This football recruiting analyst raves about the FIU Panthers’ signing class. Here’s why
With the February signing period still to come, FIU’s football recruiting for the Class of 2020 ranks 85th in the nation and third in Conference USA, according to 247 Sports.
But Larry Blustein, who for decades has been an authority on South Florida recruiting, is raving about FIU’s Class of 2020.
“[FIU coach Butch Davis] and his staff do a great job evaluating talent,” Blustein said. “They signed a bunch of kids who were undervalued elsewhere but will be very good players.”
At the top of the list for Blustein are Boyd Anderson tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, American Heritage safety Andrew Volmar and Miami Central running back Kejon Owens.
Fairweather might have been undervalued because he played for a high school known much more for basketball, not football.
“He is so athletic,” Blustein said of Fairweather, a 6-4, 235-pounder. “He can put on 30 pounds over the next two years, and he’s going to be tough to keep off the field.”
Volmar, a 6-1, 170-pounder who had offers from Rutgers and Temple, started his career as a wide receiver. Blustein said Volmar wasn’t the “star guy” on a talented American Heritage team, but he made plays and could be the type who blossoms at FIU.
Owens isn’t overly big at 5-10 and 185 pounds, but he helped lead the Rockets to a Class 6A state title, rushing for 165 yards on 10 carries in the championship game, a 62-27 blowout over previously unbeaten Pensacola Escambia.
“Owens is a beast,” Blustein said. “He’s tough to bring down, and he has a burst. He can catch the ball. He’s so versatile that I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up at safety.”
The other skill-position player from South Florida signed by FIU last week was Teddy Richardson III, a 5-11, 185-pound wide receiver from Miami’s Booker T. Washington.
Blustein said Richardson — who helped BTW win the Class 4A state title — has “unlimited” potential.
“On a team with six legit wide receivers, Teddy was the best route runner,” Blustein said. “He is sure-handed and quick. He will get on the field early because he does so many things well.”
There was one other player in this recruiting class that Blustein truly raved about: Bobby Washington, who won a state championship this year as a 5-11, 290-pound nose guard for St. Thomas Aquinas.
“That kid will be one of most effective tacklers in Conference USA,” Blustein said. “If you put him right over the center, he will make a lot of stops inside. He’s a man-child. You can’t run on him with the way he penetrates the backfield.
“If he were 6-foot-3, he would go to a Miami or Florida State.”
FIU men’s basketball
FIU’s men’s basketball team (9-3), which has won six straight games, visits Minnesota (6-5) on Saturday. Minnesota is directed by Richard Pitino, who was FIU’s coach in 2012-2013.
Last week, FIU beat Florida Memorial 99-74 and Stetson 83-67. FIU center Osasumwen Osaghae blocked 13 shots in the two games, including a career-high-tying eight against Stetson.
