MIAMI (Feb. 4, 2015) – The FIU football roster was bolstered on Signing Day when the Panthers confirmed 18 high school student-athletes sent in their National Letters of Intent to don the Blue and Gold beginning in 2015. With four early signees which were announced in January, the Panthers have a total 22 student-athletes in the 2015 signing class.  
 
"It's an exciting day for us," Head Coach Ron Turner said. "It's really a culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people for an extended period of time. A lot of hard work by coaches getting out there and establishing the foundation and developing the relationships with the high school coaches. We have found that once we get the kids on campus or coming to a game, we have a great shot of getting them. They feel the energy of the University. The University sells itself. We have a lot of people here that do a tremendous job of making the kids feel at home. We put together a great recruiting class. We helped ourselves with depth and with some guys that can come in and have an immediate impact on this program. We got what we needed across the board."
 
A total of 21 signees hail from the Sunshine State, with the class currently split evenly with 12 on offense and 10 on defense. Among the 21 Floridians, 10 are from South Florida, including nine from Miami-Dade County. Of the 22 newcomers, four players are currently in school as January 2015 early enrollees.
 
Sixteen of this year's class attended the Ron Turner Football Camps in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville.


 
2015 FIU Signee Biographies
 
Christian Alexander – 6-3/205 · QB ·  Lakeland, Fla. · Lakeland Christian
Led Lakeland Christian to an 11-1 record last season while throwing for 2,847 yards…Completed 179-of-297 passes (60.3 percent) and threw for 37 touchdowns with just 11 interception…Rushed for 452 yards and three touchdowns in 2014…Earned 3A Second-Team All-State honors. He earned Second-Team All-County in 2012 and 2013…In 2013, completed 127-of-206 passes for 1,865 yards with 22 touchdowns and only intercepted four times…Finished his high school career with 110 touchdowns (No. 5 all-time in the state of Florida) and 8,299 passing yards (No. 9 all-time in the state of Florida)…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.
 
Tuner on Alexander - He's a very smart, instinctive guy, who's a natural leader. He's a big kid with a strong arm and a good athlete. He's a thrower first, runner second. He has everything that we are looking for.
 
Maurice Alexander – 6-0/175 · QB ·  Homestead, Fla. · Booker T. Washington HS
Class 4A First-Team All-State...Named First-Team All-Dade County …Led Booker T. Washington to a perfect 15-0 record and the state championship…Completed perfect season, throwing for 3,060 yards and 32 touchdowns…Also ran for 466 yards and seven touchdowns…Guided the Tornadoes to a thrilling 34-28 overtime win over No. 8 Bingham (Utah) in the inaugural Burger King State Champions Bowl Series… As a junior threw for 2,111 yards and 26 touchdowns, which earned him Second-Team All-Miami Dade County selection…2014 Team MVP…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Alexander - He is a very versatile quarterback. He is a tremendous leader that comes from a winning program. He has a very nice release and throws the ball extremely accurate. He has the "it" factor that you look for in a quarterback.
 
Kenyatta Anderson – 5-11/182 · DB ·  St. Petersburg, Fla. · Boca Ciega HS
Named Second-Team All-Pinellas County…A versatile defensive back at Boca Ciega High School…Makes plays all over the field… Has a "nose" for the ball…A talented return man who also saw action on the offensive side of the ball at receiver for the Pirates… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.
 
Turner on Anderson – He has good size and great speed. We are excited about his versatility and playmaking ability.
 
Terry Bennett – 5-10/204 · RB ·  Jacksonville, Fla. · Atlantic Coast HS
Recorded 759 yards on 136 carries with 13 touchdowns for Atlantic Coast High School in 2014…Named a Times-Union Third-Team All-First Coast selection…Ran for 639 yards on 125 carries (5.1 yards per carry) with six touchdowns as a junior...Accomplished baseball player, ranked by Perfect Game as an Underclassmen Honorable Mention All American…Earned Fletcher High School Scholar Athlete Award…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Jacksonville.
 
Turner on Bennett – He is a good player and a physical runner. He has good speed and quickness. I'm excited about him and I think he can come in here and contribute right away.
 
Andrew Burgess – 6-6/280 · OT ·  Neptune Beach, Fla. · Duncan U. Fletcher HS
Four-year letterwinner on the offensive line for Fletcher High School…Helped the Senators win the Class 8A Regional Championship during his freshman year (2011) as well as back-to-back Gateway Conference titles in 2011 and 2012...From the same high school that produced FIU brothers Luke and Sam Medlock…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Jacksonville.
 
Turner on Burgess – He is a very good athlete. He is one of those long athletes that is going to be a good player for us. He will continue to develop physically and he has a great future.
 
Mac Carey – 6-2/245 · TE ·  Tallahassee, Fla. · Leon HS
Selected to play in the National Underclassman (NUC) All-South Classic All-Star Game…Named an All-Big Bend Honorable Mention selection following senior season…Recipient of the Leon HS Gene Cox Memorial Award…Ran a 4.51 forty at the US Army All-American Combine…Also plays basketball for Leon High School.
 
