Biography
2016 (Senior): An All-C-USA Honorable Mention selection...Named game captain versus Maryland (9/9)...Started in all 12 games on an offensive line that helped produce 4,503 yards of total offense (No. 4 all-time for yards in a season at FIU)...The Panthers rushed for 1,783 yards (third-most in school history) and produced 2,720 yards through the air...Blocked for the school’s all-time leading rusher (Alex Gardner – 2,272 yards) and FIU’s all-time leader in touchdown passes (Alex McGough – 48); both marks set in 2016...FIU’s offense gained over 200 yards on the ground five times, including a 270-yard performance versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 1), while gaining over 500 yards of total offense twice...Led an offensive line that gained 516 yards of total offensive versus Marshall (11/19)...The Panthers rushed for 259 yards (eighth-most in school history) versus the Thundering Herd...Helped FIU gain 517 total yards, the ninth most in school history, against Middle Tennessee (10/29)...Helped the Panthers gain 499 total yards, including 258 yards on the ground at UTEP (10/8)...Helped the FIU running game rush for a season-high 270 yards on 49 carries against FAU (10/1) in Shula Bowl XV...Earned the start in the season-opener versus Indiana (9/1)...Helped the Panthers rack up 268 yards through the air against the Hoosiers.
2015 (Junior): Part of an offensive line that gained 4,173 yards (fifth-most in school history), including 2,854 through the air (second-most in school history)...Helped FIU record a school-record 22 TD passes and 15 rushing TDs (sixth-most in school history)...FIU’s o-line helped the Panthers gain over 400 yards of total offense six times...Aided FIU in scoring multiple TDs on offense in 10 of the team’s 12 games...Helped FIU record 439 yards of total offense (284 through the air), while allowing no sacks versus Charlotte (11/7)...FIU amassed 448 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, including 390 yards through the air versus Old Dominion (10/24) in seventh appearance of the season...Helped FIU produced 518 yards to total offense (seventh-most in school history) with 150 yards on the ground and 368 yards through the air versus UTEP (10/10)...Part of an o-line that helped FIU gain 490 yards of total offense , including 242 yards on the ground versus N.C. Central (9/19)...Helped the Panthers’ offense rack up 406 yards of total offense versus the Hoosiers, including 283 yards through the air...Started for an offensive line that helped the Panthers register 131 yards on the ground and 260 through the air at UCF (9/3)...Allowed no sacks in the game as FIU’s offense totaled 391 yards on 69 total plays versus the Knights.
2014 (Sophomore): Appeared in all 12 games for the Panthers at left tackle, starting 10...Has made eight-straight starts...Helped FIU record 1,502 net rushing yards (4th-most in school history)…Led FIU’s offense to 125.5 net yards-per-game (5th-best average all-time at FIU)…FIU’s offense finished with 11 rushing touchdowns (10th-most in school history)…Was part of an offensive line the helped FIU gain 350 yards-or-more of total offense four times...Helped the Panthers gain 144 yards on the ground and 231 through the air as FIU scored four offensive touchdowns versus Middle Tennessee (11/15)...Anchored a line that produced 256 yards on the ground (seventh-most in FIU history) at Old Dominion (11/8)...FIU’s offense recorded a season-high of 388 yards of total offense versus the Monarchs...Helped FIU tie a school record for rushing touchdowns (4) versus Florida Atlantic (10/2)...The Panthers’ offense produced a season-high 236 yards though the air versus Pittsburgh (9/13), including two passing touchdowns...Controlled the line of scrimmage as FIU amassed 377 yards of total offense (148 rush, 229 pass) versus Wagner (9/6).
2013 (Redshirt Freshman): Moved to the offensive side of the ball during the spring, lining up at offensive tackle…appeared in six games, including at Maryland (8/31), vs. UCF (9/6), at Louisville (9/21), at Southern Miss (10/5), vs. Marshall (11/23) and at FAU (11/29).
2012 (Freshman): Redshirted the 2012 season.
Freedom: Committed to FIU on Dec. 11, 2011...coached by Andy Johnson...also played basketball, where he was the team defensive player of the year as a senior.
Personal: Parent - Verilia Similieh...siblings - Carlos, Kathy, Josue and Dieuna...brother, Josue, plays for Bethune-Cookman...sister, Kathy, also attends B-CU…born March 21, 1994...Majoring in recreation and sports management...began playing football as a freshman in high school (age 15).
