GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL 2017 PROSPECTUS Georgia Southern Athletics Communications | P.O

GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL 2017 PROSPECTUS Georgia Southern Athletics Communications | P.O. Box 8085 | Statesboro, GA, 30460 GSEagles.com | Facebook: Facebook.com/GSAthletics | Twitter: @GSAthletics, @GSAthletics_FB

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Director of Football Operations: Cymone George (2nd Season) Athletics Department: 912-478-5047 Director of Football Administration: Steve Dennis (2nd Season) Athletic Communications: 912-478-5448 Strength & Conditioning: Dwayne Chandler (1st Season) Bryan Johnston (Football Contact) Cells: 540-392-1994; 912-531-3575 Director of Football Academics: Andrew Dodge (1st Season) Director of Recruiting: Zach Bell (1st Season) SOCIAL MEDIA Video Coordinator: Chris Ball (5th Season) Offical Athletics Website: www.gseagles.com Offical Athletics Twitter Feed: @GSAthletics TEAM INFORMATION Offical Athletics Football Twitter Feed: @GSAthletics_FB First Year of Football: 1924 (No football from 1941-81; discontinued in ‘41 due to WWII) Offical Athletics Facebook Page: Facebook.com/GSAthletics Program Restarted: 1982 All-Time Record: 314-129-1 (.708) ^ UNIVERSITY FCS National Championships (last): 6 (2000) Location: Statesboro, Georgia Conference Titles (last): 11 (2014 - Sun Belt) University Founded: 1906 Bowl Appearances: 1 Enrollment: 20,517 Last Bowl Game: 2015 GoDaddy Bowl (champions) President: Jaimie L. Hebert, Ph.D. Retired Numbers: #3 Adrian Peterson • #8 Tracy Ham Faculty Representative: Chris Geyerman, Ph.D. 2016 Record: 5-7; 2016 Sun Belt Conference Record: 4-4 Conference: Sun Belt Offense: Spread Option; Defense: 4-3 Nickname: Eagles Lettermen Returning/Lost: 22 (9/11/2)/29 (12/13/4) Mascot: GUS; Live Mascot: Freedom Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Abbreviation: GS (not GSU) Returning (2016 starts): TE Ross Alexander (5), LT Jeremiah Culbreth (10), Primary Colors: Blue (PMS 282) and White RB Wesley Fields (5), LG Ryan Northrup (12), RG Curtis Rainey (9), Secondary Colors.: Gray (PMS 429) and Gold (PMS 872) Lost (2016 starts): RB Matt Breida (12), WR Montay Crockett (11), QB Kevin Ellison (7), WR Johnson III (12), C Andy Kwon (12), ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION RT Max Magaña (7) Director of Athletics: Tom Kleinlein (Wake Forest, 1993) Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Associate AD for Sports Medicine/SWA: Brandy Clouse Returning (2016 starts): DT Darrius Sapp (11), DE Logan Hunt (11), Senior Associate AD for Business Operations: Jeff Blythe CB Jessie Liptrot (5), S Joshua Moon (10), S RJ Murray (4) Associate AD for Compliance and Eligibility: Keith Roughton Lost (2016 starts): NT Jonathan Battle Jr. (7), LB William Bussey Jr. (7), Associate AD for Fan Experience & Special Projects: Gleen Hart LB Ukeme Eligwe (9), LB Ironhead Gallon (12), DE Tre Griffin (6), Associate AD for External Affairs: Larry Mays CB Darius Jones Jr. (11) Associate AD for Internal Operations: Tracy Ham Specialist Starters Returning/Lost: 2/2 Returning (starts): KO Tyler Bass (12), P Matt Flynn (12) STADIUM INFORMATION Losts (starts): LS Travis Baugus (12), PK Younghoe Koo (11) Facility: Allen E. Paulson Stadium (1984) 2017 Newcomers: 23 Capacity: 25,000 RADIO INFORMATION Playing Surface: Shaw Sports Turf (Legion 41) Flagship Radio Station: 102.9 FM WPMX - Statesboro Paulson Stadium Record (%): 186-36 (.838) ^ Online: gseagles.com/watch Play-by-Play: Danny Reed (2nd year) COACHING INFORMATION Color Analyst: Terry