2026 Florida International University Depth Chart

JJ Kohl enters 2026 as FIU’s clear-cut QB1 after transferring from Iowa State, where he showed flashes of big-arm talent in the Big 12. His combination of arm strength and experience in a Power Four system gives him a decisive edge over Zach Marker and Christian Langford, who profile as developmental backups. At running back, Anthony Carrie is the unquestioned bell-cow after a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him emerge as one of the more productive backs in Conference USA. Devonte Lyons and Sterling Joseph provide change-of-pace depth but neither threatens Carrie’s stranglehold on RB1 touches.

The receiver room is headlined by Greg Gaines III, whose blend of size, route-running, and rapport with Kohl makes him the alpha target in Mike MacIntyre’s offense. Kyle McNeal and JoJo Stone slot in as complementary pieces with distinct skill sets—McNeal as a reliable possession target and Stone as a vertical threat. The depth beyond the top three is fluid, with Maguire Anderson, Eric Nelson, and Malik Penson competing for snaps in a rotation that could shift throughout fall camp.

At tight end, Jackson Verdugo profiles as a versatile inline option with solid blocking chops and enough receiving ability to stay on the field in passing situations, while James Resar provides depth. Kicker Noah Sidan returns as a steady if unspectacular option, giving FIU roster continuity at a position that often gets overlooked in fantasy projections but can swing weekly scoring in tight matchups.