Five things to know as FIU football gets ready for Spring Showcase scrimmage Saturday

With FIU’s annual Spring Showcase football scrimmage set for Saturday, it’s a good time to take a look at the program.

After an interview with FIU offensive coordinator David Yost, here are some nuggets on the Panthers’ receivers, running backs and tight ends:

1. MITCHELL IS THE MAN

Yost said Kris Mitchell has “matured into that dominant, No. 1” receiver, similar to what Tyrese Chambers had been before he transferred to the University of Maryland.

In the past two years for FIU, Chambers had 96 catches for 1,618 yards and 13 TDs, and that type of production will be tough to duplicate.

Mitchell last year had 23 catches for 348 yards and a 15.1 average. Jalen Bracey is the leading returning receiver in terms of catches (39), but he averaged just 7.5 yards.

Other receivers at the top of depth chart as mentioned by Yost are Jacolby Hewitt (four catches last year), Dean Patterson (17 catches), Ross Fournet (nine), and Artez Hooker (nine).

2. WALK-ON SUCCESS STORY

A surprise receiver to watch is Eric Rivers, who was on the Memphis Tigers roster last year but was injured.

This spring, Rivers – a 5-11, 170-pound walk-on – has impressed.

“I don’t think he will be a walk-on for long,” Yost said.

Rivers, who started his college career as a defensive back, has great upside, and FIU coach Mike MacIntyre’s Tennessee roots surely helped bring him here.

Yost also praised redshirt freshman receiver Mike Jackson, calling him “fast and explosive.”

3. SHOWTIME SHOMARI

FIU running back Shomari Lawrence, who transferred in from the University of South Dakota after playing his prep career at Pompano Beach Ely, has had a productive camp.

For now, it looks like Lexington “Flex” Joseph and Lawrence are FIU’s 1-2 RB punch.

“Flex is guy we lean on,” Yost said. “But Shomari has popped.

“Shomari is a great addition. He’s thick, probably 5-11 and 215 pounds. We knew he was dynamic off the film, but, in person he is even better and more explosive. He catches the ball well, and he is niftier than you would think. He makes guys miss.”

4. BACK OF THE FUTURE

Antonio Patterson, a redshirt freshman running back, is another Tennessee product.

Yost said there had been discussions among FIU coaches regarding Patterson playing wide receiver, safety or cornerback.

But, after getting into some bad habits on the scout team – such as running too high – Patterson appeared to turn a corner this spring at running back.

“We were running situational stuff, pinned back at our one-yard line,” Yost said of a recent practice. “Patterson hit the safety square at the five-yard line, ran him over and got to the 11.”

After every practice, MacIntyre gives out crunch bars to each FIU payer who has a highly physical play. Patterson earned a crunch bar for that crunching play.

5. MORE TIGHT ENDS

Despite losing Rivaldo Fairweather to transfer, Yost said he is now using more sets with two tight ends.

Fairweather, who is now at Auburn, led FIU’s tight ends last year in catches (28) and average (15.2). Josiah Miamen was FIU’s second tight end last year, making 27 catches. But he was much less explosive (9.0 average).

Yost, though, said Miamen was “underutilized” in last year’s passing game. This spring, Miamen is at the top of the depth chart, and he has been steady.

Jackson McDonald (two catches last year) is now the second tight end, and Louisville transfer Christian Pedersen is running with the third team.