Fall Camps Shed Light On Special Teams For Panthers

MIAMI, FL – As the Fall Camps continue for FIU Football, we’ve seen a better picture of what the team will look like. Between the offense and defense, there are a few positions that have been wrapped up for the starting spot, while numerous battles are still ongoing.

As far as Fall Camps go, what about special teams? There’s excitement to be found in that position as well. It features a tight competition for the starting kicker, as well as national headlines for kick returning. All in all, it’s a position that many take for granted, but you need your special teams to be reliable when it’s needed.

Special teams coordinator Kenneth Gilstrap has over two weeks to get the unit ready to go. As far as the players he can count on, there are a couple of names worth mentioning.

Getting Those Laces Out

Noah Grant is joining the FIU Panthers for his senior year. He, like many other players and coaches, came from UAB last season. That was a big factor in making the trip down here, with coaches like Gilstrap and Nick Coleman providing familiarity to the 305.

“He’s (Gilstrap) a real coach. He keeps it real with you,” said Grant. “There are a lot of coaches who might say one thing and do another. But he’s gonna tell you how it is. If you make it, you make it. You miss it, you miss it. He makes sure to tell you that.”

Hear from @FIUFootball Kicker Noah Grant (@noah_grant16) following today's Fall Camp! 🏈#FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/FsxdNouEU4

— Paws Up Podcast (@PawsUpPodcast) August 6, 2025

In some of his previous endeavors, he was given the role of kicking punts, field goals, and kickoffs. With FIU, he’ll specialize in just field goals and kickoffs, which he says will help him focus on doing what he can do best. That includes building camaraderies with fellow kickers Robert Czeremcha, punter Trey Wilhoit, and long snappers Justin Wood and Trent Sims.

With the wind at his back, Grant believes he can drain a field goal from around 60 yards, with a 55 to 57-yard range without wind. It’s worth noting that former FIU kicker Jose Borregales holds the school record for the longest field goal, being 53 yards against Middle Tennessee in 2018.

Running It All The Way Back

On the other side of special teams, you need to be able to give your offense as much room to work with as possible. That’s where the kick returners come in, and C’Quan Jnopierre will be FIU’s guy for that.

Since arriving at FIU last season following a year at St. Thomas University, special teams is where he’s thrived. He averaged 28.3 yards per return, the third-most in all of FBS. For his efforts last season, he’s been named the 2025 CUSA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year.

Hear from @FIUFootball Kick Returner C'Quan Jnopierre
(@BoolinQuann) following today's Fall Camp! 🏈 #FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/th3EHE6VLd

— Paws Up Podcast (@PawsUpPodcast) August 6, 2025

“I wouldn’t say I got any pressure from it. I’ve been playing special teams my whole life,” said Jnopierre. “It’s been easy for me my whole life. I’m blessed that they recognized me. I would say it’s motivation. It pushed me harder to see people opening their eyes and seeing the work that I put in.”

Jnopierre was scarcely used as a wide receiver last season, but he has the potential to get more snaps in 2025. With a completely new wide receiver room, that opens up an opportunity for him to showcase his talents as a receiver, ALONGSIDE as a kick returner.

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