FIU Football: Looking Ahead At The Potential 2026 Signing Class

Originally posted on G5 Football on SI | By Kevin Barral | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 6:00 AM ET

FIU Athletics

The 2025 class is locked and loaded ahead of Willie Simmons' first year as the head coach of FIU football, but some fans and experts are already looking ahead to the 2026 season. At the moment, seven players are committed to Simmons and his staff.

Of those seven players committed per 247Sports, six of them are Florida natives.

RB - Jayden Ford - Miami Central

@Jayden_Ford1 on X

Ford, the most recent commit, marks the second running back to join the class of 2026. Through two seasons at Miami Central, he's rushed for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ford has posted three 100 yard games in his two varsity seasons.

Once Ford's signing becomes official, it would mark a second straight year that FIU brings in a player from Miami Central. Offensive lineman Jeramy Smith signed with FIU in the 2025 class. Before those two, it was quarterback Keyone Jenkins who signed prior to the 2023 season.

WR - Malik Penson - True North Classical Academy

@CoachJB_4 @HCWillieSimmons @_KDFletcher pic.twitter.com/9S4w2f2bkN
— Malik penson (@Rockoutm4__) January 26, 2025

A three-star wide receiver who held offers from five schools, Penson decided to commit back in January. He is going into his senior season at True North Classical Academy in Miami.

Penson spent his junior season at Homestead, where he caught 48 passes for 798 yards (16.6 YPC) and 10 touchdowns. He saw some reps at quarterback and running back, but will be a receiver at his new school.

IOL - Sean Kentish - The First Academy

#AGTG, I am grateful to announce I am committed to FIU! Thankful for my coaches, family, teammates and support around me! #PawsUp @Royals__FB @FIUFootball @HCWillieSimmons @CoachEdPata @QB_CoachColeman @chadmavety55 @CoachChris_TFA @JeffConawayTFA @DvoMonty @CoachBroomfield pic.twitter.com/6HOcKzQ91V
— Sean Kentish (@Sean_Kentish) April 24, 2025

Kentish held offers from Georgia State, Liberty and Rhode Island along with FIU. The 6'3" 305 pound offensive lineman will make his way down to Miami come the 2026 season. This past season, he started at right tackle for The First Academy in Orlando.

RB - Justin Compere - Miami Carol City

I’m extremely blessed to say that I’ve 100% committed to FIU @HCWillieSimmons @CoachDub305 @MichaelTunsil @Coacheugene4 @coachstubbs95 @JohnGarcia_Jr @MohrRecruiting @JerryRecruiting @TomLoy247 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/q7IIWDydkf
— Justin Compere (@CompereJustin) March 7, 2025

Compre ranks within the top 100 running backs in the class of 2026, per 247Sports. In his junior season, Compre ran for 873 yards and five touchdowns on 82 carries. Along with FIU, Compre held offers from Bethune-Cookman, FAU, USF, Florida A&M, Tulane and Erskine.

IOL - Jordan Davis - McArthur

Jordan Davis put in some strong reps at UA Next Camp in Miami @jordan_davis06

The FIU commit also holds offers from Western Kentucky, Akron, NC State, Nebraska, and Georgia State #UANext pic.twitter.com/ri7om6unaZ
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) March 5, 2025

After spending the 2024 season at Northwestern, starting a cetner, Davis will transfer to McArthur for the 2025 season. Standing at 6'4" and 330 pounds, the Florida native holds offers from power conference teams Nebraska and Maryland. Including FIU, he has 11 total offers.

S - Jakari Johnson - McArthur

All glory to God! Blessed to announce that I have committed to FIU!! @HCWillieSimmons @KennethGilstrap @FIUFBRecruiting @fiuFBupdates @_KDFletcher @JohnGarcia_Jr @CoachDub305 @A_Gaitor @Coach_Dewitt @chop_ortega @DBs__Only @coach_defuria @CoachMacho @Maine_Event99 pic.twitter.com/HVaJmN6dxj
— Jakari Johnson (@jakarijohnson_) May 20, 2025

The Panthers' lone defensive commit at the moment is safety Jakari Johnson. Between his two seasons, he's posted 89 total tackles (58 solo/31 assisted), six tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions.

Johnson, a three-star recruit per 247Sports, held offers from Western Kentucky, Liberty and Pitt along with FIU.

QB - DJ Alexander - New Manchester

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed!" Proverbs 16:3

"TRUST THE PROCESS!" @raisingchamps_ @NewManchesterFB @FIUFootball @HCWillieSimmons

Locked In for my Official Visit to FIU! (June 13-15)✝️ pic.twitter.com/qC6m34umxj
— D J ALEXANDER (@DJALEXANDER1102) April 1, 2025

For a second straight year, FIU will pick up a quarterback out of the state of Georgia in DJ Alexander. The New Manchester product has scholarship offers from Lenoir-Rhyne (Division II), Southern Miss and most recently, Georgia State. Alexander is set to take a visit from June 13-15 at FIU.