FIU Football 2024 Analysis – The Running Backs

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 running back room for FIU, including the dynamic duo we saw last season, the return of Flex, and general expectations for how the running game will be utilized for this upcoming season.

Let’s get to it.

The Lawrence Show Rolls On

Another position on the offense that comes with optimism, the running back group for FIU is defined by veteran leadership, as most backs are returners from last season.

More specifically, the two backs that saw the most playing time in 2023, Shomari Lawrence and Kejon Owens, are set to return for the Panthers and look to improve upon their solid play.

Lawrence enters his redshirt junior season with the Panthers after transferring from South Dakota where he spent three seasons. He has a lot of hype surrounding him, as he’s been named to the All-CUSA Preseason Second and Third teams.

While playing in all 12 games for FIU, Lawrence collected 566 yards and four touchdowns off of 125 carries, including a 67-yard house call against LA Tech in Week 0.

While he cemented himself as a solid RB1, he was part of a dangerous duo that included Kejon Owens, who also returns for the Panthers. Owens also enters this season as a redshirt junior after spending his last three years at FIU.

In 10 appearances, Owens racked up 452 yards and five touchdowns off of 80 carries – very similar statistics to Lawrence. Combined, the pair achieved over 1,000 yards.

Not much more needs to be said about these two. Their workload will likely stay consistent with what we saw last year, and they’ll look to improve on already solid campaigns.

However, one aspect might change things up.

Flex On ‘Em All

After spending all of last season on the sidelines due to injury, Lexington “Flex” Joseph is set to return for FIU. As a grad student, this season will be a last hoorah for the hometown kid who’s been added to the All-CUSA Third and Fourth teams.

In the 2022 season, Flex was a workhorse with 536 yards and five touchdowns off of 108 carries. He even doubled as a receiver at times, scoring twice. Sadly, an ACL injury during Spring Practices meant that 2023 was off the table.

But now, Flex has been preparing all offseason to get back to work and will look to make a splash as part of a three-headed monster that FIU has in the RB position.

It’s almost a good problem to have, with the offensive coordinators having to decide how they want to approach the run game now. You have reliability with Lawrence and Owens, but where will they place Flex in the mix?

Don’t Forget About The Newcomers

If all else fails, you need to have serviceable backups. While not at the forefront of the transfer portal or even recruiting, FIU does have some backs that could take the field at a moment’s notice.

Keep an eye on TJ Snowden. The redshirt sophomore was used more as a specialist on kickoffs and punts last season but put up solid numbers the year prior at Navarro College.

Along with Snowden, three redshirt freshmen are also hungry for playing time. These include Shaborne Demps, (Glades Central) Jordan Clemons, (St Thomas Aquinas), and Jose Corbo. (Palmer Trinity School)