Turner on Carey – He is a very versatile and physical player. He can block as an in-line tight end and can also flex out. He can catch the ball or be a receiver, one of the things we like to do with our tight ends.
 
Olin Cushion III – 5-9/175 · CB ·  Miami, Fla. · Miami Central HS
Class 6A First-Team All-State selection…Named First-Team All-Dade County…Had 78 tackles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries for Miami Central to guide the Rockets to a 12-1 record during his senior season…Registered an interception which led to a touchdown in the 2014 Class 6A state championship…Led the Rockets to their third-straight state title…As a junior led Miami-Dade County in interceptions with nine...Class 6A Third-Team All-State selection as a junior as well as Second-Team All-Miami Dade County selection while helping Central win the 6A state championship…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Cushion III – He is a very physical, tenacious, instinctive safety. He has tremendous athleticism and is aggressive versus the run. He comes from winning program and knows how to win.
 
Deion Eakins – 6-3/322 · OG ·  Jacksonville, Fla. · Trinity Christian Academy  
Helped Trinity Christian win its second-straight Class 3A state title and fifth in school history in 2014...Followed that with a 35-21 win versus Eastside Catholic (Wash.), putting up 331 rushing yards in the Burger King Bowl series game…Three-year starter…Named Third-Team All-First Coast…Selected for USA U19 team…Will play in International Bowl against Canada on Feb. 7.
 
Turner on Eakins – He a very talented player and a great athlete. He comes from one of the best programs in the state year in and year out. He is a winner.
 
Jestin Green – 6-0/175 · CB ·  St. Petersburg, Fla. · Admiral Farragut Academy
A three-year letterwinner at Admiral Farragut Academy…Was named to the 2015 Pinellas County North South All-Star Game…Had a pair of touchdown receptions and returned a kickoff 70 yards for a score in a 48-7 rout of Lake Highland Prep…Also played defensive back for the BlueJackets, picking off two passes in a 35-7 win over Moore Haven…Runs a 4.49 forty…Was BlueJacket teammate with current FIU running back Napoleon Maxwell…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.
 
Turner on Green– He is a very versatile athlete. He is tall and rangy. He can play corner, he could play safety and he could play wide receiver.
 
R.J. Harris – 6-2/263 · DL ·  Tallahassee, Fla. · North Florida Christian
Class 2A First-Team All-State selection as a defensive lineman as a senior…First-Team All-Big Bend…First-Team FACA…Team captain…The Orlando Sentinel ranked him as the Panhandle area's overall No. 12 player in their "Sentinel Central Florida Super 60" list …Played on both sides of the ball for the North Florida Christian Eagles…Registered 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks during his senior year… Class 2A Honorable Mention All-State selection as a defensive lineman as a junior.
 
Turner on Harris – He is a good, physical interior defensive lineman. He has exceptional quickness and has very good hands.
 
Mark Hutchinson – 6-0/190 · WR ·  Zephyrhills, Fla. · Wiregrass Ranch HS
Had 36 catches for 625 yards and five touchdowns last season… Also had 251 yards in kickoff returns…Earned Second-Team All-Pasco County...Big County Preps ranks him as the top prospect at receiver from the Pasco County area…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.
 
Turner on Hutchinson – He is a strong athlete and has strong hands. He competes hard and runs hard. I just loved the way he competes and his toughness.
 
Tyree Johnson – 5-9/165 · DB ·  Miami Gardens, Fla. · Miami Carol City
Led Dade County with four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles, also had a fumble return for a touchdown…Had 61 tackles, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, nine tackles for loss and two sacks in senior season…MVP of South Florida High School All-Star Game…Had 41 tackles, six sacks, one kick return for a TD, and five forced fumbles as a junior at Carol City…Ran a 4.43, 40-yard dash…Earned best defensive back honor on his team, led Carol City in turnovers.
 
Turner on Johnson – He's a physical, tough player. He's a good corner that could play safety. He has good quickness and competes well.
 
Anthony Jones – 5-11/190 · WR ·  Miami, Fla. · Miami Central
Was a 6A all-state first team member in 2014…Named First-Team All-Dade County…Caught 32 passes for 419 yards and three touchdowns last season…Rushed for 1,007 yards and 23 touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards-per-carry…An excellent return man, averaging over 32 yards-per-kick return. Jones also threw one pass and completed it for 18 yards…Helped the Rockets claim the 2014 6A state title…Finished that game with 199 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns as Central (14-1) won its third-consecutive state title.
 
Turner on Jones – He's talented, very explosive and quick. He is good with the ball in his hands and an exciting player to watch. Having played for a successful program, he will bring a winning attitude to our program.
 
Milord Juste – 6-0/246 · DE/LB ·  Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. · Palm Beach Gardens HS
First-Team All-Area, First-Team All-County, All-Conference, and also Class 8A Second-Team All-State player following senior year…Collected 21.5 sacks in junior year...Named Class 8A Third Team in 2013…The Sun Sentinel ranked Juste as Palm Beach County's No. 31 overall rated player on their "Mega Board"…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Juste – We had him in camp and the one thing I said about this kid was that nobody could block him. He is exceptionally quick. He has great hands. I never saw him get blocked on film.
 
