MIAMI (April 30, 2020) - This week we preview FIU's tight ends as we look ahead to the upcoming season. 

POSITION BREAKDOWN
Position: Tight Ends
Position Coach: Drew Davis
Key Returner: Sterling Palmer

PLAYER TO WATCH
Sterling Palmer has played in all 26 games as a Panther since stepping on campus in 2018. The Midlothian, Virginia native has hauled in nearly 50 catches and 500 yards in the passing game, while finding the endzone twice. Palmer was named to the ESPN All-Bowl Team after leading the Panthers to victory against Toledo in the 2018 Bahamas Bowl. 

QUOTES FROM PALMER
Palmer on Goals for 2020: "From a personal standpoint, I want to be the best tight end in this entire conference. From a team standpoint, we want to go undefeated, win the C-USA Championship and earn a January Bowl game."

Palmer on TE Culture at FIU: "The tight end room has a close bond. We all come from different areas and states, so it's unique to see how we mesh together. The TE room is one of the youngest position groups on the team. Being the young pups of the team, you have to grow up fast and earn the respect amongst your peers."

Palmer on Coach Drew Davis: "Coach Drew is very energetic and passionate about what he does. I have never seen anyone with a love and respect for the game as much as him. He is very intelligent about the offense and breaking down what we have to do in order to be successful. All he wants for us is to see us succeed both on and off the field and wants to see us to develop as men. Coach Drew doesn't sugarcoat anything and is straightforward, which is what you want from an individual. He has done great things for this program and I'm excited to see his young coaching career progress into something great."

QUOTES FROM COACH DREW DAVIS
Davis on Goals for 2020: "Our goal overall in 2020 is to win. From a tight end position, we want to be a consistent and dominant unit that helps this team and offense win at all costs."

Davis on Sterling Palmer: "Sterling is a gifted athlete whose length provides a mismatch for opposing defenses. He's a student of the game and truly comes to work every day with a desire and will to improve. I think it's important for someone to have the physical and overall attributes like Sterling does, but what are you going to do with those that will separate you from the rest?"

Davis on Returnees: "I think Sterling Palmer, Kamareon Williams and David O'Meara have fed off each other. Outside of football they're all friends, so everybody is on the same page and on the same team. When those kids came in, they all offered different strengths for what they provided to the team. Now going forward, it's about refining those skills and trying to make them the best players they can be, because we're trying to get multiple guys on the field at the same time."

Davis on Newcomers: "Joe Hocker and Rivaldo Fairweather are both extremely athletic guys. They'll have a chance to learn and compete this season and we expect them to take roles on special teams as well. Joe is somebody that I am excited to be able to see where he's at after rehabbing his injury last year. Now that he's 100% he's done an amazing job at grasping the offense and doing the things he needs to do."

Impact of Jonnu Smith to Current Players: "He's the best form of motivation for our guys. I truly believe that those kids respond well to seeing someone who is not that far removed from their situation and is able to do the things that they aspire and dream to do. Any chance you get to bring a guy like Jonnu Smith and have him share his knowledge with our kids its an unbelievable opportunity, because what he has seen and has gone through is everything those kids are nearing and about to go through. He was so gracious with his time and he's a burning motivator for the guys in our tight end room."

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.