MIAMI (Feb. 6, 2019) – Head Coach Butch Davis and FIU football closed out the 2019 signing class on Wednesday, as the Panther coaching staff put the finishing touches on #TheHunt19.

For the complete list of the entire #TheHunt19 signing class, click here.
 
The Panthers held a special "National Signing Day Celebration Show" at the Graham Center on Wednesday afternoon, with a guest appearance from the Bahamas Bowl trophy. For fans who missed out on the show, click here to watch a replay.
 
A total of six prospects inked their names with the Panthers on Wednesday, joining an already impressive mid-year enrollee and early signing period group. 
 
The six players will fill needs for a Panther football club that is coming off a program-best, nine-win season in 2018. The group is made up of five players from the Sunshine State and one from Texas, while being composed of a wide-range of positions.
 
Headlining Wednesday's group is the three-star trio of Brian Dillard (DB), Sione Finau (OL) and Kendre' Gant (ATH), with versatile trifecta of Nasir Carter (LB), Shamar Hobdy-Lee (OL) and Kamareon Williams (ATH) capping the six-man sextet.
 
Dillard and Gant are both explosive players with the ability to play on both sides of the ball. Dillard was named the 6A Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association, while Gant has the potential skill set of current San Diego Charger Derwin James. Finau, whose family hails from Tonga, ranks as one of the top offensive linemen from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
 
FIU received four mid-year enrollees in January, with transfers Alexy Jean-Baptiste (Arkansas), Logan Gunderson (ASA Miami), Josh Turner (Iowa) and Maleek Williams (Arkansas) joining the Panther roster at the beginning of the spring semester.
 
Along with the spring prospects, FIU had 11 players commit during the early signing period in December. Hometown product and electric Miami Central running back Lexington "Flex" Joseph highlights the class, with Mr. Football for the state of Tennessee Stone Norton giving a bright outlook for the quarterback position post-James Morgan.
 
Entering its 18th year of football in 2019, the FIU Panthers are coming off a program-best nine wins a season ago. FIU capped 2018 with a 35-32 victory over Toledo in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl to finish the season 9-4 overall. Under legendary head coach Butch Davis, the Panthers have earned back-to-back bowl appearances and 17 wins in the last two years.

The 2019 football schedule was released last month, with the Panthers set to host seven games. Season tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at tickets.fiusports.com or by phone at 305-FIU-GAME.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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Early Signing Period Signees
1. Ni'Kendrick Carter | LB/RB | 6-2, 230 | Many, Louisiana (Many HS)
2. Ty Danzy | DE | 6-5, 235 | Anderson, South Carolina (Westside HS)
3. Deshaun Davis | S | 6-1, 190 | Jacksonville, Florida (Lee HS) 
4. Tommy Heatherly | K/P | 5-11, 210 | Grove, Oklahoma (Grove HS/ NE Okla. A&M)
5. Joseph Hocker | TE | 6-5, 245 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Deer Park HS)
6. Nate Jefferson | ATH/WR | 5-11, 170 | Longwood, Florida (Lyman HS)
7. Lexington "Flex" Joseph | RB | 5-9, 185 | Miami, Florida (Miami Central HS)
8. Kris Mitchell | WR | 6-1, 175 | Jacksonville, Florida (Mandarin HS)
9. Stone Norton | QB | 6-3, 200 | Nashville, Tennessee (Davidson Academy)
10. Julius Pierce | OL | 6-5, 265 | Sanford, Florida (Seminole HS)
11. Nate White | DE | 6-4, 220, DE | Orlando, Florida (Edgewater HS)
 
Mid-Year Enrollees
12. Logan Gunderson | OL | 6-5, 318 | Jacksonville, Florida (Trinity Christian/ASA College)
13. Alexy Jean-Baptiste | LB/DE | 6-3, 245 | Pompano Beach, Florida (Coconut Creek HS/Arkansas)
14. Josh Turner | DB | 6-0, 188 | Delray Beach, Florida (American Heritage/Iowa)
15. Maleek Williams | RB | 5-11, 223 | Punta Gorda, Florida (Charlotte HS/Arkansas)
 
