FIU Football 2024 Analysis – The Offensive Line

MIAMI, FL – With football approaching for the FIU Panthers, anticipation for the upcoming season requires a deep dive into all aspects of the team, ensuring the best view of what 2024 could look like for the 305.

In this article, we’ll be detailing the big men up front, the offensive line. Details include a look at the returners and newcomers, what a starting line could look like, and the importance they have to the success of the offense.

Let’s get to it.

Reliability Is Key

What makes a specific offensive lineman stand out compared to the rest? Many factors contribute to this, but I think the three biggest abilities to factor in are the following:

1. The ability to cleanly block for the quarterback.
2. The ability to create gaps for runners to get by.
3. The ability to stay on the field for a full season.

If you can do one of these well, you’re a good lineman. If you can do two, you’re great. If you can do all three, you’re elite.

That said, elite linemen are hard to come by just like most other positions on an offense, but the FIU Panthers have a few that can fit the bill, thanks to a plethora of veterans running it back in 2024.

This has come with experimentation in 2023 figuring out which lines work the best. Between finding the most overall success in protecting Jenkins and battling through sudden injuries and suspensions, there were many lineups with varying degrees of success.

However, probably the best the O-line looked in 2023 came in their 44-20 loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC. That game featured the following linemen:

• #56 JaDarious Lee / Left Tackle / Redshirt Sophomore
• #50 Naeer Jackson / Left Guard / Redshirt Sophomore
• #69 Ming Tjon / Center / Redshirt Junior
• #55 Wyatt Lawson / Right Guard / Redshirt Junior
• #54 Phillip Houston / Right Tackle / TRANSFERRED TO COLORADO

As you can see, four out of the five linemen in that game are returning, which is a great sign. Despite the loss, this lineup looked to be one of the best combinations all season.

JaDarious Lee provides longevity, as he appeared in 11 games in 2023. He’s been listed on the Phil Steele all-conference third team. Lee provides versatility, showing the ability to play all five spots. The coaching staff has spoken very highly of Lee and his ability to be one of the top linemen in 2024.

Naeer Jackson also has hype surrounding him. He was sprung into the rotation as a redshirt freshman in the first game of the season, capitalized on the moment, and was a starter in every game since. He also finds himself on the Phil Steele all-conference third team.

Ming Tjon started five games for the Panthers in 2023, providing reliability in one of the toughest positions on the field. As the center, not only do you have to block well, but you also have to cleanly get the ball to the QB. Thankfully, Tjon has done well with both demands.

Lastly, Wyatt Lawson brings years of experience into his junior season. He was a factor in all 12 games last year and started in eight of them. While not an important statistic for offensive linemen, he even recorded a tackle in FIU’s season finale against Western Kentucky.

Where To Go From Here

If these four are part of FIU’s starting lineup in Bloomington, I’d consider that a solid group. But the matter of right tackle needs to be addressed, and there are plenty of solid candidates.

John Bock II is a proven leader of the lineman with the ability to play as both a center and guard, however, he’s still facing a suspension that sat him out for the latter end of 2023 and the start of 2024. Still, when he’s back, expect him to make an impact.

Travis Burke was a starter when 2023 began, but ended up missing the remainder of the season after suffering an injury before the Arkansas game. He will be a starter in 2024 for the Panthers, likely replacing Philip Houston.

Ben Shellenback is an interesting addition. After spending five years with the Tusculum Pioneers, a DII team in Tennessee, the Grad Student arrives at FIU with a very solid resume, including a 2023 Preseason All-South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division Team.

Tyler Rhode also is another transfer who hails from a DII team, the Indianapolis Greyhounds. With 18 in-game appearances during his time in Indy, the redshirt junior will look to keep the train rolling in the 305.

On the other end, there are plenty of redshirt freshmen that are looking for playing time. These include Jaheim Buchanon, (Lehigh Senior HS) Noah Fernandez, (Coral Springs Charter), and Denzel Dorn. (Gulliver Prep)