FIU Football 2024 Analysis – The Linebackers

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.

Today’s analysis is on the linebacker group for the Panthers, including a look at one of the best players on the team, and how they’ll fare without one of their best last season.

Let’s get to it.

Professional-Level Talent

FIU has some solid linebackers on their current roster, but like many other positions, they’ve seen some quality players leave for one reason or another.

The loss of Avery Huff is disappointing, especially considering he transferred to CUSA opponent Louisiana Tech. That should be an awkward reunion with the Panthers on September 28th.

But the BIG loss happens to be Donovan Manuel, who graduated from the Panthers after a record-setting 2023 campaign. Included were 121 total tackles and the all-time FIU record for the most forced fumbles in a single season with five total.

Manuel was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings but was released. However, he has since been drafted by the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League and will look to smash some more records at TDECU Stadium.

Remember To Thump And Run

Maybe this is a hot take, maybe this isn’t.

But I think Reggie Peterson is the best player at FIU at this moment. The senior from Fort Pierce is coming off a personal best season with the Panthers in which he recorded 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception.

Combining his efforts with that of Donovan Manuel made FIU’s linebacker duo one of the best in CUSA, let alone FBS. Peterson brings a lot of excitement to the defense, as he’s been named to both Athlon and Phil Steele’s 2024 All-CUSA Preseason First Team.

Reggie is a guaranteed starter for Week 1, so now the question becomes who will accompany him.

Plenty Of Options To Choose From

Thankfully, FIU has plenty of veterans and newcomers to choose from. Phil Steele has high hopes for FIU’s linebacker group, as three Panthers are on his 2024 All-CUSA Preseason Fourth Team.

The only member of the Preseason Fourth Team that’s returning from a season with the Panthers is Elijah Anderson-Taylor, a redshirt senior.

After transferring from Northern Colorado following the 2022 season, Anderson-Taylor played in all 12 games as a reserve and still managed 46 tackles and a forced fumble, including a pair of games with six tackles in each.

Eddie Walls III joins FIU after spending three seasons at Bethune-Cookman. As a member of the Wildcats in 2023, he registered 45 total tackles, which included 14.5 tackles for a loss, which led the team.

Likewise, Travion Barnes is a transfer from Georgia Military College. The junior only saw action in five games last season but still recorded 23 tackles, three sacks, and a fumble recovery.

When They Get The Nod

There’s already recognized talent that the defense can choose from for a starting lineup, but there are a few other linebackers to keep an eye on in case they get the nod.

Dwight Nunoo is another transfer, this time from Dodge City Community College in Kansas. In his sophomore season with the Conquistadors, he racked up 75 tackles, the best in the team, in addition to a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Returning for another year with the Panthers is Percy Courtney Jr, who is entering his redshirt sophomore season. He saw action on the field in eight games as a reserve.

Another wild card could be Champ Jenkins, a redshirt sophomore who joins FIU from the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos.

Orlando Syph-Timmons is a redshirt freshman who will look to find playing time this season, coming from Mountain House High School in California.

Lastly, Josiah Taylor joins FIU as a freshman, coming from a very solid career with Sebring High School which includes 414 total tackles.