Spring Signees 
16. Nasir "Nas" Carter | LB | 6-2, 220 | Orlando, Florida (West Orange HS)
17. Brian Dillard | DB | 6-2, 190 | Ocala, Florida (Lake Weir HS)
18. Sione Finau | OG | 6-3, 300 | Keller, Texas (Central HS)
19. Kendre' Gant | ATH | 6-3, 200 | Port Saint Joe, Florida (Point St. Joe HS)
20. Shamar Hobdy-Lee | OT | 6-5, 290 | Tampa, Florida (Jefferson HS)
21. Kamareon Williams | ATH | 6-3, 240 | Delray Beach, Florida (Atlantic HS)
 

Spring Signee Bios

Nasir Carter
6-2, 220, LB
Orlando, Florida (West Orange HS)
 
Scouting Carter: Voted a team captain by his peers at West Orange High School in Orlando, Nasir 'Nas" Carter comes to FIU after turning down multiple Power-5 offers. Carter garnered Second Team All-Central honors after collecting 96 tackles as a senior and ranked as the 34^th best player in the "Super 60" by the Orlando Sentinel. Carter is known for having a high IQ on the field, while playing well in space and having great closing ability to the ball.
 
Brian Dillard
6-2, 190, DB
Ocala, Florida (Lake Weir HS)
 
Scouting Dillard: Brian Dillard comes to FIU by the way of Ocala, Florida, which produced Panther great and current Tennessee Titan, Jonnu Smith. Dillard played multiple positions at Lake Weir High School, going out at wide receiver, safety and corner back to name a few. Dillard was named the 6A Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association, after collecting 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three interceptions, five forced fumbles and scoring three touchdowns on defense as a senior. Dillard also earned 55 receptions, 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. The athletic player is a long, rangy player with explosive speed, who loves contact and has a knack for making plays on both sides of the ball. Dillard was rated as a three-star recruit by 24/7 sports.
 
Sione Finau
6-3, 300, OG
Keller, Texas (Central HS)
 
Scouting Finau: Sione Finau travels from the Lone Star State to South Beach, with his parents hailing from the island nation of Tonga. Finau is one of the top offensive linemen coming out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is known as a physical player that will be able to play on the interior of the offensive line. He was also on the track and field squad in high school, competing as a thrower. Finau chose FIU over all three service academies (Air Force, Army and Navy) as well as Hawaii. Rated as a three-star prospect by 24/7 sports.
 
Kendre' Gant
6-3, 200, ATH
Port Saint Joe, Florida (Point St. Joe HS)
 
Scouting Gant: Kendre' Gant was a four-year starter at Port St. Joe High School in Port Saint Joe, Florida. He collected 47 catches for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, while leading his squad to an 11-1 record and a state semifinal appearance. Gant has the potential skill set of current San Diego Charger Derwin James. Was a former UCF commit. Rated a three-star prospect by 24/7 sports.
 
Shamar Hobdy- Lee
6-5, 290, OT
Tampa, Florida (Jefferson HS)
 
Scouting Hobdy-Lee: Shamar Hobdy-Lee comes to FIU by the way of Jefferson High School in Tampa, Florida where he started for three-straight seasons. Hobdy-Lee has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line and has a great mind for the game. The offensive lineman also possesses great footwork for his size. He chose FIU over multiple national contenders. Rated as a two-star prospect by 24/7 sports.
 
Kamareon Williams
6-3, 240, ATH
Delray Beach, Florida (Atlantic HS)

Scouting Williams: Kamareon Williams comes to FIU out of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Florida, which has produced Panther talent the likes of Thomas Owens, Jason Mercier and Cadarius Gaskin. He impressed the coaching staff over the summer while visiting the Butch Davis Football Camp, showing off his physical nature as a player maker. Williams helped his team to a 10-1 record as a senior, earning 20 catches for 295 yards and three scores as a wide receiver and tight end. He wore the No. 2 jersey in high school to honor his late teammate (Marc'Allan Derac) who passed away prior to his senior season at Atlantic HS. Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.