Bell’s Local Influence Helps FIU Land No. 1 Class

As soon as getting the Florida International University football job, head coach Mike MacIntyre knew that if this program was going to be successful, hiring local coaches would be essential.

With several years of experience under his belt, Coach MacIntyre realized that the state of Florida – south Florida in particular – needed to be addressed and by hiring longtime area iconic coach Corey Bell, he filled a need that would go a long way in giving this program a huge local identity.

With Bell, this program would be able to tap into the local market, which is essential for any team in the nation that wants talented athletes who were not only gifted, but tested against some of the best high school football players in the nation.

When FIU headed toward the first National Signing Day, it was done in a way where local athletes were a priority – and a mix of out the area high school talent and college transfers would give this program a major boost after a season that set the table for the future.

Bell, who coached at Miami Edison and Hialeah American at the high school level as well as University of Miami, FAU, USF and the University of Florida in college, went right after some south Florida talent.

Among those who he worked hard to bring to the program included J.T. Anderson (S, 6-1, 181, Tampa - Bryant University), Toddrick Brewton (Edge, 6-4, 215, Miami Northwestern), Mister Clarke (S, 6-0, 175, Miami Carol City), Victor Evans III (S, 6-0, 165, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Jamari Holliman (CB, 6-1, 165, Miami Norland, Mykeal Rabess (OT, 6-5, 265, Miami Norland) and South Florida Offensive Player of the Year, Keyone Jenkins (QB, 6-0, 187, Miami Central).

ACHIEVING THE NO. 1 CLASS

After the first National Signing Day, the Panthers were the No. 1 team in the conference, and Bell, David Yost, Jovan Dewitt, Eric Hickson, Ricky Brumfield, Greg Austin, Jay MacIntyre, George Frazier, Joshua Eargle, Nate Taye and Coach MacIntyre all combined to get some quality talent.

Among those standouts included John Austin (WR, 5-9, 165, Richmond Foster, Texas), Rowdy Beers (TE, 6-5, 225, Littleton Valor Christian, Colorado), Jaheim Buchanon (OT, 6-2, 280, Lehigh), Travis Burke (OL, 6-6, 260, Hollywood South Broward – Gardner Webb), Antoine Cobb (DL, 6-4, 240, Frostproof), Jack Daley (DL, 6-4, 315, Glastonbury, Connecticut – Bryant University), Landon Hale (S, 6-1, 185, Yulee), Avery Huff (LB, 6-3, 200, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – University of Miami), Shomari Lawrence (RB, 6-0, 200, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely – South Dakota) and receiver Luby Maurice (WR, 6-2, 180, Wellington Palm Beach Central).

There were also Kyle McNeal (WR, 6-2, 170, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer), Christian Pedersen (TE, 6-5, 230, San Mateo Junipero Sierra, California – Louisville), Eric Rivers (WR, 6-1, 165, Chattanooga McCallie, Tennessee – Memphis University), Braden Staten (TE, 6-6, 210, Green Hill Mount Juliet, Illinois), Marquez Tatum (DL, 6-4, 265, Mobile Leflore, Alabama), Elijah Anderson-Taylor (LB, 6-0, 220, Centennial Eaglecrest, Colorado – Northern Colorado) and Clewiston cornerback Preston Thompson (6-0, 170).

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIU FOOTBALL

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