IRVING, Texas (Dec. 6, 2016) – A total of 10 Panthers have been recognized by Conference USA, including Second-Team All-C-USA selections senior Jonnu Smith and junior Anthony Wint, as the league announced its all-conference football teams on Tuesday. Along with Smith and Wint, junior Alex Gardner, senior Dieugot Joseph, senior Michael Montero, junior Thomas Owens, redshirt junior Treyvon Williams, junior Niko Gonzalez, senior Austin Taylor and senior Sam Medlock received all-conference honorable mention recognition, as selected by the league's 13 head football coaches.
 
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). 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 preseason All-C-USA selection, 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, appeared and 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 preseason All-C-USA selection, Wint also received preseason recognition from Athlon and Phil Steele (first team).
 
Gardner, an honorable mention selection at running back, appeared and started in all 12 games for the Panthers. The Jacksonville product rushed for 930 yards on 181 carries and six touchdowns. Gardner became the school's all-time leading rusher in 2016, finishing the campaign with 2,272 yards. He scored a team-high six rushing touchdowns, while recording five 100-yard games, including a career-high 141 yards on the ground at UTEP (Oct. 8). Gardner ranked No. 8 in the conference in rushing yards and No. 10 in rushing yards-per-game (77.5). He was named a preseason Third-Team All-C-USA selection by Athlon.
 
Joseph and Montero were named honorable mention on the offensive line. Both appeared and 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. Both seniors blocked for the school's all-time leading rusher (Gardner – 2,272) and FIU's all-time leader in touchdown passes (Alex McGough – 48); both marks set this past season. Under the watch of Joseph and 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, a preseason All-C-USA selection, was recognized by Athlon and Phil Steele (preseason Second-Team All-C-USA) and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.
 
Owens, an honorable mention selection at wide receiver, caught 47 passes for 652 yards and seven touchdowns. Appearing and starting in all 12 games for the Panthers, Owens averaged 54.3 yards-per-game and 13.9 yards-per-catch in 2016. On the year, Owens recorded two 100-yard games, including a 148-yard performance at Charlotte (Oct. 15). He had three multi-touchdown games and was one TD catch shy of tying the school record for touchdown catches in a season (8). Owens ranked No. 10 in the conference and No. 59 nationally in receiving touchdowns and moved to No. 4 all-time in career TD catches at FIU (15). A preseason Third-Team All-C-USA honoree (Athlon), Owens is one of nine FIU players to record over 1,000 yards receiving in a career (1,290).
 
Williams, an honorable mention 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 a preseason Third-Team All-C-USA honoree by Phil Steele.
 
Gonzalez, an honorable mention selection at defensive back, appeared and started in nine games for the Panthers. A native of Miramar, Florida, Gonzalez finished the year with 55 total tackles (36 solo) with four pass breakups two fumble recoveries and one interception. The FIU safety recorded five-or-more tackles in eight of the nine games he participated in, including a career-high 10 tackles in the season opener versus Indiana (Sept. 1). Finishing third on the team in total tackles, Gonzalez had eight tackles and a career-high two pass breakups at UMass (Sept. 17).
 
Taylor, an honorable mention selection at kicker, led FIU with 70 points in 2016. Appearing in all 12 games for the Panthers, Taylor converted 12-of-16 field goal attempts (75 percent – No. 4 in C-USA), including a 50-yarder versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 1). He was perfect 7-for-7 in field goal attempts between 20-29 yards and made 34-of-35 extra point attempts. He finished the year ranked No. 5 in field goals made and No. 6 in scoring by kickers in the conference. Taylor ends his FIU career ranked No.2 in school history in points scored (241). Taylor moved into second place during the Marshall game (Nov. 19, 2016) after converting a 29-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the third quarter. He also ranks No. 3 in career extra points (106).
 
