MIAMI (Dec. 19, 2018) – Head Coach Butch Davis and FIU football announced the addition of 12 student-athletes to the 2019 early signing class on Wednesday, solidifying the future of the program and completing phase one of the recruiting process for the Panthers.

For a complete list of signee bios, click here.
 
"I am very happy with phase one of this recruiting process," Davis said. "This year is different than our previous classes because we are very specific about the players we are going after. We have players committed to visits in January that we feel will fill out phase two of the recruiting class. I'm very proud of our players, staff and academic people for the hard work they have put in to help build this class."
 
The class features seven players from the state of Florida, with hometown product and electric Miami Central running back Lexington "Flex" Joseph staying in the 305. FIU also received five additional commitments from outside of the Sunshine State, with signees from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. Quarterback and Mr. Football for the state of Tennessee Stone Norton, along with Ohio native Joseph Hocker highlight the non-Florida resident commitments.
 
The December class leans toward the offensive side of the ball primarily, with seven signees on offense, four on defense and one specialist.
 
Signing day for FIU was especially unique this year, as the team is currently in the Bahamas as they prepare for the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. FIU faces Toledo in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday, Dec. 21 at 12:30 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here. 

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2019 Early Signing Class
1. Ni'Kendrick Carter | LB/RB | 6-2, 230 | Many, La. (Many HS)
2. Ty Danzy | DE | 6-5, 235 | Anderson, S.C. (Westside HS)
3. Deshaun Davis | S | 6-1, 190 | Jacksonville, Fla. (Lee HS) 
4. Logan Gunderson | OL | 6-5, 318 | Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian/ASA College)
5. Tommy Heatherly | K/P | 5-11, 210 | Grove, Okla. (Grove HS/ NE Okla. A&M)
6. Joseph Hocker | TE | 6-5, 245 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Deer Park HS)
7. Nate Jefferson | ATH/WR | 5-11, 170 | Longwood, Fla. (Lyman HS)
8. Lexington "Flex" Joseph | RB | 5-9, 185 | Miami, Florida (Miami Central HS)
9. Kris Mitchell | WR | 6-1, 175 | Jacksonville, Florida (Mandarin HS)
10. Stone Norton | QB | 6-3, 200 | Nashville, Tennessee (Davidson Academy)
11. Julius Pierce | OL | 6-5, 265 | Sanford, Florida (Seminole HS)
12. Nate White | DE | 6-4, 220, DE | Orlando, Florida (Edgewater HS)

2019 Early Signing Class Bios

Ni'Kendrick Carter
6-2, 230, LB/RB
Many, Louisiana (Many HS)
 
Scouting Carter: Ni'Kendrick comes from a successful high school program that has a winning pedigree. He is an extremely athletic player, who also has experience at linebacker and running back which the FIU coaching staff loves. The Many, Louisiana native is touted as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Ty Danzy
6-5, 235, DE
Anderson, South Carolina (Westside HS)
 
Scouting Danzy: Ty is known as a great player coming out of the state of South Carolina. He's a very versatile defensive player, with a knack for rushing the passer and playing in space. Ty is also an explosive player that is a sure tackler on defense.
 
Deshaun Davis
6-1, 190, S
Jacksonville, Florida (Lee HS)
 
Scouting Davis: Following an impressive workout by the defensive back, Deshaun caught the attention of the FIU coaching staff at one of the Butch Davis Football Camps back in the summer. He's strong and physical but can also play the pass. He can also cover in down and distance as well. Davis recorded 80-plus tackles, while earning 17 pass break ups in the secondary and forcing four fumbles as a senior. The Jacksonville, Florida native is rated as a two-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Logan Gunderson
6-5, 318, OL
Jacksonville, Florida (Trinity Christian HS/ASA College)
 
Scouting Gunderson: Logan decided to continue his football career in Miami, after receiving several Power-5 offers during the recruiting period. He is the epitome of grit, showing a strength for toughness in the interior. His great relationship with Coach Allen Mogridge will only accelerate his development at the next level. Gunderson will be a mid-year enrollee at FIU and is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Tommy Heatherly
5-11, 210, K/P
Grove, Oklahoma (Grove HS/NE Oklahoma A&M)
 
Scouting Heatherly: Tommy is known to have a strong leg, with the ability to flip the field in the punt game. He can kick in all three phases of the kicking game, with his ability giving him a chance to compete right away for the top special team's units in the conference. Heatherly was a consensus All-American coming out of NE Oklahoma A&M.
 
Joseph Hocker
6-6, 235, TE
Cincinnati, Ohio (Deer Park HS)
 
Scouting Hocker: Joseph is a multi-sport athlete, excelling at both basketball and football during his prep career. He led his basketball team to a state title as a junior, after earning a double-double in the championship game. Hocker has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning at Deer Park High School to further demonstrate his athletic abilities. He's a dynamic tight end whose potential compares to the likes of Eric Ebron, who Coach Davis recruited at North Carolina. The Cincinnati, Ohio native is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Nate Jefferson
5-11, 170, ATH/WR
Longwood, Florida (Lyman HS)
 
Scouting Jefferson: The FIU coaching staff compares Nate's size and play to current Panther Maurice Alexander. He's an explosive player, who has speed and excels in the return game. He can score from anywhere on the field and will have packages developed around his strengths at FIU. The Longwood, Florida native is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports. 
 
Lexington "Flex" Joseph
5-9, 185, RB
Miami, Florida (Miami Central HS)
 
Scouting Joseph: Flex plays much bigger than his size, being one of the most productive running backs in South Florida. He's a do-it-all kind of player that can take it the distance from any spot on the field. He played against arguably one of the toughest divisions in the nation at Miami Central. Joseph is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.

Kris Mitchell
6-1, 175, WR
Jacksonville, Florida (Mandarin HS)
 
Scouting Mitchell: Kris helped resurrect Mandarin High School from a 2-8 record in 2017 to a state title in 2018. He's a true 4.4 guy with size and his play only got better as his senior season progressed at Mandarin HS. The Jacksonville, Florida native is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Stone Norton
6-3, 200, QB
Nashville, Tennessee (Davidson Academy)
 
Scouting Norton: Under the tutelage of Davidson Academy head coach Jonathan Quinn, Stone became one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the state of Tennessee. He is arguably one of the best recruits of the class, and has shown that he is a proven winner and leader. His ability to throw the ball blew away the FIU coaching staff during camp as he showed why he was named Mr. Football for the state of Tennessee. Norton led Davidson Academy to a state title as a senior, where he shined by throwing for 377 yards and four touchdowns in the championship game. Overall, Norton completed 141 of his 201 attempts as a senior, while throwing for 2,704 yards and 34 touchdowns. The Nashville, Tennessee native is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Julius Pierce
6-5, 265, OL
Sanford, Florida (Seminole HS)
 
Scouting Pierce: Julius' athleticism allows him to make a switch from tight end to offensive line at FIU. He comes from a successful football program in Seminole High School, so winning is engraved into his DNA. Pierce is a very smart player that can transition to any position on the field and his development under Coach Allen Mogridge will help him become a great player at FIU.
 
Nate White
6-5, 220, DE
Orlando, Florida (Edgewater HS)
 
Scouting White: Nate comes to FIU with an unbelievable story, having fought through adversity his entire life. His motor on film is what caught the attention of the FIU coaching staff. White's ability on the defensive line allows him to develop into one of the best potential pass rushers in the C-USA. He has a demeanor to excel at the collegiate level and is an intelligent player who will make an impact at FIU. The Orlando, Florida native is rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.