FIU adds 20 on National Signing Day

The FIU football roster was bolstered on Signing Day when the Panthers confirmed that 20 high school student-athletes sent in their National Letters of Intent to don the Blue and Gold beginning in 2016. With four early signees, which were announced in January, the Panthers have a total 24 student-athletes in the 2016 signing class. "I am very pleased with this year's class," Head Coach Ron Turner said. "I think it's got a lot of versatility and a lot of good athletes. We had a good number of guys in our camp, so we know them. We hit the positions that we needed and did a really good job on the defensive and offensive lines. We also got some corners that we definitely needed. We have some guys that will come in right away and make an impact. I'm really excited." The year's class is comprised of 13 players on offense, 10 on defense and one on special teams. A total of 21 of the 24 signees hail from the Sunshine State. Among the 21 Floridians, seven hail from South Florida, including five from Miami-Dade County. Of the 24 newcomers, four players have already entered FIU as January 2016 early enrollees. Seventeen of this year's class attended the Ron Turner Football Camps in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville.

2016 FIU Signee Biographies

Zachary Armour – 6-3/212 · TE · Cocoa, Fla. · Cocoa HS
Earned Florida Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention honors in 2015…Recorded a team-high 253 yards on 10 catches at Cocoa High School in 2015, playing for Head Coach John Wilkinson…Averaged 25.3 yards-per-catch for the Tigers while scoring four touchdowns as a senior…Helped Cocoa High to a 10-3 record, advancing to the state semifinals…Participated in the 2016 Florida East Coast Prep Football All-Star Game (Space Coast Team)…Totaled 33 catches for 518 yards and 10 touchdowns during his time with Cocoa High School…Also a member of the Tigers' baseball team, earning All-Space Coast honors…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Armour - Zach is a very athletic tight end. He has great ball skills and good running ability after the catch. He has big-play potential. He's also a tremendous baseball player.

Jose Borregales – 5-10/195 · K/P · Miami, Fla. · Booker T. Washington
Named a Florida Class 4A First-Team All-State selection…Listed as a First-Team All-Dade selection in 2015 and a three-time all-county selection overall (2013, 2014, 2015)…A 2015 Kohl's All-America Honorable Mention…Converted 13-of-14 field goals and 48-of-51 extra point attempts for Booker T. Washington High School under Head Coach Earl Tillman…Also played under current FIU running backs coach Tim Harris, Jr…Averaged 39.5 yards-per-punt…Took 72 kickoffs with 60 touchbacks…Helped the Tornadoes to their fourth-straight 4A state title with a 42-23 win over Jacksonville Raines…Participated in the FIU Kicking Camp in Miami.

Turner on Borregales - Jose is an outstanding kicker. He has very good accuracy and a strong leg. We look for him to come and compete right away.

Isaiah Brown – 6-1/178 · CB · Tampa, Fla. · Tampa Bay Tech
Named a 2015 All-Hillsborough County Honorable Mention honoree…Produced 59 total tackles (39 solo) with two interceptions and 10 pass breakups for Tampa Bay Tech in 2015, playing for Head Coach Jayson Roberts…Helped the Titans advance to the Florida Class 7A semifinals with a 7-5 record…Had 127 return yards with his two interceptions and scored eight points (a touchdown and safety) for the Titans during his senior year…Recorded 362 all-purpose yards, including 235 on kick returns…Notched two interceptions during his junior year with 33 total tackles and one fumble recovery…Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Brown - Isaiah is a long corner with good cover ability. He has excellent speed and is a good return guy.

Dallas Connell – 6-3/286 · OG · Jacksonville, Fla. · First Coast High School
A four-year letterwinner with First Coast High School…Helped the Buccaneers to three-straight Gateway Conference Championships (2012, 2013, 2014). In 2014, anchored a line that helped the Buccaneers throw for 3,783 yards and 47 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 1,391 yards with 22 rushing scores…In 2013, First Coast rushed for 1,959 yards and 25 touchdowns, while recording 3,013 yards and 32 TDs… A 2015 team captain…Named a North Florida Football Coaches Association first-team selection… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Jacksonville…Twin brother Douglas is also a member of the FIU football team.

Turner on Connell - Dallas is really aggressive. We see him playing more of the tackle position. He's really athletic and has great feet. He does a tremendous job in finishing his blocks downfield. Dallas give great effort every play.

Douglas Connell – 6-3/288 · C · Jacksonville, Fla. · First Coast High School
A 2015 team captain…Was part of a First Coast High School line that put up over 5,000 yards (passing and rushing) and 69 touchdowns in 2014 and 57 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 total yards in 2013…Guided First Coast to three-straight conference titles (2012, 2013, 2014)…A four-year letterwinner with the Buccaneers…Named a first-team selection by the North Florida Football Coaches Association… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Jacksonville….Twin brother Dallas is also a member of the FIU football team.

