranks, transferring over from Rhode Island. He hauled in 65 receptions for 1,018 yards and four touchdowns. McNeal emerged as the team’s top wideout following fall camp and is coming off a 2025 season in which he finished second on the team in receiving yards.
McNeal is on the CUSA Preseason Watchlist while Athlon has Anderson as a Preseason All-CUSA First Team Specialist. Both Stone and Gaines III were named on the Preseason All-CUSA Third Team Offense. Gaines produced 1,018 yards last year at the FCS level.
URI WR Greg Gaines III (@GregoryGaines03) was electric last Saturday against Albany.
Tight end James Resar and offensive lineman Antonio Tripp Jr. were named First Team Preseason All-CUSA by Phil Steele. OL Zaire Flournoy, meanwhile, was named to the second team. At 6’5, Resar is a big middle-of-the-field target who has the potential to be a mismatch and major weapon on this offense. Tripp entered the portal and did make some visits, but ended up withdrawing his name and remaining with the program.
Thoughts on Offense
Despite some initial uncertainty, FIU’s offense may surprise people. Expect a much more balanced offense now that Owens is no longer with the program. Throughout the offseason, Simmons has preached the need to balance the pass and run. Expect that to be the case early in 2026.
Biggest Defensive Departures
On the other side of the ball, FIU didn’t take as big of a hit in terms of departures. The Panthers have more upside on defense in 2026, especially with their linebackers.
Mister Clark transferred to Purdue after being an All-CUSA First-Team selection in 2025 with 63 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups. He led C-USA with 1.33 passes defended per game.
Brian Blades II was another secondary loss, after recording 26 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. The Wake Forest transfer finished his FIU career as an All-CUSA honorable mention pick with 103 tackles. Victor Evans III rounds out the cornerback turnover numbers after transferring to Nebraska. In 2025, he posted 42 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and four pass breakups.
The secondary is the only area of concern on defense since it’s getting a new look this season. However, the positives outweigh the negatives as FIU returns plenty of experienced stars and brings a nasty pass rush after leading the conference with 2.39 sacks per game.
Key Defensive Additions/Returns
Last season, the defense was tense and will carry an intriguing unit of defensive linemen and linebackers, along with defensive backs who can determine the game. Entering his fifth season with FIU, Jovan Dewitt may shift players around based on the best combinations.
Kenton Simmons is the leader up front and will get a lot of attention after producing six sacks, eight tackles for a loss, and nine QB hurries. He enters the season with First Team All-CUSA recognition.
FIU Edge Kenton Simmons(@simmons_kenton) transferred in from Butler Community College and made an instant impact for the Panthers, earning 2nd Team All-CUSA honors in his first season with the program.
Dante Anderson recorded three sacks, five TFLs and a team-leading three forced fumbles last season. His 250-pound frame gives FIU some serious size on their edge. Germaine Carter had 19 tackles, three tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He can occupy blockers and keep linebackers upright, while South Alabama transfer RJ Moss Jr. brings a disruptive interior presence.
Making the First Team All-CUSA defense and coming in with higher expectations is Josiah Taylor, who had 76 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and two sacks last year. Percy Courtney Jr. could have a breakout year after producing 41 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. He’s on Phil Steele’s Fourth Team Preseason All-CUSA list.
Not a ton of team drill reps today, but a great play here from LB Percy Courtney Jr. to secure an INT⬇️ #FIU#CFBpic.twitter.com/e9s4p4NymU
Shamir Sterlin is expected to lead the secondary. He was named Preseason All-CUSA First Team Defense after making 65 tackles, grabbing two interceptions, and getting six defended passes. Sterling was recently named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watchlist. Other key outside corners named to the Third-Team Preseason All-CUSA are Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine and Demetrius Hill. Celestine had 19 tackles, one INT, and a forced fumble, while Hill recorded 19 tackles and a pass breakup.
Thoughts on Defense
Simmons, Anderson, Carter, and Moss Jr. have to create pressure for the defensive line without blitzing too much so that FIU can put seven players into coverage. Sterlin has to be the guy who steps up for the secondary to keep the pass defense from being the weak link.
The Panthers went 7-1 when keeping opponents at 30 points or less but 0-5 when they scored more. A big part of FIU’s fate will hinge on the defense not collapsing and allowing those 40–50-point games.
September Showdown
The Panthers have a scheduling advantage this season, playing eight of their 12 games in the Sunshine State. In fact, they will not leave Florida for an entire month.
The season opener at USF will be an early test for this team. Having not played them since 2008, this game will offer a glimpse of how this young roster measures against an American Conference opponent. Buffalo could be FIU’s most important nonconference game of the season. The Panthers need to protect home field in their hopes of reaching a bowl game this winter. FAU is once again a highly anticipated matchup for FIU. After a 38-28-win last season to reclaim the Shula Bowl trophy for the first time since 2016, the Panthers will now have to face them on the road. LIU should be FIU’s easiest opponent this season. The Panthers already beat the Sharks 48-10 back in 2021, and a similar result should be the case this time around.
Defining Games
Then, the next four games could make or break FIU’s season. On the bright side, the Panthers showed last season that they can compete and beat these opponents.
New Mexico State is the C-USA home opener, a team that the Panthers comfortably beat two years ago, 34-13. This is the beginning of a four-game primetime stretch for FIU in October. Playing Jacksonville State on the road on a Tuesday night could be brutal. FIU defeated them 27-21 last season, becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2018, but now faces a more experienced squad. FIU hosts Middle Tennessee after winning decisively on the road against them last season, 56-30. Another high-scoring match is possible in what could be the swing game of the year. A big test for the Panthers will be the game at Liberty on Halloween. FIU pulled of an overtime upset last season with a 34-27 victory but now awaits a physical and logistical challenge.
Late Season Push
The November stretch of games will decide whether FIU is merely fighting for bowl eligibility or is a serious contender for one of the top spots in C-USA. The Panthers play their homecoming game against Missouri State, whom they lost to 28-21 last year. This is a game where FIU should seek its revenge at all costs. FIU then has two straight road games beginning in Delaware. The Panthers lost 38-16 in their inaugural meeting last year and will now deal with unpredictable autumn weather. Afterward, FIU will travel to Kennesaw State, another team that beat them 45-26 last season. This game will be a battle of who can make the other more uncomfortable. FIU closes out the season on their home turf against Sam Houston, whom they decimated 56-16 last fall. By then, the Panthers should have Pitbull Stadium designated as a difficult venue to play in.
Their home schedule is much more favorable than their away matchups. At its worst, the floor for this team is producing an even record in the regular season, with another shot at December football. However, this current squad is more than capable of turning the tides.
FIU’s opponents outscored them per game last season 30-28.5. If their offense can create more explosive plays and their defense can create more negative plays, then FIU Football can expect to produce their first 8-4 season since 2018.
2026 is about FIU shaping its program as a competitive one for years to come and that last season wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. 2025 showed that becoming bowl eligible isn’t the ceiling but rather the foundation of an improving football program.
He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.
More Stories
Panthers’ Lead Slips Away in 2-2 Draw Against FGCU
FIU Volleyball 2026 Season Preview
Panthers Welcome No. 20 NC State for Home Opener