:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60193061/487064898.jpg.0.jpg)
1. James Morgan - Quarterback
The former four-star recruit arrives to University Park from Bowling Green University at a crossroads in his collegiate career. He looks and acts like a QB built fresh out of central casting.
Listed at 6’5, 225 pounds, Morgan is regarded as a gym rat and earned his degree in two and a half years.
However, his on the field play has been less than stellar. After a promising freshman season, he was benched midway through his sophomore season.
With two years of eligibility left, he’ll hope that Butch Davis can help solve his accuracy and turnover issues and turn him into the highly-regarded QB that he was coming out of high school in 2015.
What he’ll have going for him is arguably the best offensive line he’s had in his collegiate career. Given time to throw there’s no reason to believe Morgan can’t be a star for this team.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11566593/858764664.jpg.jpg)
2. C.J. Worton - Wide Receiver
The younger brother of former UCF Knights standout J.J. Worton red-shirted after transferring from Florida in 2016. He played in thirteen games with two starts in three seasons in Gainesville but couldn’t break through to see consistent playing time.
The Panthers will look to a committee of receivers to replace standout Thomas Owens, and the local product out of South Dade High in Homestead will have a chance to shine. All reports out of FIU are that Worton has had a phenomenal spring, and was recently awarded a scholarship by Butch Davis.
3. Brandon James - Outside Linebacker
With the graduations of Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams, FIU will look to newcomers fill the void.
James is a former three-star prospect out of Miami Southridge High. After seeing minimal action in 2017, he’ll look to compete for playing time this season.
4. Teair Tart-Spencer - Defensive Tackle
Tart-Spencer is regarded by many recruiting publications as the best prospect in Conference USA.
He comes to Florida International after spending two seasons at JUCO powerhouse East Mississippi College. He had offers from power five heavyweights such as Alabama and Ohio State.
However, his JUCO career ended auspiciously as he was dismissed from East Mississippi which caused some schools to back off on recruiting him.
What he brings to FIU is a 6’4, 300-pound frame that’s ready to make an immediate impact on the defensive line.
5. Tayland Humphrey - Defensive Tackle
Speaking of the defensive line, Butch Davis secured another highly-touted JUCO talent in Humphrey.
Like Tart-Spencer, Humphrey is also a four-star recruit who chose to buy into FIU over SEC schools.
The Panther defense made improvements in its first season under defensive coordinator Brent Guy, but having depth along line that Humphrey will provide may help FIU move into the upper echelon of C-USA.