With no shortage of adversity, FIU set to close out 2023 spring football practices
From a season-ending knee injury to starting running back Lexington “Flex” Joseph to the loss of two first-string offensive linemen via transfer, it’s been a tumultuous spring for FIU’s football team.
FIU’s Spring Showcase – which starts Saturday night at 6:30 – marks the end of Panthers team practices until the fall. This will be an opportunity for fans to see how the Panthers are shaping up in their second year under coach Mike MacIntyre.
“Any time a player gets injured, it’s a bummer – especially a guy like ‘Flex’ who is a senior, a team captain and a really good football player,” MacIntyre told The Herald on Thursday.
“But our young guys on our offensive line have gotten better, and our d-line depth is really good. I’m feeling good about those two areas, and our quarterbacks have gotten good looks. Overall, I’m pleased with our spring.”
Joseph was injured during FIU’s practice at Charles Hadley Park on April 8.
“He caught a screen pass and made a cut,” MacIntyre said. “He took a hit. But it wasn’t a real big hit.
“The good thing is that Flex can redshirt and play another year. The bad thing is that we wanted him out there this year.”
With Joseph out, South Dakota transfer Shomari Lawrence is the expected starter for FIU’s season opener August 26 at Louisiana Tech.
MacIntyre praised Lawrence as being “big and powerful”, but the coach also said backups KJ Owens and Antonio Patterson have had good springs, too.
FIU also suffered another season-ending injury this spring as third-string quarterback Amari Jones tore his Achilles tendon.
MacIntyre said it was a non-contact injury suffered while Jones was dropping back to pass.
Three FIU players put their names in the transfer portal this spring, including starting offensive linemen Shamar Hobdy-Lee, who signed with Houston; and Lyndell Hudson Jr. (undecided). In addition, backup defensive back Joe Perkins also put his name in the portal.
On the coaching front, Corey Bell, who worked with the cornerbacks, left for Florida Atlantic. He has been replaced by Miami native and former star cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, who was the Oakland Raiders’ third-round pick in 2011.
Van Dyke, who played at Monsignor Pace and for the Miami Hurricanes, was on the UM coaching staff for five years.
“We’re excited to have DVD here,” MacIntyre here. “He is well known in the Miami area, and he brings a lot of cornerback expertise.”
Van Dyke is one of three FIU assistant coaches who played football at local high schools, including running backs coach Eric Hickson (Fort Lauderdale Dillard) and outside linebackers coach Anthony Gaitor (Miami Northwestern).
The Panthers are hoping that trio – along with MacIntyre – can lead the way in recruiting South Florida.
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU’s football team is ranked 129th in the nation, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Only New Mexico State and Massachusetts are ranked below FIU. The Panthers will visit New Mexico State on Oct. 4.
▪ FIU’s baseball team (15-22) rallied to knock off 24th-ranked Florida Gulf Coast 5-4 on Wednesday night on Mike Rosario’s walk-off walk in the 11th inning. FIU trailed 4-2 to start the bottom of the 11th only to record its first win over a top-25 team since 2021. Rosario, an ex-Hurricanes outfielder, drew three of FIU’s five walks on the night.