Turner on Connell - Doug is a guy that we are looking at more inside; either center or guard. We really like his leadership. He has good versatility, playing tackle, guard and center in high school. I think he's got a tremendous upside.

Shakur Cooper – 6-1/217 · LB · Miami, Fla. · Coral Gables HS
Earned Florida Class 8A First-Team All-State honors in 2015…Also claimed First-Team All-Dade County recognition…Named one of the Top 50 Miami-Dade Football Players for the Class of 2016 by the Miami Herald…Miami-Dade Country's all-time sacks leader…Had 57 tackles (39 solo) and 18 sacks for Coral Gables High School under Head Coach Roger Pollard…Helped the Cavaliers to a 10-2 record and berth in the Class 8A Playoffs in 2015…Older brother is former FIU wide receiver Jason Frierson (2007-10) and cousin is Indianapolis Colt running back Frank Gore… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Cooper - Shakur will be a great addition to our team. He is the all-time sack leader in Miami-Dade County and is very explosive coming off the edge.

Bryan Ditchman – 6-2/305 · OG · New Lenox, Ill. · Lincoln-Way Central High
Named a Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention on the offensive line…A 2015 Daily Southtown First-Team All-Area selection…Also garnered 2015 Herald-News First-Team All-Area recognition…A four-year letterwinner with Lincoln-Way Central High School…Was a two-way player for the Knights, playing on the offensive line while recording 19 tackles and five tackles for loss in 2015…Also wrestles for L-W Central in the heavyweight division and is a two-time state medal winner… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Ditchman - Bryan has very good leg strength and is extremely aggressive. He finishes blocks very well. He's also an outstanding wrestler.

Tony Gaiter – 5-9/178 · WR · Homestead, Fla. · Westminster Christian
Earned Florida Class 3A First-Team All-State honors as a senior…Named an All-Dade, First-Team selection in 2015… Named one of the Top 50 Miami-Dade Football Players for the Class of 2016 by the Miami Herald…An all-purpose star for Westminster Christian under Head Coach Sedrick Irvin…Had 22 tackles and one interception as a senior…Also, totaled 806 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in 2015…Helped the Warriors to an 8-2 record and a berth in the Class 3A playoffs…Took part in the Miami-Dade All-Star Game, catching a touchdown for the South Team.

Turner on Gaiter - Tony is a playmaker as a slot receiver. He can do a lot of things. He's very good after the catch. You can hand the ball off to him out of the backfield. He has outstanding hands and quickness.

Ulice Gillard – 6-1/197 · WR · Orlando, Fla. · Lake Nona HS
Named a Florida Class 7A Third-Team All-State selection in 2015…As a senior, caught 53 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns for Lake Nona High School under Head Coach Anthony Paradiso…Also played strong safety for the Lions, picking off three passes with 39 total tackles (22 solo)…Had 116 interception return yards for a total of 830 all-purpose yards…During his junior season, grabbed 37 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns.

Turner on Gillard - Ulice has good size. He's a very strong receiver with good speed. He's will bring a physical presence to our receivers.

Isaiah Hill – 5-11/195 · S · Tallahassee, Fla. · Florida State High
Recorded 135 total tackles with 82 solo and 53 assisted in four years with the Florida State High School…Also collected three interceptions and eight pass deflections during his high school career…Saw time under center, completing 96-of-154 passes (62.3 percent) for 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns…His 12 touchdown passes came during his senior year where he threw for 1,210 yards on 93-of-146 passing (63.7 percent)…Found the endzone on the ground two times, rushing for 420 yards on 60 carries (7.0 yards-per-carry).

Turner on Hill - Isaiah is an athlete. He's a really good athlete, who is very intelligent having graduated from high school in three years. He's a safety but played quarterback. This past year he played quarterback, receiver and running back. He's a very versatile athlete with outstanding speed and very good ball skills.

Matthew Kramer – 6-3/238 · DE · Lakeland, Fla. · Lakeland HS
Named First-Team All-Polk County in 2015…Recorded 44 total tackles (20 solo) for Lakeland High School under Head Coach William Castle…Helped the Dreadnaughts to a 9-3 record, advancing to the Class 7A Regional Finals, marking the team's 23rd-straight year in the playoffs…Also garnered 2014 First-Team All-County, registering 58 total tackles (28 solo)… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.

Turner on Kramer - Matthew has a great motor. He plays very hard and has good quickness and acceleration off the edge. He has tremendous up-side as he will continue to add weight when he's just focusing on football.

