SHOT-GUN IN MIAMI DADE
The arrival of a Celebration Bowl champion already has FIU on a winning trajectory in his first season in Westchester, Florida.
Head Coach Willie Simmons brings a champion’s swagger, fresh energy and a winning-record to Miami-Dade. Before a short stint on Manny Diaz’ staff at Duke, Simmons solidified his legacy as one of the most successful coach in recent memory for the FAMU Rattlers.
It still shocks me that in 2024 — about to be 2025 — that we’re still saying first African-American or Latino doing things. It shows how much more work we have to do collectively as a nation to truly have equality. But I’m excited about the opportunity to lead. I’ve gotten a lot of calls from minority coaches, saying how proud they are that I got this opportunity. We all champion for each other. We know these opportunities are limited.
There are only 14 or 15 of us across the country.
PAWS ON THE MAP
Last season saw the Miami-Dade based program finish seventh in Conference USA. Next season, Florida International is banking on the pedigree of a proven winner, and program reviver for a major turnaround. National Signing Day saw the immediate impact of the first Black coach in program history, as twelve incoming freshman Panthers join Simmons’ program.
Almost all of these new student-athletes come from around the State of Florida – a powerful demonstration of Coach Simmons’ powerful presence in home state recruitment. FIU’s sole non-native signee was a 6’1 dual-threat, state-championship winning quarterback from Fairburn, Georgia. Christian Langford seeks to join the growing list of young quarterbacks to sharpen under the guidance of the former Clemson, and Citadel gunslinger affectionately nicknamed “Shotgun” Simmons.
Miami-Dade remains on of the most talented regions of the country, and the arrival of such a prolific recruiter would present major shifts in the local balance of power. By all accounts, Florida International will enjoy a cheat code in their ongoing in-state fight for regional dominance with the likes of Florida Atlantic, UCF, South Florida and The U.
HOME STATE ADVANTAGES
Signing Day in Miami-Dade, saw the arrival of highly-sought prospects from traditional powers across the state.
Anthony Smith
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Raines)
A physically dominate defensive lineman out of powerhouse program Chaminade Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida. Smith amassed 15 tackles for loss as part of a total of 67 stops during his senior season. 126 tackles, 30.5 TFLs and five sacks total, in his final two seasons.
King Massey
Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Was a three-year starter at Raines High School in Jacksonville as a versatile edge defender…totaled 16.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss over three prep seasons…helped lead Raines to a 13-1 overall record and an appearance in the Florida State Championship Game as a senior…tabbed 23.0 TFLs and seven sacks as a senior along with 66 total stops…also forced five fumbles and recovered five…added 15.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks during junior campaign and 69 tackles…started a total of 32 games during high school career.
Takaylen “TK” Muex
Jacksonville, Fla. (Duncan U. Fletcher)
Strong and versatile offensive lineman out of Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Fla…saw time on both the offensive and defensive fronts during prep career.
Christian Barrett
Greensboro, Fla. (Gadsden County)
A playmaking defensive back during his career at Gadsden High School, with gametime minutes at receiver as well. Barnett led Gadsden to the Florida State High School Championship Game and a 13-2 record as a senior, with 48 tackles and defended four passes as a senior…also hauled in a total of 18 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver during final prep campaign.
Nathan Tveit
Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)
A versatile offensive lineman capable of playing all five slots, as he did for Oviedo High School near Orlando, Florida.
Matias Garcia
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Local product out of perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale…powerful interior lineman with championship experience throughout his prep career…captured a pair of state titles at St. Thomas Aquinas…was a two-year starter and was named All-State his senior season…transferred to St. Thomas after playing initial two prep seasons for Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale.
Marc Michel Jr.
Davenport, Fla. (Ridge Community)
Versatile and physical offensive lineman out of Ridge Community High in Davenport, Fla…recorded 23 pancake blocks as a senior…also saw time on the defensive front as a senior and recorded 40 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss.
Amari Issac
Hollywood, Fla. (Hollywood Hills)
Play-making wide receiver out of Hollywood Hills High School, racked totaled 1,759 yards and 18 touchdowns on 133 receptions over final three prep seasons…tabbed 1,016 receiving yards as a senior with 10 TD catches…averaged 101.6 receiving yards per game and 14.1 yards per reception…had a long catch of 74 yards…recorded 704 yards on 57 catches and seven touchdowns as a junior…added a touchdown and 39 yards during sophomore season.
Aydan Clinton
St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood)
Athletic defensive lineman with size out of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla…also played basketball at Lakewood High.
Kani Smith
Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee)
Explosive edge defender out of powerhouse Pahokee High School in Pahokee, Fla…recorded 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks alongside 78 total tackles as a senior…notched 15 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 47 stops as a junior
Jessiah McGrew
Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida State University School)
Dynamic defensive back out of the Florida State University School in Tallahassee, Fla…saw action in 38 games during prep career and registered 104 tackles and eight interceptions…recorded three interceptions during senior campaign and defended a pair of passes…tabbed 39 tackles as a senior…added two interceptions and 45 tackles as a junior…posted a pair of picks and 19 stops as a sophomore and added one more interception during freshman year…also competed on the basketball team as a prep.