Medlock, an honorable mention selection as a long snapper, appeared in all 12 games for FIU. He helped the FIU punting game average 37.6 yards-per-punt, while not allowing a blocked punt all season (59 attempts). The native of Jacksonville was part of a special teams unit that forced 23 fair catches and placed 12 punts inside the 20-yard line. He also helped the Panthers record 70 points in the kicking game as FIU converted 75 percent of the team's field goal attempts (12-of-16). Medlock recorded a pair of tackles on special teams. Medlock was a preseason All-C-USA honoree.
 
2016 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
 
FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
QB – Ryan Higgins, Sr., Louisiana Tech
RB – I'Tavius Mathers, Sr., Middle Tennessee
RB – Aaron Jones, Jr., UTEP
OL – Darrell Brown, Sr., Louisiana Tech
OL – Cameron Tom, Sr., Southern Miss
OL – Will Hernandez, Jr., UTEP
OL – Max Halpin, Sr., WKU
OL – Forrest Lamp, Sr., WKU
TE – Hayden Plinke, Sr., UTEP
WR – Carlos Henderson, Jr., Louisiana Tech
WR – Trent Taylor, Sr., Louisiana Tech
WR – Richie James, So., Middle Tennessee
WR – Taywan Taylor, Sr., WKU
 
DEFENSE
DL – Larry Ogunjobi, Sr., Charlotte
DL – Trey Hendrickson, Sr., Florida Atlantic
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, So., Louisiana Tech
DL – Dylan Bradley, Sr., Southern Miss
LB – TJ Ricks, Sr., Old Dominion
LB – Emmanuel Ellerbee, Jr., Rice
LB – Josiah Tauaefa, Fr., UTSA
LB – Keith Brown, Sr., WKU
DB – Xavier Woods, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DB – Jeremy Cutrer, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DB – D'Nerius Antoine, Sr., Southern Miss
DB – Branden Leston, Sr., WKU
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Canon Rooker, Jr., Middle Tennessee
P – Eric Keena, Sr., North Texas
KR – Carlos Henderson, Jr., Louisiana Tech
PR – Nacarius Fant, Jr., WKU
LS – William Eads, Sr., Middle Tennessee

 
SECOND TEAM
 
OFFENSE
QB – Mike White, Jr., WKU
RB – Ito Smith, Jr., Southern Miss
RB – Anthony Wales, Sr., WKU
OL – Joseph Brunson, Sr., Louisiana Tech
OL – O'Shea Dugas, So., Louisiana Tech
OL – Daniel Stephens, Sr., Middle Tennessee
OL – Troy Butler, Sr., Old Dominion
OL – Darrell Williams, Jr., Sr., WKU
TE – Jonnu Smith, Sr., FIU
WR – Zach Pascal, Sr., Old Dominion
WR – Nicholas Norris, Sr., WKU
 
DEFENSE
DL – Rashaad Coward, Sr., Old Dominion
DL – Oshane Ximines, So., Old Dominion
DL – Marcus Davenport, Jr., UTSA
DL – Omarius Bryant, Sr., WKU
LB – Anthony Wint, Jr., FIU
LB – Jordan Harris, Sr., Louisiana Tech
LB – Alvin Jones, Jr., UTEP
DB – Kishawn McClain, Jr., North Texas
DB – Brandon Addison, Jr., Old Dominion
DB – Michael Egwuagu, Sr., UTSA
DB – Joe Brown, Jr., WKU
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Jonathan Barnes, Jr., Louisiana Tech
K – Parker Shaunfield, So., Southern Miss
P – Jake Collins, So., WKU
KR – Kylen Towner, Jr., WKU
PR – Trent Taylor, Sr., Louisiana Tech
LS – Darrell Travis, Sr., Louisiana Tech
 

