The transfer portal is doing transfer-portal things, as FIU Football will see a wide range of players simultaneously heading out and joining the program.
There are many, many discussions to be had about the transfer portal and how it operates, but there’s no doubt it almost completely determines how a roster will look and perform ahead of next season.
This seems to be the case for the Group of Six (CUSA, Sun Belt, American, MAC, Mountain West, New Pac-12) teams, with power-conference teams (SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12) using their increased funding and NIL to attract players with the potential to build championship-caliber teams.
We saw a good example of this with how Indiana was able to build most of their roster this past season, going on to win it all.
Welcome our 20 newest members to the Panther Family 🤝💯 pic.twitter.com/GSgMBtAPTK
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 18, 2026
That leaves FIU with a big objective – patch the holes left in the roster. There might be even more holes than normal for the Panthers with the extensive list of seniors who graduated as well. That’s where this transfer portal class comes in, with some solid names that the FIU faithful better keep an eye on.
Who’s Out?
QB – Keyone Jenkins (Transferred to UCF)
Arguably, the face of the program for the past few years is heading out. Jenkins was named the Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year ahead of this season. He recorded 742 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions as he battled through injuries towards the latter end of the season.
Welcome to UCF, @LyghtzO ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/hqJG8tv4af
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 20, 2026
QB – Christian Langford
Langford appeared in three games this past season – Florida Atlantic, Sam Houston, and the First Responder Bowl.
OL – Daniel Michel (Transferred to James Madison)
OL – Mykeal Rabess (Transferred to Cal)
OL – Jaheim Buchanon (Transferred to TCU)
Michel and Buchanon were two of the backbones of the position for the Panthers, having started in every game this past season. Rabess, meanwhile, made appearances in five games, including the First Responder Bowl.
TE – Dallas Payne
Payne was FIU’s main weapon at the tight end position. He recorded 27 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns.
WR – Alex Perry (Transferred to Illinois)
Perry turned out to be one of the biggest gets of the transfer portal for FIU. He led CUSA in nine receiving touchdowns, earning a Conference USA All-First Team selection.
#IlliniNation, let’s welcome FIU transfer WR Alex Perry to the #famILLy! 🔶🔷🏈 pic.twitter.com/yjWbP5rEZq
— UI Zone (@Recruit2Illini) January 9, 2026
WR – Semaj Demps
Demps hauled in six receptions for 53 yards in limited action for the Panthers despite playing in eight games.
DB – Victor Evans III (Transferred to Nebraska)
Evans had a solid season for FIU, posting 42 total tackles (34 solo) and an interception.
DB – Brian Blades II (Transferred to Wake Forest)
Blades was one of the most tenured members of the Panthers, spending five seasons in the 305. In 2025, he had 26 total tackles and an interception.
DB – Mister Clark (Transferred to Purdue)
This was a breakout season for Clark, who recorded 63 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, and three interceptions. He was named to First Team All-Conference USA for his efforts.
AGTG🙇🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/Lu5B3ZT4Sg
— Mister T. Clark (@0nly1mister) January 8, 2026
DB – Saddonie Gay (Transferred to Bethune-Cookman)
Gay appeared in seven games, though he was mainly utilized on special teams.
DB – Preston Thompson (Transferred to Bethune-Cookman)
Thompson was also a weapon primarily on special teams, playing in 11 games.
DB – Ashton Levells (Transferred to Eastern Carolina)
Levells provided stability at the position, playing in all 13 games this past season. He recorded 20 total tackles.
S – Jessiah McGrew (Transferred to Arizona State)
McGrew saw substantial playing time as a true freshman, starting the whole season. He posted 68 total tackles and four interceptions, earning a spot in the CUSA All-Freshman Team.
Jessiah McGrew has signed with the Arizona State Sun Devils. pic.twitter.com/GVFfTXzZ58
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) January 12, 2026
Shannon was another player who saw most of his action on special teams.
DL – Xion Chapman (Transferred to Minnesota)
Chapman was a solid addition from the portal for the Panthers. He played in 12 games, posting 15 total tackles and two sacks.
DL – Toddrick Brewton (Transferred to Rhode Island)
Brewton appeared in seven games this season, recording four total tackles.
DL – Aaron Armitage
Armitage was a transfer from Stanford, but didn’t have a chance to get on the field at all this season.
LB – Dwight Nunoo (Transferred to Akron)
Nunoo’s FIU career was riddled by limited playing time and injuries. 2024 looked to be promising for Nunoo with 13 total tackles, but he redshirted four games.
In 2025, Nunoo returned to the Panthers but suffered a season-ending concussion against UConn.
— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) January 17, 2026
LS – Trent Simms
Simms didn’t see any action on the field this season.
Who’s In?
QB – JJ Kohl (Transferred from Appalachian State)
Kohl was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He originally committed to Iowa State and spent two seasons with them. He actually visited FIU afterwards, but committed to Appalachian State this past season.
With the Mountaineers, he played in eight games with his first start in October. He completed 133 passes for 1,465 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
Expect Kohl to come in and immediately compete for the starting QB role for the Panthers.
