FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins can identify with the namesake of Pitbull Stadium.

Pitbull, who – like Jenkins – was born in Miami, grew up poor. Raised by a single mother, Pitbull had to move 14 times while trying to make his way through high school.

As it turned out, Pitbull dropped out of high school …. but he made a fortune as a rapper.

“I can relate to a lot of things he said,” Jenkins noted after Pitbull announced on Tuesday that he will pay FIU $1.2 million in a 10-year deal to put his name on the school’s football stadium. “I didn’t come from a lot, either.

“My mom moved from house to house. We were really struggling to get on our feet.”

Jenkins is exactly the type of student-athlete Pitbull is hoping to inspire.

During his closing speech on Tuesday, Pitbull implored the athletes in attendance to play inspired ball.

“This isn’t just about putting my name on the stadium – it’s deeper than that,” Pitbull said. “For those who play at FIU, play like that. Represent like that. Take it to the house like that.”

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre, who said he is a big fan of Pitbull’s song Timber, was thrilled with the expected impact of Tuesday’s announcement.

“Exposure, exposure, exposure,” MacIntyre said. “We’re 305, and he’s Mr. 305. I think it’s awesome.”

FIU athletics director Scott Carr said he was impressed with Pitbull’s vision for the future.

Carr said he presented Pitbull with some original ideas only to be interrupted.

“He said, ‘No, we want to go bigger,’” said Carr, who admitted that he was so excited about Tuesday’s press conference that he got just four hours of sleep on Monday.

“It’s amazing how often (Pitbull) is thinking about FIU. I’m impressed with him as a rapper but even more an an entrepreneur.”

To that point, Pitbull said he wants FIU’s players to focus on business – not just football.

For example, Pitbull marveled at how much money Tom Brady is making as a broadcaster as opposed to what he commanded during his playing days.

“I want our guys to learn that,” Pitbull said. “I want them to figure out, ‘What’s the agent making? What’s the lawyer making?’”

Carr said he can’t wait until Pitbull holds a concert inside the stadium that bears his name.

“I will be there,” Carr said, “and my wife and two daughters will be there, too, because they’ve already told me.”

Carr added that there are more than 250,000 FIU alumni living in South Florida, and he clearly hopes that they will now become more engaged with their alma mater.

Pitbull also mentioned that he would love to see more involvement from FIU’s current students. He wants to solicit their genius in terms of marketing.

Named Mr. 305 by Miami rapper Trick Daddy, Pitbull seems to have a lot of messages that can inspire FIU’s athletes.

For example, Pitbull on Tuesday said that “the biggest room in the world is room for improvement.”

Pitbull also added: “People say how lucky I am. But it’s funny how the harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Jenkins, who said he listened all summer to Pitbull’s hit “Time of Our Lives,” was completely attentive during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I’m excited for the season,” Jenkins said. “And I’m excited for Pitbull as well.”