JoJo Louis – 5-11/194 · S · Bradenton, Fla. · Braden River HS
Recorded 30 total tackles (24 solo) with two interceptions and six pass breakups during senior year…Helped Braden River to a 13-1 mark in 2015 under Head Coach Curt Bradley…The Pirates advanced to the Class 7A state semifinals…Part of a secondary that registered 28 interceptions, including eight during in the playoffs…Led Braden River with eight interceptions during his junior year…Guided the Pirates to an appearance in the region semifinals with a 10-1 record… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.

Turner on Louis - JoJo is a good athlete. He has played a lot of different positions. He's fast, has aggressiveness and a good nose for the ball.

Shane McGough – 6-2/280 · C · Tampa, Fla. · Gaither HS
Earned 2015 All-Hillsborough Honorable Mention recognition…Named a First-Team All-Western Conference selection in 2015…A three-year varsity letterwinner at Gaither High School under Head Coach Jason Stokes…A two-way player for the Cowboys, seeing action at offensive and defensive tackle…Named a 2014 First-Team All-Western Conference selection and an All-Hillsborough County Honorable Mention honoree… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa…Older brother is FIU starting quarterback Alex McGough.

Turner on McGough - Shane is a center who could play guard. He has outstanding leg strength and very good techniques. He finishes blocks extremely well and is very aggressive.

Hunter Orem – 6-2/207 · LB · Lakeland, Fla. · Lake Gibson HS
A 2015 All-Polk County Honorable Mention selection at quarterback…Played linebacker, quarterback, free safety and wide receiver for Lake Gibson High School under Head Coach Keith DeMeyer…Helped the Braves to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Class 6A playoffs…At quarterback, he threw for 574 yards on 47-of-82 passing and two touchdowns…Rushed for 553 yards on 102 carries and seven touchdowns while catching five passes for 58 yards during his senior year…On the defensive side of the ball, had five tackles and one pick…Previous two years (sophomore and junior) totaled 65 tackles (28 solo) and three interceptions… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Orem - Hunter is an outstanding athlete with good instincts. He played quarterback, safety, linebacker and returned kickers for his high school. He has done about everything.

Wyatt Panaccione – 6-4/284 · OT · Clearwater, Fla. · Countryside HS
Named to the Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Bay Team as an honorable mention in 2015…A three-year starter (two years at left tackle) for Countryside High School under Head Coach Eric Schmitz…On a line that led the Cougars to 2,188 yards passing and 19 touchdowns, while the offense gained 1,934 and 23 touchdowns on the ground…Countryside finished 9-2 with a berth in the Class 7A playoffs…During his sophomore year, paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in teammate Dante Satcher, while Trent Chmelik set the school record for passing yards in a season with 1,801… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.

Turner on Panaccione - Wyatt is a big offensive lineman. He has good size and athleticism. His leg strength is tremendous and he finishes blocks well.

Shawndarrius Phillips – 5-11/226 · RB · Delray Beach, Fla. · Atlantic Community HS
Finalist for the Lou Groza Palm Beach County Player of the Year…Named a First-Team All-Palm Beach County selection…Rushed for 566 yards 11 touchdowns for Atlantic Community High School under Head Coach T.J. Jackson…Also stepped in at quarterback, throwing for 356 yards and five touchdowns for the Eagles…Totaled 17 touchdowns (11 rushing, 5 passing, 1 receiving)…Helped lead a team that went 12-1 and advanced to the Class 8A Regional Finals…Key contributor to a team that averaged 32 points-per-game…Played for Team Florida in the Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game.

Turner on Phillips - Shawndarrius is a big back. He's a 226-pounds, physical back. He's an excellent down-hill runner with great vision. He hits the hole quickly.

Khairi Reaser – 5-9/185 · CB · Miami, Fla. · San Jose City College/Westminster Christian
Spent two seasons at San Jose City College, playing defensive back for the Jaguars…In 2015, recorded 21 tackles (16 solo) with two interceptions and four pass breakups…Returned both interceptions for a combined 117 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown...Had 41 total tackles (26 solo) with a 45-yard fumble recovery during senior year (2014) at Westminster Christian under Head Coach Sedrick Irvin…Helped the Warriors to a 10-2 mark in 2014, advancing to the Class 3A Regional Finals…Also had five catches for 68 yards and produced one rushing touchdown…Was a member of the Warriors' track and field team.

Turner on Reaser - Khairi is a junior college corner with good speed and quickness. He has excellent cover skills. He's more aggressive than you would expect out of most corners.

Newton Salisbury – 6-3/246 · DE · Collinsville, Okla. · Northeastern Oklahoma A&M/Collinsville
Spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Norsemen…Totaled 27 tackles (16 solo) with five tackles for loss, three sacks and one fumble recovery…A second-team all-state selection with Collinsville High School during his senior year (2013)…Collected 80 tackles and eight sacks as Collinsville went 10-3 advancing to the state semifinals in 2013…Also wrestled for Collinsville helping the Cardinals to three dual state championships and three-straight state championships as a team, wrestling in the 215-pound weight class.

