CLEVELAND, Ohio (Dec. 13, 2016) – Four Panthers were named to this year's Phil Steele All-Conference USA Team, the publication announced on Monday. Senior Jonnu Smith and junior Anthony Wint earned second-team honors, while senior Michael Montero and redshirt junior Treyvon Williams received third-team recognition.
 
Smith, a second-team selection at tight end, appeared and started in 11 games for the Panthers. The native of Ocala, Florida, caught 42 passes for 506 yards and four touchdowns. He became the fifth player in FIU history to register over 2,000 yards receiving during a career (2,001 yards). Smith averaged 12.0 yards-per-catch and 46.0 yards-per-game in 2016. He finished his career registering at least one reception in every game he played (43-straight – second-most in school history). Smith caught the game-winning touchdown pass at Charlotte – his first TD catch of the season. He opened the season with a season-high eight catches for 83 yards versus Indiana (Sept. 1). A Second-Team All-C-USA selection in 2016, Smith was a preseason first-team, all-conference honoree by Athlon and Phil Steele and was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List.
 
Wint, a second-team selection at linebacker, started in all 12 games for FIU. The third-year linebacker finished the year with 108 total tackles (57 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His 108 tackles on the year were the sixth-most in school history, while his career total of 244 ranks ninth all-time at FIU. The native of Homestead, Florida, registered 10-or-more tackles six times, including a career-high 13 at Charlotte (Oct. 15). A two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week, Wint ranked No. 7 in the conference and No. 35 in the nation in total tackles. A Second-Team All-C-USA selection in 2016, Wint also received preseason recognition from Athlon and Phil Steele (first team).
 
Montero, a third-team selection on the offensive line, started in all 12 games on an offensive line that helped produce 4,503 yards of total offense (No. 4 all-time for yards in a season at FIU) in 2016. The Panthers rushed for 1,783 yards (third-most in school history) and produced 2,720 yards through the air. Montero blocked for the school's all-time leading rusher (Alex Gardner – 2,272 yards) and FIU's all-time leader in touchdown passes (Alex McGough – 48); both marks set this past season. Under the watch of Montero, FIU's offense gained over 200 yards on the ground five times, including a 270-yard performance versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 1), while gaining over 500 yards of total offense twice. Montero, an Honorable Mention All-C-USA selection in 2016, was recognized by Athlon and Phil Steele (preseason Second-Team All-C-USA) and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.
 
Williams, a third-team selection at linebacker, led FIU with 109 tackles, starting in all 12 games in 2016. The Miami native, registered 61 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks during his junior campaign. Williams was tied for the team lead in tackles for loss and was second on the squad in sacks. His 109 total tackles were the fifth-most in a single season in school history. Williams registered 10-or-more tackles five times, including a career-high 15 versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 1). He had at least five tackles in every game during the 2016 season, ranking No. 6 in the conference and No. 32 in the nation in total tackles. Williams was an Honorable Mention C-USA selection in 2016 and a preseason Third-Team All-C-USA honoree by Phil Steele.
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.