FIU Football 2024 Analysis – The Defensive 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.

After spending the last few days on offense, we now look at the defensive side of the ball, starting off with the defensive line. This includes a look at some of the big-name players looking to continue last year’s success, and some newcomers looking for a starting spot.

Let’s get to it.

Please, Pass More!

Unlike the offensive line we covered yesterday, the defensive line features fewer big-name returning players, with a few finding new homes across the FBS landscape.

Jack Daly graduated from FIU, Will Prendergast transferred to Colorado State, and Jordan Guerad transferred to Louisville.

Certified starters leaving means that starting positions are up in the air, and the upcoming Fall practices will likely determine who will get the nod against Indiana in Week 1.

Being part of a chaotic defense that featured playmakers in 2022, Jeramy Passmore solidified himself as one of the most reliable standouts that have offenses shaking in their boots.

Being from Miami, Passmore ironically began his collegiate career with the Indiana Hoosiers, initially redshirting and playing a few games in 2020. When he came back home the following year, his workload increased in the trenches, and he developed into a star.

In 2023, Passmore started in all 11 games he was in and recorded 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He was consistent as well, posting solid stat lines both in the non-conference schedule against teams like UConn as well as the latter stretch of the season against NM State and Sam Houston State.

At this moment, Passmore seems to have solidified himself as the captain of the group, a common theme you might hear when discussing the defensive positions.

The question now becomes who will be the guys working with him on taking down the quarterback and limiting the rush.

It’s A War Over There

One of the most interesting pickups for this Panthers squad comes in the form of Giovanni Davis, a transfer from UT-Martin.

During a successful four-year tenure with the Skyhawks, Davis played in 41 total games and helped take them to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Game in 2022.

Davis, now in his senior year, has the talent and experience to make himself an immediate starter, so keep an eye out as we get closer to Week 1 of the season. He’s been added to Phil Steele’s 2024 All-CUSA Preseason Fourth Team.

Looking back at some returning veterans, you can’t count out Keegan Davis. He saw action in every game last season, though not as a starter. He’s proven to be reliable when his name’s called, and he’s banking on a breakout year in 2024.

In addition, redshirt sophomore Steven Shannon will look to run it back after an incredible freshman year that earned him a spot on the All-CUSA Freshman Team.

With 11 games played and two starts under his belt, he collected 14 total tackles, with two for a loss. His best games happened to be against some of the best teams in CUSA, including Jacksonville State and Western Kentucky.

Looking back at the transfer portal, FIU reeled in Cole Gustafson, a West Coast junior who had spent two seasons with American River College in California.

With the Beavers, Gustsafson recorded 32 tackles and three sacks in 2023 and could make a case for himself in Fall practices to be named a starter.

Another player that will look to increase his time on the field is Marquez Tatum. He joined FIU last season after spending the year prior at Pearl River College in Mississippi. He appeared in the season opener against LA Tech and recorded a sack, but didn’t see any action afterward.

Meanwhile, Quaylen Hill enters his redshirt junior season with FIU following a full season of play with the Panthers in 2023, with seven tackles to show for it.

He, like many others, will look toward the Fall practices to see if he can secure a starting spot.