Size, arm talent, football IQ — @JJKohl3 is the whole package with limitless potential 💯🔥
– Had 12 TDs/2 INTs in six starts in 2025
– Top-10 QB out of HS per ESPN pic.twitter.com/tMU8Xezad7— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 11, 2026
WR – Greg Gaines III (Transferred from Rhode Island)
Kohl will have a familiar face to throw the ball to, as Gaines was a former teammate of Kohl back at Iowa State in 2023. Gaines then transferred to FCS Rhode Island, hauling in 65 receptions for 1,018 yards and four touchdowns this past season.
TE – Kevin Schaeffer (Transferred from Rhode Island)
Gaines wasn’t the only weapon FIU is bringing over from the Rams. Schaeffer, who enters FIU with one year of eligibility left, recorded two receptions for 58 yards and a pair of scores.
TE – James Resar (Transferred from Independence CC)
Resar, a native of Fernandina Beach, began his collegiate journey as a quarterback for Iowa, though he didn’t see any action. However, when he transferred to Indy CC, he switched to tight end and is listed as such for FIU.
OL – Daveion Harley (Transferred from Cal)
Harley did not see any action with Cal last season, but before that, he spent a pair of seasons with Jacksonville State.
In 2024, Harley played in all 13 games for the Gamecocks and helped them achieve the second-best rushing attack in FBS. Primarily a center, Harley also spent some time as a guard, allowing two sacks in 826 plays.
OL – Spencer Webb (Transferred from Eastern Michigan)
Webb saw limited action at EMU last season, playing in three games. Before that, however, he played in 297 snaps with FCS North Carolina A&T.
OL – Manasseh Ripert (Transferred from Western Carolina)
Ripert had a breakout season with the FCS Catamounts this past season, playing in 11 games.
OL – Oscar Colon (Transferred from Presbyterian)
Colon was an efficient lineman with the FCS Blue Hose in 2025, starting in all 12 games and allowing just one sack.
CB – Lawrence Johnson (Transferred from Florida Atlantic)
Johnson has an interesting story. Originally an FIU Panther, he transferred to the Owls, but has since rejoined the 305. He played in eight games at FAU, with 10 total tackles and two pass deflections.
Bringing a lockdown DB back to the 305 🌴 @Lawrence7J pic.twitter.com/7yTTgChmj7
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 14, 2026
CB – Da’Vonte Floyd (Transferred from Duke)
Floyd played in 11 games in 2024, posting eight total tackles. However, he did not record any stats in 2025 in three games played.
CB – Ryan Gadson (Transferred from Lafayette)
Gadson had a solid season with the FCS Leopards, recording 67 total tackles and three interceptions in 2025. He returns to South Florida, being a native of Fort Myers.
S – Wesley Miller (Transferred from South Alabama)
Get ready to see quite a few pickups from South Alabama. Originally from Mississippi State, he posted 59 total tackles and an interception with the Jaguars this past season.
S – DeAndre Boykins (Transferred from Oklahoma State)
Boykins didn’t see much action with the Cowboys. However, he spent three seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels beforehand. In 2022, he recorded 67 total tackles, two sacks, an interception, and seven pass deflections.
Secured another lockdown corner 🔒❌
– 36 career games played and 14 starts
– Top-100 Player out of HS per Rivals pic.twitter.com/8PsOeLYwF0— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 13, 2026
LB – Brayshawn Littlejohn (Transferred from Appalachian State)
Littlejohn was serviceable for the Mountaineers, racking up 32 total tackles, two sacks, and two pass deflections.
LB – JaCorey Stewart (Transferred from Kansas)
Nicknamed “Pickle,” Stewart appeared in four games last season with Kansas and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
DL – Jamorie Flagg (Transferred from Florida State)
Flagg, a native of Miami, is a 316-pound defensive lineman. He only played in two games this past season for the Seminoles.
DL – Elijah Simmons (Transferred from West Virginia)
Simmons only played in one game this past season for the Mountaineers and did not record any stats. He saw much more success the season prior at Garden City CC, with 21 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Got another beast in the trenches 😤💪 @Esimms50 pic.twitter.com/iElxSL6Lge
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 16, 2026
DL – Nate Jennings (Transferred from South Alabama)
Jennings appeared in 12 games for the Jaguars in 2025, with 13 total tackles and 1.5 sacks to show for.
DL – RJ Moss (Transferred from South Alabama)
Moss also played in all 12 games for the Jags, just like Jennings. He recorded 24 total tackles and a sack.
DL – Anthony Cunningham Jr (Transferred from UTPB)
Cunningham arrives at FIU from the University of Texas Permian Basin, a Division II school in the Lone Star Conference.
Who’s Staying?
Below are some of the biggest playmakers for the Panthers last season who are running it back in 2026.
OL – Zaire Flournoy
OL – Antonio Tripp Jr
WR – Maguire Anderson
WR – Kyle McNeal
WR – Jojo Stone
WR – Eric Nelson
RB – Anthony Carrie
DB – Shamir Sterlin (CUSA All-Freshman Team)
DB – Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine
LB – Percy Courtney Jr
LB – Josiah Taylor
DL – Germaine Carter
DL – Dante Anderson
DL – Kenton Simmons (Second Team All-Conference USA)
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