Flordia
International held their preseason media day on Tuesday in Miami, Florida.
FIU
Head Coach Mario Cristobal and select student-athletes took part in the
Panthers’ annual Fall Camp Media Day on Tuesday morning, at the Stadium Club
inside Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
Joining
the sixth-year FIU head coach were offensive representatives Rupert Bryan Jr., Caylin
Hauptmann, Jake Medlock, Kedrick Rhodes and Wayne Times; defensive players Jose
Cheeseborogh, Johnathan Cyprien, Winston Fraser, Justin Halley and Tourek
Williams; and placekicker Jack Griffin.
From
10:15-11:30 a.m., Coach Cristobal and his players held court with members of
the media representing the Miami Herald, Associated Press, Palm Beach Post, USA
Today, WTVJ NBC 6, WSCV Telemundo 51, WFOR CBS 4, Univision 23, XOS Digital and
the FIU Beacon.
After
breaking the FIU single-season rushing record last season with 1,149 yards,
running back Kedrick Rhodes talked about the Panthers’ running game in 2012.
Left
tackle Caylin Hauptmann got in on the action and is part of a senior-laden
offensive line this season, and he spoke of the line’s role in helping the FIU
offense become a productive unit, and then Cornerback Jose
Cheeseborogh
addressed how the Panthers handle preseason accolades.
Quarterback
Jake Medlock was their to comment about his role, he enters the season as FIU’s
starting quarterback
The
Thorpe Award candidate safety Johnathan Cyprien talked about the Panthers’
secondary and the preseason expectations of the team. Kicker Jack Griffin is
nominated for the Lou Groza Award. Griffin discussed how he prepared in the
off-season for what he expects to be another solid campaign.
A
few other player took the mic to express
their thoughts on FIU team this fall.
Senior
defenders, linebacker Winston Fraser and defensive end Tourek Williams, each
talked about their position group and off-season preparations.
Florida
International will be playing their final season in the Sun Belt this fall
before moving on to C-USA. They are predicted to win the Sun Belt in 2012
before they depart.
