As soon as a national letter of intent arrives at the FIU faxes, you'll know here. So far 18 Panthers are
officially in. CLICK HERE to read bios on the newest Panthers. Read below for comments from FIU coaches on the signees:
2013 FIU Signee Roster
DL Akheem Barton, 6-2, 235
OL Jordan Budwig, 6-4, 330
OL James Cruise, 6-5, 275
LB Jeremy Derrick, 6-1, 180
OL Chris Flaig, 6-5, 305
LB Jordan Gibbs, 6-1, 220
LB Jordan Guest, 6-4, 195
DB Xavier Hines, 6-0, 175
DB Wilkenson Myrtil, 6-0, 185
WR Shug Oyegunle, 5-9, 175
TE Jonathan Pavlov, 6-4, 225
QB Israel Paopao, 6-1, 240
RB Alfonso Randolph, 5-11, 185
TE Jonnu Smith, 6-3, 210
DB Willie Smith, 6-0, 175
RB Silas Spearman III, 5-10, 195
DB Vontarius West, 6-0, 185
LB Treyvon Williams, 5-11, 230
FIU RUNNING BACKS COACH APOLLO WRIGHT:
Silas Spearman: "He's very physical, he's catches the ball out of the backfield as well as any back can. He brings a defensive aspect to the running back position because he played defense. He runs the football a little bit like Kedrick Rhodes. At 5-10, 195 pounds he's put together."
Alfonso Randolph: "He's a strong runner with great hands. He's physical and relentless and will get the extra yards after contact. He's a very long back at 5-11, 190."
Jonnu Smith: "He will probably play the H-back, fullback position for us. He can really catch the ball and is a long kid. At 6-3, 210 pounds he has the ability to be a factor in the offense."
Shug Oyegunle: "Shug played just about everything in high school: quarterback, running back receiver, defense. He'll likely be a slot receiver for us and a kick returner. He runs a 4.4, 40. He's very quick and intelligent."
FIU DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH JEFF POPOVICH:
Jeremy Derrick: "He's a great side-to-side linebacker. Great tackler and has great hustle. He's very athletic and that will come in handy when we are facing all the spread teams in Conference USA. Jeremy can really play in space."
Jordan Guest: "He's a big body that can really help us inside. He's very physical and smart. He's your prototypical MIKE linebacker. He will help us with depth and could play right away."
Xavier Hines: "He's a fast, athletic corner. Longer than your typical corner, has good feet and more range and speed. He could play safety, but we like his size as a cornerback, especially when you are going against bigger receivers like we did last year against Middle Tennessee."
Willie Smith: "He's a very athletic safety who can play corner against the slot receivers. He's a physical kid and he's long at six feet. Because of our need for depth at corner, he's valuable with his size."
Vontarius West: "He's very athletic. He plays all over. He can return kicks. He also can play cornerback and safety. We got bigger at corner with him and Willie Smith and Xavier Hines. He's a fast returner. He's probably in between T.Y. Hilton and Wayne Times when it comes to speed returning kicks."
FIU OFFENSIVE LINE COACH STEVE SHANKWEILER:
James Cruise: "He's very athletic. He's runs well and plays very aggressive. He can be a big kid. He has the frame to be big. He's very smart and he has the athleticism to play more than one position on the offensive line."
Chris Flaig: "He's a larger guy. He will probably be good at the guard position. He's naturally strong and has a natural girth. He bends well and he's a very bright kid."
Jonathan Pavlov: "He has the frame to be heavier than he is now. We see him working in our offense at probably 250 pounds or so at tight end. He played basketball before so he has a good change of direction and a great ability to block. He will help us in what we want to do as an offense."
