By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @PetePelegrin

When one gets a first look at FIU tight end Ya'Keem Griner's first name, one may be inclined to pronounce it as it looks: "Ya-Keem". Except that would be wrong. The correct pronunciation is not what it seems. Griner pronounces his first name: "Wa-Keem".

This season Griner's production on the football field is similar to the pronunciation of his first name. It's not what it seems -- at least from seasons past.

Most FIU opponents will tend to center their defensive attention on stalwart tight end Jonnu Smith and his lofty numbers. However, defenses are learning ignoring Griner is not wise.

"Ya'Keem's gotten better in everything: his run blocking, his pass blocking, his receiving," said FIU tight ends coach Jason Brooks. "I think a lot of times people see 87 [Smith] and take 80 [Griner] for granted. That's going to open up a lot of things not only for Ya'Keem but for the rest of the offense."

Through the first four games of the season Griner is second on the team with 18 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. With eight games left in the regular season and a possible bowl game, Griner's production this season is already halfway to his career numbers entering 2015: 32 catches for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

The senior's strong start has vaulted him to third all-time among FIU tight ends in career receptions and receiving yards trailing only Samuel Smith [133 rec., 1,383 yards] and Jonnu Smith [117 rec., 1,226 yards]. Griner is not near the numbers of the Smiths, who are not related, but he has steadily moved up the FIU record book with 50 career receptions and 550 yards and counting.

Opponents' double and triple coverage of Jonnu Smith is just one reason for Griner's breakthrough season. In the offseason Griner added 13 pounds of muscle to his 6-4 frame to currently weigh 243 pounds. The extra bulk has helped Griner be more explosive and outmuscle defenders.

Griner also remembered the feeling of his freshman season in 2011.

"I bought in more with [FIU football strength] coach [Chad] Smith and [FIU] coach [Ron] Turner with what they were saying and I went at it extra hard because I knew we had a promising season ahead of us," Griner said. "I'm more focused. I want to see this program succeed and win another championship like 2010 and go to a bowl game and win it. In my freshman year (2011) we went to a bowl game I want that again."

Despite not having the primary role of Jonnu Smith as the Panthers featured tight end, Griner has worked quietly behind the scenes guiding Smith whenever the junior tight end has needed help.

"Griner is a student of the game," Jonnu Smith said. "When I came in here he was the oldest tight end and he showed me the ropes. Even though I started ahead of him, he still took on a leadership role and I thank him for that. He has a strong voice on the team and people respect him."

So much so that Griner was named a team captain by Turner for this Saturday's game at UMass.

"He's gotten better in everything he's doing on the field and off the field: his work ethic, his accountability, being more vocal," Turner said.

Griner graduated this summer with a criminal justice degree and is currently minoring in public administration. Griner wants to reach the NFL next season but if that doesn't pan out then he plans on a career in law enforcement.

Griner has never asked his mother how she came up with his first name or why it's pronounced different from how it looks. However, Griner does like the uniqueness of the name Ya'Keem.

And if Griner keeps playing like he has in 2015, "Wa-Keem" will be heard a lot more in opposing defensive meetings.