MIAMI (June 5, 2015) – On Thursday, June 4, ESPN.com complied a list of the best players in college football by the jersey number they wear numbers 1-99. Wearing No. 87, FIU junior Jonnu Smith made the list.
A panel of reporters covering every Power 5 conference nominated players for each number then voted on the best.
Smith, who was named a preseason First-Team All-Conference USA selection at tight end by Phil Steele, started in all 12 games for the Panthers. The Ocala, Fla., native led FIU with 710 yards on 61 catches and eight touchdowns. He led all tight ends nationally in touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions. This past season, Smith set the school record for tight ends in receiving yards, touchdowns and receptions. His eight receiving touchdowns broke the previous season-best of seven set by T.Y. Hilton (2008, 2011) and Cory McKinney (2002). His 710 yards ranks seventh all-time at FIU for a season and his 61 catches are tied for fourth. At UAB (Sept. 27), Smith registered the sixth-longest reception in school history (75 yards). He was an SI.com All-America Honroable Mention selection, a Mid-season All-American (CBSSports.com), a Mackey Tight End of the Week (Week 2) and was named to the John Mackey Watch List.
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The 2015 FIU football season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 3, when the Panthers travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights. FIU's home opener will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, as the Panthers host the N.C. Central Eagles.
FIU's 2015 schedule is highlighted with games against Boca Raton Bowl and 2014 C-USA champion Marshall, Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl champion Louisiana Tech, Popeyes Bahamas Bowl champion WKU, Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl participant UCF, and Gildan New Mexico Bowl participant UTEP. In addition, the Panthers will face Indiana, N.C. Central, UMass, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, Florida Atlantic and Charlotte.
FIU Football 2015 season ticket packages are currently available. Fans can purchase online at FIUSports.com or over the phone by calling (305) FIU-GAME.
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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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/.
