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These two former FIU Panthers players make 53-man NFL rosters as rookies

The FIU football program added to its representation on NFL 53-man rosters this past weekend as rookie cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver made the Carolina Panthers and rookie quarterback James Morgan made the New York Jets.

Morgan, a fourth-round pick, and Thomas-Oliver, a seventh-rounder are joined on NFL 53-man rosters by Indianapolis Colts starting wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and Tennessee Titans starting tight end Jonnu Smith.

Thomas-Oliver was battling former Miami Hurricanes cornerback Corn Elder for a roster spot … and both made the team.

More good news for FIU came from the Tennessee Titans, who signed rookie defensive tackle and ex-Panthers standout Teair Tart to their practice squad. In addition, veteran safety and former FIU standout Jonathan Cyprien is on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.

However, four other ex-FIU players were cut and did not land on an initial practice squad, a list that includes quarterback Alex McGough (Houston Texas), cornerback Ike Brown (Buffalo Bills) and running backs Anthony Jones (Seattle Seahawks) and Napoleon Maxwell (Chicago Bears).

Jones, ironically, lost out to a pair of ex-Hurricanes running backs, Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas.

THIS AND THAT

FIU’s football team is set to open its season on Sept. 26 at Liberty. Of the 13 Conference USA teams playing football this year, only Rice will wait longer for its season-opener. Rice opens Oct. 3.

FIU’s schedule includes three Friday night home games, filling the void left by high schools in Florida not playing or even practicing yet due to COVID-19 concerns. Two of FIU’s Friday night home games — against Marshall and Florida Atlantic — were moved to accommodate CBS Sports Network.

Left tackle D’Antne Demery, who has missed just two games in two years at FIU, lost 15 pounds this summer due to a workout program. He is now listed at 6-6, 305 pounds, and he is listed as Conference USA’s fifth-best NFL prospect for 2021.

FIU coach Butch Davis, in his fourth year with the program, is already seventh in tenure among C-USA football coaches.

Davis has awarded two former walk-ons with scholarships: Obinna Nwankwo, an offensive lineman from Miramar who began his career at Florida A&M; and Nikholi Jaghai, a defensive back from Flanagan High who played previously at Northern Iowa.

FIU baseball coach Mervyl Melendez said freshmen Steven Ondina and Dante Girardi are battling for the starting job at shortstop in fall camp. The job opened up after Kaeber Rog left the program, and Roberto Sotolongo had shoulder surgery, according to Melendez.

Added FIU hitting coach Dax Norris: “Ondina can really play shortstop. He has an advanced swing, a good approach to hitting and some power considering his size [5-9, 165 pounds]. He’s a difference-maker.”

At third base, freshman Reynaldo Hernandez is challenging junior Francis Villaman. Hernandez is an advanced hitter with lefty power.

CollegeSoocrNews.com ranks FIU’s 2020 men’s soccer recruiting class 19th nationally. FIU’s class, which includes eight transfers and five freshmen, is also ranked 16th nationally by TopDrawSoccer.com. This is FIU’s first recruiting class under new coach Kyle Russell.