Nine Panthers Featured On Phil Steele’s All-CUSA Teams

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Nine members of the FIU Football team have been recognized on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Conference USA teams.

If you didn’t know, Phil Steele is considered one of the best football analysts in the entire country. He’s appeared on national television and radio, but he might be best known for his preseason magazine. It highlights the best players from every conference in FBS.

The Panthers have two players featured on the First Team, five on the Second Team, and a pair on the third and fourth teams. While a solid number, FIU posted 16 players in last year’s list with one major returner.

CUSA FIRST TEAM

Kejon Owens – Redshirt Senior – Running Back

C’Quan Jnopierre – Grad Student – Kick Returner

CUSA SECOND TEAM

Keyone Jenkins – Junior – Quarterback

Alex Perry – Junior – Wide Receiver

Dallas Payne – Senior – Tight End

Brian Blades II – Redshirt Senior – Defensive Back

Trey Wilhoit – Senior – Punter

CUSA THIRD TEAM

Jaheim Buchanon – Redshirt Sophomore – Offensive Lineman

CUSA FOURTH TEAM

Johnny Chaney Jr – Senior – Linebacker

Talent For CUSA To See

Owens will look to be one of the premier runners in CUSA. He averaged 35.6 yards per game in 2024, going for 4.3 yards a carry with five touchdowns on the ground. Likewise, Jnopierre is a major part of FIU’s identity on special teams. He averaged 28.3 yards per return, the third-most in the nation, earning him All-CUSA Second Team honors as a Kick Returner in 2024.

Jenkins is FIU’s sole returner from the 2024 Phil Steele Preseason Awards, initially on the Fourth Team. The junior gunslinger passed for 2,557 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season. Meanwhile, Perry, a Sunshine State native, returns to the 305 after a three-year stint in Hawaii. He’ll look to be one of Keyone’s top targets in 2025.

Another weapon for Lyghtz is Payne, another transfer from UAB. The senior tight end had 385 yards and a touchdown for the Blazers. Buchanan was a 2024 CUSA All-Freshman Team member and appeared in all of last season.

On the defense, the Panthers are headlined by Blades. A product of American Heritage, he brings experience to a dangerous secondary, playing in all 12 games last season. He’ll be joined by Chaney, who appeared in four games for the Colorado Buffaloes last season.

Wilhoit represents FIU on Phil Steele’s special teams. He’s no stranger to head coach Willie Simmons, with both men playing parts at Florida A&M in 2023. With the Rattlers, he was a Second Team All-SWAC member and FCS Football Central All-American.

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