Turner on Salisbury - Newt is a guy that jumps out off the screen when you watch his tape because of his motor. He goes hard every play. He's a relentless pass-rusher, relentless chasing the ball and has good strength at the point of attack.

Darrius Scott – 5-11/185 · WR · Miami, Fla. · Booker T. Washington
Named a Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2015…Earned First-Team All-Dade honors…Listed as one of the Top 50 Miami-Dade Football Players for the Class of 2016 by the Miami Herald…Recorded 55 catches for 767 yards and seven touchdowns for Booker T. Washington High School under Head Coach Earl Tillman… Also played under current FIU running backs coach Tim Harris, Jr …Caught five passes for a game-high 100 yards as the Tornadoes to their fourth-straight 4A state title with a 42-23 win over Jacksonville Raines.

Turner on Scott - Darrius is a big-play guy. He has outstanding speed and is a game-changer. We are excited to have him be a part of our program.

Andrew Tarver – 6-1/305 · DT · Powder Springs, Ga. · McEachern HS
Earned Second-Team Class AAAAAA All-State honors…Named a Class 4-AAAAAA First-Team All-Region selection…Also selected to the Marietta Daily Journal All- County Team…Helped McEachern High School to 10-2 mark and the Region 4-AAAAAA title…Under Head Coach Kyle Hockman, led the Indians to a 10-4 record during his junior year, totaled 58 tackles (35 solo) with four sacks.

Turner on Tarver - Andrew is a physical defensive tackle. He has good size and excellent leg strength. He plays with outstanding leverage.

Devontay Taylor – 6-3/278 · DE · Odessa, Fla. · Mitchell HS
Named to the Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Bay Team as an honorable mention in 2015…Earned First-Team All-Pasco County recognition…Participated in Inaugural Pasco County All-Star Game…Registered 32 total tackles (23 solo) with 10 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, while causing six fumbles for Mitchell High School under Head Coach Andy Schmitz…Led the Mustangs to a 9-2 record, earning a berth in the Class 6A playoffs…Also a member of the Mustangs' basketball team, averaging 5.7 points-per-game and 5.5 rebounds-per-contest… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Tampa.

Turner on Taylor - Devontay has good initial quickness and burst up the field. He does a good job with his hands. He could defensive tackle and possibly play defensive end. He's very versatile and physical.

Stantley Thomas – 6-2/185 · WR · Punta Gorda, Fla. · Charlotte HS
Named a Class 6A Second-Team All-State honoree in 2015…Earned FACA All District 18 recognition…Had 59 catches for 1,105 yards and eight touchdowns at Charlotte High School under Head Coach Binky Waldrop…Averaged 18.7 yards-per-catch, guiding Fightin' Tarpons to a 12-1 record in 2015, advancing to the Class 6A Regional Finals…Spent junior and sophomore seasons at North Port High School… Was a three-sport athlete with the Bobcats…Caught 35 passes for 695 yards and four touchdowns for the football team…Played on the basketball team that reached the final four and ran the 100- and 200-meter races for the track and field team as a junior… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Thomas - Stantley is a tall receiver that has excellent to go up and get the ball He has good running ability after the catch with outstanding speed and tremendous ball skills.

Malik Tyson – 6-2/196 · QB · Tampa, Fla. · Robinson HS
Named an All-Hillsborough County Honorable Mention selection in 2015…Listed as Tampa Bay's Top 100 players entering his senior year by the Tampa Bay Times…Played for Robinson High School under Head Coach Shawn Taylor…Threw for 930 yards on 69-of-141 passing and seven touchdowns during his senior year (2015)…During the 2014 season, threw for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Knights…Also ran two scores in… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami.

Turner on Tyson - Malik is a very bright quarterback and an excellent leader. He's a dual-threat in both throwing and running.

D'Angelo Ware – 5-9/190 · RB · Moore Haven, Fla. · Moore Haven HS
Named First-Team Class 2A All-State selection…Played in the 20th Annual South-Central All-Star Game…Helped Moore Haven High School to a 7-3 record under Head Coach Richard Roudybush…Led the Terriers with 1,472 yards rushing on 114 carries with a team-high 17 touchdowns during his senior season…Had eight games of 100 yard-or-more, including 205 versus Southwest Florida Christian…Also caught five passes for 60 yards… Participated in the Ron Turner Football Camp in Miami…Hobbies include horseback riding and cattle roping.

Turner on Ware - D'Angelo is very quick. He's an outstanding big play guy who could also line up in the slot. He's physical and can hit the holes very quickly. He has great ability to make guys miss.