Michael Berlfein (FIU Athletics)
MIAMI – Three former FIU Panthers will begin the 2022 NFL season on active rosters when play kicks off this week.
Former Panthers representing FIU on NFL opening week rosters are Jonnu Smith (New England), Stantley Thomas-Oliver (Carolina) and Teair Tart (Tennessee).
Smith (TE/New England) is entering his sixth NFL season and his second with the Patriots. He snagged 28 passes for a total of 294 yards and a touchdown in 2021. He has totaled over 140 catches for nearly 1,600 yards through his initial four professional seasons.
Smith was drafted by Tennessee in the third round (100th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, before signing as an unrestricted free agent with New England in 2021.