MIAMI – Three former FIU Panthers will begin the 2022 NFL season on active rosters when play kicks off this week.
 
Former Panthers representing FIU on NFL opening week rosters are Jonnu Smith (New England), Stantley Thomas-Oliver (Carolina) and Teair Tart (Tennessee).
 
Smith (TE/New England) is entering his sixth NFL season and his second with the Patriots.  He snagged 28 passes for a total of 294 yards and a touchdown in 2021. He has totaled over 140 catches for nearly 1,600 yards through his initial four professional seasons. 
 
Smith was drafted by Tennessee in the third round (100th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, before signing as an unrestricted free agent with New England in 2021.
 
Tart (DT/Tennessee) is entering his third season with the Titans. He started 10 games in 2021 while appearing in 11 overall. Tennessee Titans signed Tart as a rookie free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. 
 
Tart has appeared in 21 games in his career and recorded 21 tackles.
 
Thomas-Oliver III (CB/Carolina) begins his third season with the Panthers.  He has appeared in 22 games over the previous two seasons.  Thomas-Oliver III was drafted in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft by Carolina.
 
In addition, three other players have inked deals to secure places on NFL practice squads including, Ike Brown (Raiders), D'Vonte Price (Colts) and Maurice Alexander (Lions).
 
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.