FIU Ushers In An Explosive Offense With A Quality TE

Rivaldo Fairweather is a talented tight-end at Florida International that you should become familiar with. Hailing from Lauderhill, Florida out of Boyd Anderson High School, Fairweather possesses quality size at his position at 6’5” 245 lbs, having a lean muscular frame and quality hands. He is entering his junior season, having expectations of a breakout year.

Going into the 2022 season, FIU has a new head coach in Mike MacIntyre. Among his coaching staff includes offensive coordinator David Yost. Coach Yost has implemented explosive passing offenses, being the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, Utah State, and Missouri. Yost has worked with star quarterbacks, such as Blaine Gabbert, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love.

FIU will be deciding on a new signal-caller given that Max Bortenschlager has moved on. Choices will be between current QBs Grayson James, Haden Carlson, or incoming graduate transfer from Duke, Gunner Holmberg.

Regardless of who will be the new leader under center, Fairweather is expected to be an explosive weapon in the offense as a reliable safety valve on short routes as well as having the speed to be a downhill threat. Spring season drills in 2021 confirmed that Fairweather can run 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He also posted a 10’0 broad jump and displayed an excellent vertical of 39”. His high school background as a basketball player certainly translates well, exhibiting above-average athleticism.

In 2021, Fairweather yielded 247 yards on 16 receptions with a touchdown, only recording stats in 7 games and missing the last few games of the season with an arm injury. Being 100% healthy on a full 12-game regular season with a dynamic new offense, he’s expected to easily go over the 500-yard mark on receiving yards and should catch the eye of NFL scouts.