Sage Lewis – 6-1/228 · LB ·  Opa-Locka, Fla. · Monsignor Pace HS
Class 4A First-Team All-State player in 2014…Named First-Team All-Dade County…Finished the 2014 season with the Spartans, registering 105 tackles and eight sacks…Had more than 100 tackles for his second-consecutive season…Recorded 125 tackles during his junior season at Monsignor Pace…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Lewis – He reminds me of Anthony Wint as a player and demeanor. He is a very serious and focused guy who is a winner. He is physical and can run.
 
Emmanuel Lubin – 6-1/185 · CB ·  Miami, Fla. · North Miami Beach HS
Named Second-Team All-Dade County…Took part in the Miami-Dade All-Star Game, playing for the North…Played both cornerback and wide receiver for the North Miami Beach Chargers…As a receiver, he was North Miami Beach's leading receiver with 30 catches for 256 yards, while also rushing for 63 yards…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Lubin – He has great size. He is a long corner. He is versatile and can play man-to-man and zone. He could possibly play safety. He is an outstanding corner though.
 
Austin Maloney – 5-11/185 · WR ·  Miami, Fla. · Christopher Columbus HS
Class 8A Third-Team All-State…Named First-Team All-Dade County… Took part in the Miami-Dade All-Star Game, playing for the South…Led all high school receivers from Miami-Dade and Broward in receptions (59) and yards (939) and grabbed 11 touchdowns…Helped Columbus (13-2) finish with the highest win total in school history and first state finals appearance since 1982 (third overall)…Had eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Class 8A State Championship versus Apopka…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on Maloney – He has great instincts and a great feel for the game. He has a tremendous work ethic. He also has outstanding hands. He is a winner that comes from a winning program.
 
Neal Mars – 6-3/270 · OG/C ·  Orange Park, Fla. · Fleming Island HS
A four-year letterwinner at Fleming Island High School…Earned Second-Team All-First Coast honors for his play in 2014…A three-year starter for Fleming Island…First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-County as a senior…A 2013 All-First Coast Honorable Mention selection at offensive line…Named Jacksonville Times Union First Coast Honorable Mention in 2013…Also earned all-conference honorable mention honors that same year…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Jacksonville.
 
Turner on Mars– He is a smart, physical player. He could play several positions if we needed him to. He's great with techniques and very physical and tenacious.
 
Irick McDonald – 6-3/222 · DE ·  Hialeah, Fla · Champagnat Catholic - Hialeah
Named Honorable Mention All-Dade County selection…Took part in the Miami-Dade All-Star Game, playing for the North…Had 64 tackles with four sacks during his senior season at Champagnat… As a junior, had 63 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, with 9 sacks for Class 2A State Champions, Champagnat Catholic…In 2012, collected 42 tackles, nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss...Earned All-Dade County Honorable Mention as well as First-Team all-district honors that season…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.
 
Turner on McDonald – He is an explosive defensive end that is quick off the ball. He is also an outstanding pass rusher with good upside as far as growth potential.
 
Collin Olsen – 6-0/223 · RB ·  Port Orange, Fla. · Spruce Creek HS
Four-year letterwinner at Spruce Creek High School…Can play fullback, halfback and tight end…The Orlando Sentinel ranked him as the Central Florida area's overall #44 player in their "Sentinel Central Florida Super 60" list …Ran for 804 yards and four touchdowns as a junior…Rushed for nearly 600 yards during his sophomore season and 500 yards as a freshman.
 
Turner on Olsen – He is a versatile running back. He could be a running back/full back. He can do either one so that gives us a little flexibility there. He has great hands out of the back field.
 
 
 
 
Fermin Silva – 6-1/215 · DL ·  Miami, Fla. · Miami Central
Played on the defensive line at Miami Central that won its third-consecutive state title in 2014…Recorded a career-high 73 tackles last season for the Rockets…Forced one fumble and recovered two more…Also intercepted a pass en route to helping Central to the state championship…Was part of a Central defense that allowed just 7.9 points per game in 2014…After a junior season in which he made 47 tackles and 15 sacks, was named to the All-Dade Football 6A-8A First Team.
 
Turner on Silva – He is a guy who's a good athlete and comes with a winning mentality. He's quick off the ball and explosive. He uses his hands well and has a good knack for rushing the quarterback.
 
Julian Williams – 5-11/180 · WR ·  Suwanee, Ga. · Georgia Military College/Collins Hill HS
Led Georgia Military College in receptions (37) during the 2014 season, scoring four touchdowns and registering 498 yards receiving… Also rushed for 93 yards and one touchdown…Was a three-year letterwinner at Collins Hill HS.
 
Turner on Williams – He has excellent speed, quickness and toughness. He is a big play receiver who can make exceptional yardage after a catch.
 
#####
 
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.
 
#####


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/.