Football 2010: Bring the Noise, They’ll Bring the Roar

The Face of FIU Football:
T.Y. Hilton

Junior wide receiver

SI Honorable Mention All-American for
All Purpose players (2008)

Sporting News Freshman All-American Kick Returner (2008)

Scout.com Honorable Mention Freshman
All-American (2008)

Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year (2008)

Sporting News Sun Belt Freshman of the Year (2008)

Rivals.com Sun Belt Freshman of the Year (2008)

First Team All-Conference Kick
Returner & All Purpose (2008)

SBC First-Team All-Conference (2009)

Preseason All-Conference (2010)

Eugene “T.Y.” Hilton wasn’t always fast. “I had enough speed to get away from that guy at that time,” said the junior wide receiver. But at FIU, he has quickly become one of the most feared receivers and return men in college football.

Beginning with his breakout freshman year, “Goodbye,” as he is known by his teammates, has been leaving opposing defenses in the dust. Hilton, who is majoring in sports broadcasting, has provided more highlight-reel moments for FIU than any other player and has become the face of FIU football.

Despite nagging injuries last season, TY was still the team’s leading receiver and returner. While at FIU, Hilton has logged 3,551 all-purpose yards, scoring 18 touchdowns, making him one of the most prolific offensive threats in the Sun Belt. His blinding speed – Hilton’s 4.3 40 is the fastest on the team – impresses friend and foe alike. With the help of Coach Scott Satterfield, he looks forward to having his best year yet.

“His offense is amazing, the routes that we run, the schemes and formations are incredible,” said Hilton of his new coordinator.

Beyond the field, Hilton is a proud father who attributes his attending FIU to his baby boy, who is 2 1/2. “My son was the main reason. I placed two hats on the bed and said, ‘Choose the hat you want your daddy to go to,’ and he chose the FIU hat.”

Growing Up:
Tourek Williams

Sophomore defensive end

When Tourek Williams first set foot on FIU’s campus he was a lanky 6-foot-4 and 228 pounds. Now he tips the scales at 260, a very literal representation of his growth as a player and person since coming to FIU.

Williams’ start in football came much later than many of the athletes who have been thrust into similar prominent positions. He waited untill ninth grade and joined junior varsity at Miami Carol City.

“I made the team and that same year got moved to varsity,” said the sophomore defensive end. “I didn’t play varsity football until my 11th grade year when I transferred to Miami Norland, and that’s when I realized this was something serious, something I really want to do for the rest of my life.”

At FIU, he’s majoring in sport and fitness studies. Being close to home means that his mother and his brother can attend all his home games. “My mother is a great person, my best friend, my everything,” he said.

Since coming to FIU, he has taken up the mantle of playmaker. After starting his college career against Alabama, he would go on to block a game tying field goal against Louisiana-Lafayette and earn the team’s second win of the 2009 season.

With next season in mind Williams is “looking forward to winning.”

In his Blood:
Jonathan Cyprien

Sophomore defensive back

All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention (2009)

Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll (2009-’10)

For some football is a calling, as it has been for sophomore safety Jonathan Cyprien. As long as he can remember he has wanted to play football.

“In elementary school we used to persuade our coach, Mr. Wilson, to play football every day. If he gave us a basketball we’d play football with it, if he gave us a soccer ball we’d play football with it, so he just decided we should play football,” said the 6 foot, 210 pound safety.

Cyprien, who is majoring in physical therapy, was team captain at North Miami Beach Senior High, and an All-Dade 6A selection during his senior year in high school.

“I always thought of myself as a late bloomer, I didn’t really have a chance to play until my senior year and I played really well,” says Cyp, as he is known by his teammates, of that pivotal year in his football career.

Thanks to that senior year, Cyprien was able to earn valuable playing time as a freshman at FIU, appearing in all 12 games and starting seven of them. That playing time paid dividends for the talented safety as he garnered 78 tackles and established himself as a feared member of the secondary.

The Trendsetter:
Anthony Gaitor

Senior cornerback

First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
(2008-’09)

Miami Herald First Team All-Florida (2008)

ESPN.com All-American among
Non-BCS Schools (2009)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference (2010)

Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll (2009-’10)

It takes courage to be the first to do something. Anthony Gaitor was the first elite high school player to commit to FIU.

As Gaitor tells it, “I wanted to set an example. By coming to FIU I feel like I had an opportunity to do that.”

That first major commitment was instrumental in the rapid growth of FIU football.

“He put his foot in the ground and said I’m coming to FIU and created a new pipeline,” said Coach Mario Cristobal of the importance of Gaitor’s choice.

The pipeline that No. 7 created has led to an ever increasing number of All-State signees, as well as All-American and ESPNU 150 players seriously considering FIU as a place to call home.

Gaitor has left an indelible mark on FIU football. He was able to start his freshman year and has collected 145 tackles, nine interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and one sack. He finished 2009 strong with a six-tackle performance against Florida Atlantic. He is a leader with the courage to take a stand and create a new tradition by being a cornerstone in building a new team.

From the Farm to the City:
Brad Serini

Senior offensive lineman

Preseason Rimington Watch List (2010)

36 consecutive games started

Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference (2010)

Most of the players at FIU come from the Southeast. Not Brad Serini, the 6-foot-3, 300 pound center from a small town in New York, charged with leading FIU’s offensive line.

Serini was originally signed to play at Milford Academy in Connecticut, “a prep school for kids that come from really small towns,” Serini tells us.

It is there that Coach Mario Cristobal first noticed the talented offensive lineman, and offered him a scholarship on the spot. Serini, who is noted for his strength, attributes much of his physical prowess to growing up on a farm.

“I always tell everyone I have farm boy strength,” he said.

The senior, whose grandfather, Washington Serini, played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, is now taking his position as leader of FIU’s massive offensive line.

“Playing center is very important,” he said. “I have to make my owns calls, calls for the linemen next to me and change the calls if I see something different. It is difficult but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

With his senior season just days away, Serini is eagerly awaiting that first snap against Rutgers, and a chance to lead his teammates into the trenches.