MIAMI (Aug. 13, 2016) – As the FIU football team gets week number two of fall camp under way, FIUSports.com will spotlight the team's newcomers with a number of fun and interesting questions.
 
Each day, we will talk to multiple first-year Panthers. Today's third and final spotlight will feature linebacker Giovanni Menocal, a 6-foot-2, 229-pound freshman from Miami.
 
If you weren't playing football, what would you be doing?
I'd probably getting ready to work with the FBI (something tactical – secret service). I'm interested in working in the FBI or a government agency. My whole family is in law enforcement, so I have been raised around guns and gun safety.  
 
Who do you model your game after/who is your favorite pro-athlete?
It was Ray Lewis until he retired. Right now it would have to be Bruce Irvin. I see how aggressive and physical he is and I try to bring that same physical and aggressive play every down.
 
In a movie about your life, what movie star would play you?
The Rock
 
What's the number one song or most recent song on your playlist?
Katy Perry – Rise. It's a song that my mom told me to download. She explained that it was a perfect example of what you had to overcome to get to where you are today. After two weeks of her persistence, I finally downloaded it, and she was right.
 
What's your favorite football movie?
Either The Longest Yard or Gridiron Gang
 
What's your favorite cartoon growing up?
Either Spongebob or Courage the Cowardly Dog
 
Do you have any special hidden talents?
I love to compete. At the age of 5 or 6 I began playing paintball with my brother. It's always been a hobby of mine.
 
What is your favorite app/what app do you use the most?
Spinrilla – a music app. Before that it would have been the Calorie Counter.
 
Pokémon Go? Yes or No?
I tried it out. I got to level 11 and then I dropped off.
 
Be sure to check back with FIUSports.com each day for the latest Newcomer Spotlight, as well as, the latest on this year's fall camp.  
 
Previous Newcomer Spotlights
Hunter Arbit (8/3)
Dominic Caldwell (8/3)
Aaron Brown (8/4)
Zach Armour (8/4)
A.J. Branisel (8/4)
Isaiah Brown (8/5)
Andrew Brown (8/5)
Bryce Canady (8/5)
Wendell Ashley (8/6)
Dallas Connell (8/6)
Andrew Burgess (8/6)
Trayvone Blake (8/7)
Douglas Connell (8/7)
Shakur Cooper (8/7)
Olin Cushion III (8/8)
Bryan Ditchman (8/8)
Jean Estinor (8/8)
Tony Gaiter IV (8/10)
Ulice Gillard III (8/10)
Tyler Greenlee (8/10)
Isaiah Hill (8/11)
David Jenkins (8/11)
Jordan Hinojosa (8/11)
Chris Judge (8/12)
Matthew Kramer (8/12)
Jacob Kraut (8/12)
JoJo Louis (8/13)
Shane McGough (8/13)
 
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The 2016 FIU football season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 1, when the Panthers host the Indiana Hoosiers.

FIU's 2016 schedule is highlighted with games against Miami Beach Bowl and 2015 C-USA champion WKU, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl champion Louisiana Tech, St. Petersburg Bowl champion Marshall, Popeyes Bahama Bowl participant Middle Tennessee, and New Era Pinstripe Bowl participant Indiana. In addition, the Panthers will face Maryland, Massachusetts, UCF, Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Charlotte and Old Dominion. 
 
For FIU football ticket information, contact the University Credit Union Box Office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
 
For the latest information on Panthers football, follow us on Twitter, @FIUFootball, and check out Pete Pelegrin's in-depth coverage of FIU Athletics on his official blog, The Prowl, at www.FIUSports.com.

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2016 FIU Football Schedule
Sept. 1          INDIANA [ESPNU]; 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9          MARYLAND [CBSSN]; 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17         at UMass; 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 24         UCF [beIN]; 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 1            FLORIDA ATLANTIC* [beIN]; 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 8            at UTEP; 8:00 p.m.
Oct. 15          at Charlotte; 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 22          LOUISIANA TECH* (Homecoming); 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 29          MIDDLE TENNESSEE*; 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 5           at WKU* [beIN]; 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 19          MARSHALL* [ASN]; 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 26          at Old Dominion*
 
* denotes Conference USA Games
 Home games at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium are capitalized and bolded;

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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/.