MIAMI – Four members of the FIU football team have been named to the 2022 Conference USA All-Freshman Team, which was announced by league officials on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Highlighting the four selections are a pair of players from the defensive backfield in redshirt freshman Demetrius Hill and true freshman Hezekiah Masses.  Offensive lineman John Bock II and long snapper Jackson Lee, both true freshmen, were the final two Panthers honored with mention to the squad.
 
Hill compiled 95 tackles during his freshman campaign – which ranked ninth among Conference USA leaders (70^th nationally).  He started all 12 games this season at safety, while registering an interception, two pass breakups and forcing a team-high three fumbles.  Hill recorded double-figure tackles in four games this season, including a season-best 13 stops against Middle Tennessee (11/26/22).
 
Masses started six games at corner for the Panthers in 2022 and tallied 25 tackles, including 3.5 TFL's (-8).  He added four pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.  Masses also blocked an extra point in the season-opening victory over Bryant University.
 
Bock made 11 starts during his true freshman season at multiple positions, including center, on the Panthers' front five.  He was a key cog in FIU allowing the 34th-fewest sacks nationally in 2022.
 
Lee served as the team's long snapper in all 12 games during his freshman campaign.
 
2022 Conference USA All-Freshman Team
OFFENSE
RB: Kevorian Barnes, UTSA
RB: Marquis Crosby, LA Tech
WR: Cyrus Allen, LA Tech
WR: Ja'Mori Maclin, North Texas
WR: Tony Johnson, Florida Atlantic
TE: Var'Keyes Gumms, North Texas
OL: Febechi Nwaiwu, North Texas
OL: Ethan Onianwa, Rice
OL: Keylan Rutledge, Middle Tennessee
OL: Carson Bruno, LA Tech
OL: John Bock II, FIU
 
DEFENSE
DE: Trey Moore, UTSA
DT: Fatafehi Vailea, North Texas
DT: Tai Leonard, UTSA
DE: Cam Robertson, North Texas
LB: Jaylen Wester, Florida Atlantic
LB: Reid Williford, Charlotte
LB: Aaron Key, WKU
DB: Demetrius Hill, FIU
DB: Ilijah Johnson, UTEP
DB: Maguire Neal, Charlotte
DB: Hezekiah Masses, FIU
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Buck Buchanan, LA Tech
P: Tom Ellard, WKU
KR: Jayshon Platt, Florida Atlantic
LS: Jackson Lee, FIU
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers shift focus to the early national signing period - which is slated for Dec. 21-23, 2022.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Football season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office
 
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.