The FIU Panthers hope to have the newly minted Pitbull Stadium rocking in 2024 after a subpar 4-8 campaign last year. With a slew of experienced returners, including true freshman sensation Keyone Jenkins back behind center for his sophomore year, the program has a nice foundation in place for a bounce-back. Who are the Panthers’ top returning players in 2024?
FIU Panthers Top 10 Returners in 2024
10) Travis Burke, LT
Listed at 6’9″, 306 pounds, Travis Burke is back for his second season in Miami after starting 10 games for the Panthers in 2023. While it wasn’t the best season for FIU’s offensive line, Burke picked up valuable experience at the FBS level after two seasons at Gardner-Webb.
Now fully acclimated to his new surroundings, the junior from Hollywood, Florida, is one of the leaders on offense for the Panthers.
9) Kejon Owens, RB
Kejon Owens didn’t make any starts last year, but he made the most of his time off the bench in 10 games. He finished second on the team with 453 yards rushing on 80 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and five scores.
The hometown product returns for his junior year as part of a one-two punch with his running back counterpart, Shomari Lawrence.
8) Shomari Lawrence, RB
Lawrence started all 12 games for FIU after transferring in last offseason following three seasons at South Dakota. A Florida native from Pompano Beach, Lawrence gained 566 yards on 125 carries (4.5 yards per carry) with four touchdowns.
Lawrence and Owens proved reliable as a package deal in 2023, combining for over 1,000 yards. They’ll have to take it even further in 2024, with a lot of work to be done in Miami.
7) Eric Rivers, WR
FIU’s leading receiver last year, Kris Mitchell, transferred to Notre Dame after 64 catches, 1,118 yards, and six touchdowns. That leaves a decent-sized void out wide for the Panthers, one that will likely have to be filled by committee.
Eric Rivers joined the Panthers last year after two seasons with the Memphis Tigers. He didn’t register a catch with the Tigers, but he hauled in 32 catches for 370 yards, and two scores his first year in Miami. His role will undoubtedly increase with Mitchell’s departure, making him an experienced target for the Panthers’ young signal-caller.
6) Elijah Anderson-Taylor, LB
Elijah Anderson-Taylor rotated in the lineup off the bench last year for the Panthers, but he was still able to make enough of an impact to almost land him in FIU’s top five returning players. Appearing in all 12 games, Anderson-Taylor amassed 46 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, with a forced fumble, and two quarterback hurries.
The Northern Colorado transfer is expected to emerge as a starter at FIU, paving the way for his role to increase in the Panthers’ defense.
5) Nareer Jackson, OG
After taking a redshirt during his true freshman season in 2022, Nareer Jackson quickly became an essential member of the Panthers’ offense in 2023. Listed at 6’7″, 319 pounds, he started every game at guard, showing off his versatility after starting his career at tackle.
MORE: 2024 CFN All-CUSA Team and Individual Honors
A versatile, experienced, and rather large offensive lineman is a rare luxury for a team that doesn’t have many.
4) Dean Patterson, WR/PR
Another member of the committee in place to replace Kris Mitchell, Dean Patterson will be pulling double duty on special teams as well as receiver. Entering his fourth season with the Panthers, he averaged 15 yards per catch last year, bringing in 28 catches for 423 yards, and a score. He also led CUSA in punt return average with 10.1 yards per return on 13 attempts.
Patterson’s versatility earns him a spot among FIU’s top returning players, but his offensive production will have to see a significant jump for the Panthers to improve.
3) Jamal Potts, S
A fifth-year senior playing his whole career at FIU, Jamal Potts lands just outside the top two despite an above-average career. Starting all 24 games the last two years, Potts has racked up 154 career tackles, including a career-high 63 last season.
An unquestioned leader on FIU’s defense, Potts will look to end his long tenure in Miami with a winning record for the first time in his career.
2) Keyone Jenkins, QB
A baptism by fire more out of necessity than ability, Keyone Jenkins out-played expectations as a true freshman in 2023. After taking over behind center in the second game of the season, he completed 58% of his passes for 2,414 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
While his stats leave plenty to be desired, they are impressive for a player fresh out of high school who wasn’t expected to take over so quickly. It’s rare in the transfer portal era to see a true freshman get the reins, but he held on enough to be the undoubted starter heading into his sophomore season. With a year under his belt, look for Jenkins to ascend further in 2024.
1) Reggie Peterson, LB
Another fifth-year senior on defense that has spent his whole career with the Panthers, Reggie Peterson heads up FIU’s top 10 returning players ahead of his final campaign in Miami.
He’s appeared in all 36 games the last three years, starting the last 24. He had a breakout year in 2023, leading the Panthers with 104 tackles, the 10th-most in the program’s history, along with 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and an interception.
The Panthers are 9-32 during Peterson’s time at FIU, coming off consecutive 4-8 seasons. He will likely need him to match or improve on that breakout season if he wants to end his career on a winning note.
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