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSE
QB – Brent Stockstill, So., Middle Tennessee
QB – David Washington, Sr., Old Dominion
QB – Nick Mullens, Sr., Southern Miss
RB – Kalif Phillips, So., Charlotte
RB – Alex Gardner, Jr., FIU
RB – Devin Singletary, Fr., Florida Atlantic
RB – Jarred Craft, Jr., Louisiana Tech
RB – Ray Lawry, Jr., Old Dominion
OL – Nate Davis, So., Charlotte
OL – Dieugot Joseph, Sr., FIU
OL – Michael Montero, Sr., FIU
OL – Dillon DeBoer, Sr., Florida Atlantic
OL – Antonyo Woods, Jr., Florida Atlantic
OL – Chandler Brewer, So., Middle Tennessee
OL – Josh Chester, Sr., Middle Tennessee
OL – Maurquice Shakir, Sr., Middle Tennessee
OL – Jordan Murray, So., North Texas
OL – Sam Rice, Sr., North Texas
OL – Calvin Anderson, So., Rice
OL – Trey Martin, Jr., Rice
OL – Jevonte Domond, Sr., UTSA
TE – Kam McKnight, So., Louisiana Tech
TE – Ryan Yurachek, Jr., Marshall
TE – Julian Allen, Jr., Southern Miss
WR – Austin Duke, Sr., Charlotte
WR – Thomas Owens, Jr., FIU
WR – Kalib Woods, Jr., Florida Atlantic
WR – Dennis Andrews, Sr., Middle Tennessee
WR – Ty Lee, Fr., Middle Tennessee
WR – Jonathan Duhart, Jr., Old Dominion
WR – Allenzae Staggers, Jr., Southern Miss
WR – Josh Stewart, Jr., UTSA
 
DEFENSE
DL – Brandon Banks, Sr., Charlotte
DL – Aaron Brown, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DL – Deldrick Canty, Jr., Louisiana Tech
DL – Ryan Bee, So., Marshall
DL – Gary Thompson, Sr., Marshall
DL – Chris Hale, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DL – Shaquille Huff, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DL – Jimal McBride, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DL – Steven Rhodes, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DL – Bunmi Rotimi, Jr., Old Dominion
DL – Xavier Thigpen, Jr., Southern Miss
DL – Chris Johnson, Jr., WKU
LB – Nick Cook, Sr., Charlotte
LB – Treyvon Williams, Jr., FIU
LB – Azeez Al-Shaair, So., Florida Atlantic
LB – Russell Farris, Jr., Louisiana Tech
LB – Chris Melton, So., Middle Tennessee
LB – D.J. Sanders, Jr.., Middle Tennessee
LB – Joshua Wheeler, Jr., North Texas
LB – Anthony Wilson, Sr., Old Dominion
LB – Alex Lyons, Sr., Rice
LB – Elijah Parker, Sr., Southern Miss
LB – Nick Usher, Sr., UTEP
LB – Joel Iyiegbuniwe, So., WKU
LB – T.J. McCollum, Jr., WKU
DB – Niko Gonzalez, Jr., FIU
DB – Raekwon Williams, Jr., Florida Atlantic
DB – Jalen Young, So., Florida Atlantic
DB – Secdrick Cooper, Jr., Louisiana Tech
DB – Prince Sam, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DB – Rodney Allen, Jr., Marshall
DB – Nate Brooks, So., North Texas
DB – Eric Jenkins, Jr., North Texas
DB – Tabari McGaskey, Sr., Rice
DB – Jordan Moore, Sr., UTSA
DB – Leverick Johnson, Jr., WKU
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Austin Taylor, Sr., FIU
K – Greg Joseph, Jr., Florida Atlantic
K – Trevor Moore, Jr., North Texas
K – Skyler Simcox, So., WKU
P – Dalton Schomp, Sr., Florida Atlantic
P – Jack Fox, So., Rice
P – Tyler Sarrazin, Sr., Southern Miss
P – Alan Luna, Jr., UTEP
KR – Chris Montgomery, Jr., Charlotte
KR – Kerrith Whyte, Fr., Florida Atlantic
KR – Tyler Wilson, Fr., North Texas
PR – Terry Juniel, So., UTEP
LS – Keaston Sinicki, Sr., Charlotte
LS – Sam Medlock, Sr., FIU
LS – Reed Buce, Jr., Old Dominion
LS – Matt Bayliss, Jr., UTSA
LS – Nolan Dowling, Sr., WKU


 
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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/.