FIU lands talented local QB Zac Katz to 2027 class

South Florida quarterbacks performing at a high level have been on an upward trajectory. CJ Bailey from Chaminade-Madonna had a strong freshman season last year with NC State, and Fernando Mendoza from Columbus had an impressive sophomore season at Cal and is looking to build on that at Indiana this season.

Another local talent that could be on that same path is three-star rated signal-caller Zac Katz from True North Academy in Miami, FL. The 2027 quarterback committed to FIU on Wednesday evening, making his announcement via social media. He picked the Golden Panthers over Appalachian State, SMU, and Toledo.

WOW!! ALL GLORY TO GOD!! IM STAYING HOME🐾🐾🆙 @FIUFootball @HCWillieSimmons @QB_CoachColeman @BenjaminRivals @CoachJB_4 @ChadSimmons_ @TomLoy247 @CoachDemas @BozemanQBs @baylintrujillo @TrueNorthFootb1 @Coachmakauskas pic.twitter.com/0c72xWJuRE

— Zachary ‘Zac’ Katz QB ‘27 (@qb_zac) September 3, 2025

“I think it was the right decision for me,” Katz said. “I think this is going to be the program that can develop me into a great quarterback and even better person. I just went with my gut feeling. I think that it was important that I did it now in my junior year, big year. It was the perfect moment for it.”

FIU head coach Willie Simmons and quarterbacks coach Nick Coleman were instrumental in Katz’s commitment, as he views them as mentors, not just coaches.

“Obviously, Coach Simmons is a great leader and will be a great mentor for me. Coach Coleman has taught me a lot from the conversations that we’ve had,” Katz said. “They’ve been recruiting me ever since they arrived at FIU. When we met in person, we got to talk about football and just life. I think Coach Coleman is going to be able to develop me as a person. He has a family. He’s the type of person I want to be when I grow up as a person. Coach Simmons has supported me. He’s done everything that I want to see in a head coach. I think that just me being around those types of people is going to be big for me.”

The six-foot-one, near 200-pounder was last on the campus of FIU in June for a seven-on-seven tournament, and the interest the staff showed was unlike any other school.

“I got to talk to the coaches and feel the love from the coaching staff. That’s a big piece of it. They showed me the most love out of any school.”

The opportunity to stay close to home was a contributing factor for Katz, as he was the quarterback MVP at the Crib Classic in July.

“Staying home is a feeling that’s wonderful. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that I have right now. I’m so blessed.”

Katz plans to attend FIU’s game against cross-town rival FAU on September 13th at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. The Panthers started their season with a dominating 42-9 win over Bethune-Cookman last Saturday. Local talent Keyone Jenkins led the way, passing 18-for-30 for 187 yards and rushing for 71 yards on the ground and two rushing scores.

“I was so impressed,” Katz said. “I think the scheme that they were running fits me perfectly. Keyone “Lyghts Out” Jenkins, that’s my boy. We always talk. Me and Lyghts have been training with Coach Bozeman since we were really young. Being around him for that long and then seeing what he’s doing in college, I think that was a big part of it. He did a great job recruiting me.”

Katz is also connected to FIU wide receiver Kenny Williams, who played his high school ball at Gulliver, and current True North teammate, 2026 WR Malik Penson, is also committed to the Panthers. Katz hopes to recruit more local talent for the program.

“FIU is going to get the hardest worker. The best leader and the best quarterback down south.”