Recruiting process underway for football program

Brett Shweky // Contributing Writer

With the 2016 college football regular season in the rear-view mirror, the Panthers look to improve their roster through the incoming recruiting class. After going through a turbulent season, the team finished its season 4-8 (C-USA 4-4) after Saturday’s 42-28 loss against Old Dominion University.

Failing to become bowl eligible, newly appointed head coach Butch Davis will now turn his focus to the impending freshmen class for the 2017 season. Davis, a former Cleveland Browns head coach and former Miami Hurricanes head coach, looks to establish a winning culture at FIU and that begins with recruiting.

FIU’s recruiting class currently ranks 82nd in the nation and fifth in Conference USA, according to 247Sports. The recruiting class right now has a total of 17 verbal commits. This total will only continue to increase within the next two months as National Signing Day closes in. Panthers’ recruiting class is headlined by a handful of three-star recruits.

Brandon James, outside linebacker from Miami Southridge High School, is one of the cornerstones for the FIU recruiting class. Brandon James is an exciting addition to the roster due to the departure of senior linebacker Davison Colimon. James is ranked as a three-star recruit by 247sports and could potentially make an immediate impact as a freshmen.

Wide receiver Shimoore Stern also looks to make an impact as a freshman. Coming out of Charles W. Flanagan High School, the 6-foot-5 receiver will add height to the receiving core and potentially become a red zone and deep threat.

FIU student Raul Gonzalez said “this is the pick-up for the year for FIU as of right now, height at the wide receiver position was one of the weak points for the team this year.”

The offensive line will lose three starters due to graduation this season. Incoming recruit Calvin Francis could earn early playing-time due to the lack of depth at the position. The center out of Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 310 lbs. Francis is a versatile lineman as he can be moved to any part of the line.

Professor Moses Shumow earned his PhD from the University of Miami and is familiar with the success that Coach Davis had.

“When the Canes were going through a tough stretch, Coach Davis was able to come in and help change the culture at the school” said Shumow. “ I believe he can come in a make a serious difference on teams play, but also on the overall perception on the FIU football team”.

With National Signing Day on Feb. 1, 2017, Davis and the rest of the FIU football staff will have to act fast to finish off the impending recruiting class.