Harvin (12th year) Head Coach: Tyson Summers (2nd Season) Pre-Game/Post-Game Co-Host/Sideline Reporter: Russ Brown (8th year) Overall Record/Record at School: 5-7/2nd Season Pre-Game Co-Host: Frank Sulkowski (7th year) Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line: Lorenzo Costantini (2nd Season) Pre-Game/Post-Game Co-Host/Spotter: Colin Lacy (5th year) Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Bryan Cook (1st Season) Linebackers: Pat Bastien (2nd Season) ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS Offensive Line: Bob Bodine (7th Season [first this stint]) Asst. AD/Football Contact: Bryan Johnston Running Backs: Chris Foster (2nd Season) Office Phone: 912-478-5448 | Cell Phones: 540-392-1994; 912-531-3575 Safeties: Olten Downs (1st Season) E-mail: [email protected] Assoc. HC/Slots/H-Backs/Special Teams Coordinator: Chad Lunsford (9th Season [4th this stint]) Director: Chad Jackson Secondary: Jeremy Rowell (2nd Season) Associate Director: Marc Gignac Wide Receivers: Juston Wood (1st Season) Assistant Directors: AJ Henderson (#2 Football), Maggie Tyler Graduate Assistants: Mike Adams, Jamal Golden, Phill Guard, Thomas Niles Ath. Comm. Office: P.O. Box 8085, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460

^ - three wins vacated by NCAA 2017 GEORGIA SOUTHERN SPRING ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown /High School/Previous College ALPHABETICAL 80 Kevin Ackerman TE 6-5 247 r-So. Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School No. NAME POS 46 Ross Alexander TE 6-2 237 Sr. Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge 1 L.A. Ramsby RB 81 Darion Anderson WR 6-0 176 r-Fr. Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County 2 LaBaron Anthony QB 2 LaBaron Anthony QB 6-0 185 r-Jr. Hinesville, Ga./Bradwell Institute/West Alabama 2 R.J. Murray S 46 Darrell Baker Jr. CB 6-1 190 r-Fr. Hephzibah Ga./Hephzibah 4 Monquavion Brinson CB 98 Tyler Bass PK 5-10 173 r-So. Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork 5 Ellis Richardson QB 85 Magill Bauerle P 6-1 180 r-Fr. Athens Ga./Athens Academy 6 Myles Campbell WR 38 Jacorey Belvin LB 5-10 211 r-Jr. Camilla, Ga./Mitchell County 10 Seth Shuman QB 26 Jay Bowdry S 6-0 185 r-So. Thomasville, Ga./Thomasville 11 Malik Henry WR 53 Tommy Boynton OL 6-4 300 r-Jr. Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School 13 Christian Matthew CB 50 Todd Bradley LB 6-0 215 So. Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta 14 Hampton McConnell WR 4 Monquavion Brinson CB 5-11 170 So. Atlanta, Ga./Mays 15 Monteo Garrett RB 88 Malik Broughton TE 6-4 208 r-Jr. Warner Robins, Ga./Veterans/Arkansas 15 Quan Howard WR 48 Cam Brown TE 6-2 230 r-Fr. Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge 15 Martial Washington Jr. S 95 Ian Bush DL 6-0 301 r-Jr. Port Charlotte, Fla./Charlotte 17 Obe Fortune WR 52 Rashad Byrd LB 6-0 205 r-Fr. North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta 18 Shai Werts QB 6 Myles Campbell WR 5-6 170 r-Sr. Duluth, Ga./Duluth 19 D’Ondre Glenn WR 84 Dexter Carter Jr. WR 6-0 180 r-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles School 20 Kindle Vildor CB 28 Mario Cherry RB 5-8 180 r-Jr. Thomasville, Ga./Thomasville/Fort Valley State 21 Wesley Fields RB 41 Deshon Cooper DE 6-3 240 r-Jr. Atlanta, Ga./Columbia/Copiah-Lincoln C.C. 22 Joshua Moon S 64 Jakob Cooper OL 6-3 275 r-So. Lilburn, Ga./Parkview 23 Mark Michaud TE 57 Zack Copeland DL 6-1 250 r-Jr. Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes 24 Sean Freeman S 58 Jeremiah Culbreth OL 6-4 302 Jr. Fairburn, Ga./Langston Hughes 24 George Johnson Jr. WR 34 Chris DeLaRosa LB 6-1 230 Sr. Longwood, Fla./Lake Brantley 26 Jay Bowdry S 37 Tori Delesline LB 6-1 205 r-Fr. Hampton, S.C./Hillcrest 28 Mario Cherry RB 45 Lane Ecton S 5-11 190 r-So. Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork 28 Amari Thompson S 66 Jake Edwards OL 6-4 285 r-Jr. Franklin, Ga./Heard County/Georgia 29 Demarcus Godfrey RB 74 Lawrence Edwards OL 6-6 258 r-Fr. Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek 30 Jessie Liptrot CB 77 Ted Field Jr. OL 6-5 285 Fr. Glen Mills, Pa./Salisbury School 31 Mike Summers Jr. WR 21 Wesley Fields RB 6-0 195 Jr. Americus, Ga./Americus-Sumter 31 Jc’Kenzie Walker S 55 Matt Flynn P 6-0 200 r-Sr. Loganville, Ga./Loganville 32 Troy Stewart WR 17 Obe Fortune WR 6-1 178 r-So. Alpharetta, Ga./Milton 33 Malik Murray WR 21 Sean Freeman S 6-0 195 Jr. Fort Valley Ga./Peach County/Eastern Arizona JC 34 Chris DeLaRosa LB 40 Jaden Garrett DB 5-11 175 Fr. Plant Vity, Fla./Durant 35 Eric Montgomery RB 15 Monteo Garrett RB 5-10 185 r-Jr. Talladega, Ala./Munford 37 Tori Delesline LB 19 D’Ondre Glenn WR 6-5 210 r-So. Douglasville, Ga./Douglas County 38 Jacorey Belvin LB 29 Demarcus Godfrey RB 5-9 179 r-Sr. Sharpsburg, Ga./East Coweta 40 Jaden Garrett DB 69 Drake Grall OL 5-10 293 r-Jr. Locust Grove, Ga./Henry County 40 Willis Toulson III TE 89 Tanner Hall WR 6-1 185 r-Fr. Suwanee, Ga./Lambert 41 Deshon Cooper DE 11 Malik Henry WR 6-0 175 Jr. Tifton, Ga./Tift County 44 J.B. Kouassi DE 65 Tristan Hill OL 6-4 275 r-Jr. Mustang, Okla./Mustang 45 Lane Ecton S 53 Brandon Holley LB 6-0 210 r-So. Buford, Ga./Mill Creek 46 Ross Alexander TE 15 Quan Howard WR 6-2 180 r-So. Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz 46 Darrell Baker Jr. CB 91 Logan Hunt DE 6-2 255 Jr. Sandersville, Ga./Washington County 47 Randy Wade Jr. DE 24 George Johnson Jr. WR 5-9 165 r-Jr. Broxton, Ga./Coffee 48 Cam Brown TE 44 J.B. Kouassi DE 6-2 230 r-So. Norcross, Ga./Norcross 50 Todd Bradley LB 51 Connor Lawson LB 6-1 215 Fr. Albany, Ga./Deerfield Windsor 51 Connor Lawson LB 71 Jarrod Leeds OL 6-4 270 Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla./Clay 52 Rashad Byrd LB 30 Jessie Liptrot CB 5-11 175 r-So. Atlantic Beach, Fla./Fletcher 53 Tommy Boynton OL 90 Tristan Mann TE 6-2 235 r-So. Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek 53 Brandon Holley LB 97 Luis Martinez PK 5-9 194 r-Fr. Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County 54 Ike Ukwu LB 13 Christian Matthew CB 6-3 175 r-So. Columbus, Ga./Chattahoochee County 55 Matt Flynn P 63 Michael McAlvin OL 6-6 290 r-Fr. Augusta Ga./IMG Academy 57 Zack Copeland DL 14 Hampton McConnell WR 6-2 190 r-So. Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth 57 Parker Williams OL 23 Mark Michaud TE 6-4 210 So. Brooklyn, N.Y./Paramus Catholic/Avon Old Farms 58 Jeremiah Culbreth OL 35 Eric Montgomery RB 6-1 190 r-So. Marietta, Ga./Hillgrove 58 Traver Vliem DL 22 Joshua Moon S 6-0 187 Jr. Fairburn, Ga./Creekside 59 Alvin Ward Jr. LB 33 Malik Murray WR 6-0 172 r-Fr. Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge 61 Drew Wilson OL 2 R.J. Murray S 6-0 200 r-Jr. Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge 62 Ryan Northrup OL 62 Ryan Northrup OL 6-2 290 r-Jr. Norcross, Ga./Norcross 63 Michael McAlvin OL 96 Ty Phillips DL 6-3 260 So. Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County 64 Jakob Cooper OL 75 Curtis Rainey OL 6-2 297 Jr. Jacksonville, Fla./Robert E. Lee 65 Tristan Hill OL 1 L.A. Ramsby RB 5-11 210 r-Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain 66 Jake Edwards OL 87 Colby Ransom WR 5-11 182 r-So. Stone Mountain, Ga./South Gwinnett 67 Alex Smith OL 5 Ellis Richardson QB 6-3 230 r-Sr. Atlanta, Ga./Douglas County/Alabama State 90 Darrius Sapp DL 6-1 330 Sr. Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta 2016 GEORGIA SOUTHERN ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown /High School/Previous College 10 Seth Shuman QB 6-1 195 So. Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta ALPHABETICAL 67 Alex Smith OL 6-4 290 r-Fr. Woodstock, Ga./Etowah No. NAME POS 32 Troy Stewart RB 5-9 190 r-Jr. Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain 68 Christian Williams OL 31 Mike Summers Jr. WR 6-1 200 6th Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro/Georgia Tech 69 Drake Grall OL 28 Amari Thompson S 6-2 180 r-Fr. Minneola, Fla./Lake Minneola 69 Chris Washington DL 40 Willis Toulson III TE 6-0 230 r-Fr. Louisville, Ga./Brentwood School 71 Jarrod Leeds OL 97 Shelby Townsend Jr. TE 6-1 270 r-Jr. Cartersville, Ga./Woodland/Miles College 74 Lawrence Edwards OL 54 Ike Ukwu LB 6-1 235 r-Sr. Nashville, Tenn./Grady/Clark Atlanta 75 Curtis Rainey OL 20 Kindle Vildor CB 5-11 177 So. College Park, Ga./North Clayton 77 Ted Field Jr. OL 58 Traver Vliem DL 6-4 237 r-Fr. Midland, Texas/Midland 80 Kevin Ackerman TE 47 Randy Wade Jr. DE 6-2 230 r-Fr. Blakely, Ga./Early County 81 Darion Anderson WR 31 Jc’kenzie Walker S 6-0 187 r-Fr. Douglas, Ga./Coffee 82 Mike Williams WR 59 Alvin Ward Jr. LB 6-4 216 r-Fr. Ahoskie, N.C./Hertford County/Atlanta Sports Academy 84 Dexter Carter Jr. WR 69 Chris Washington DL 6-0 300 r-Sr. Hephzibah, Ga./Burke County/West Georgia 85 Magill Bauerle P 15 Martial Washington Jr. S 6-3 203 r-Fr. Riceboro, Ga./Liberty County 87 Colby Ranson WR 18 Shai Werts QB 5-11 188 r-Fr. Clinton, S.C./Newberry 88 Mailk Broughton TE 98 Tim Wilkerson II DE 6-3 240 r-Jr. Katy, Texas/Katy/Eastern Illinois 89 Tanner Hall WR 68 Christian Williams OL 6-0 300 r-Jr. Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka 90 Tristan Mann TE 82 Mike Williams WR 5-10 169 So. Lake City, Fla./Columbia 90 Darrius Sapp DL 57 Parker Williams OL 6-1 295 r-So. Milledgeville, Ga./Georgia Military College Prep 91 Logan Hunt DE 61 Drew Wilson OL 6-4 300 So. Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt 95 Ian Bush DL 96 Ty Phillips DL 2017 Signing Class 97 Luis Martinez PK Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown /High School/Previous College 97 Shelby Townsend Jr. TE Tré Allen LB 6-0 225 Fr. Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland 98 Tyler Bass PK Kado Brown QB 6-0 190 r-Jr. Ventura, Calif./Rio Mesa/Moorpark CC 98 Tim Wilkerson II DE Melton Brown Jr. DL 6-3 248 Fr. Louisville, Ga./Jefferson County Kenderick Duncan Jr. S 6-3 190 Fr. Stockbridge, Ga./Stockbridge Jaalon Frazier QB 6-2 190 Fr. Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County Jaden Garrett CB 5-11 175 Fr. Plant City, Fla./Durant Quan Griffin DL 6-2 260 Fr. Glen Saint Mary, Fla./Baker County Chris Harris Jr. LB 6-1 225 Fr. Savannah, Ga./Benedictine Josh Johnson DE 6-5 245 Fr. Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge Raymond Johnson III DE 6-4 230 Fr. Sumter, S.C./Sumter Benz Josue LB 6-0 190 Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga./Mountain View Caleb Kelly OL 6-2 275 Fr. Warner Robins, Ga./Northside Wesley Kennedy III WR 5-10 181 Fr. Savannah, Ga./Benedictine Matt LaRoche RB 5-10 170 Fr. Venice, Fla./Venice Demetrice Lofton DL 6-4 230 Fr. Fairburn, Ga./Creekside Brian Miller DE 6-2 245 Fr. Savannah, Ga./Memorial Day Tomarcio Reese LB 6-0 220 Jr. Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County/Northwest Mississippi CC Kenton Tucker Jr. DL 6-4 275 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Grant Walker RB 6-0 195 Fr. Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove Logan Wright RB 6-0 212 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood TYSON SUMMERS Q&A Q: What are you expecting out of this team and what’s your philosophy are doing a good job of trying to refine their skills and hone into trying going into 2016? to be more efficient passers. So those are the guys that I think that you’ll TS: I thing the big thing, in terms of the big things we want to find out see there. coming out of spring practice is really what our leadership is. It’s always the thing that you can’t always put your thumb on. What guys are Q: What are some battles that you are looking closely at? going to lead and what guys are going to be the guys that don’t. And TS: I think certainly, what I have believed for a long time here, is that you want to see how guys handle adversity when it comes to football. people have always kind of gone back to the option and the success You can see a lot of those things in the weight room and off-season Georgia Southern has had in running an option offense. But a lot of conditioning, but I’m looking to see which guys are going to be physical that success to me has gone back to the offensive line. And the attitude, guys and which guys are going to want to compete and ball. Those are mentality and beliefs that those guys have and I think you’ll see that the types of things we’re looking for. We’re trying to identify who will be continue to progress. I’m also excited to see how our receivers progress. our leaders moving forward into 2016. And again, with looking to be able to see what they’re able to do as far as their maturation over the 15 days of spring practice from a learning Q: What can fans expect a Tyson Summers defense to look like and standpoint, and obviously there will be more opportunities to catch who’s a key player to watch? balls and do something with it. TS: We’ll be what I’ve been the past four or five years and that’s a team that is predominantly four down, but we’ll have some more odd Q: Who is the guy that may not make headlines every week, but packages in. We did that a little more at Colorado State than we did at probably could win a game for the Eagles? UCF, but we’ll be predominantly in that four down grouping. The guy TS: The guy that I’m excited about that I think is what you’re talking that I’m excited to watch and see how he plays in Ironhead Gallon. about offensively is Wesley Fields. He’s that guy that kind of does I think he’s a guy that, since I’ve been here, has been exceptional in everything right and a guy that is certainly a team-first guy. And the everything that he’s done. I watched film from last year and he’s a guy other guy that I mentioned earlier was Ironhead. I think that those are that can show up and make plays. I’m really looking forward to seeing the guys that off the top of my head right now that I would say those how he plays and how he handles a leadership role.” are the guys that will be those kind of guys for us.

Q: Same question as before, but with the offense. Q: What do you want people to know about this team going into your TS: Offensively, I think a lot of it is going to look very similar from the first year? television set. At the end of the day, we’re still going to be a gun-option TS: I think the biggest thing that I’m looking for is guys that are team and be very quarterback driven. I do expect to see a little bit more disciplined. And what I hope to be able to see is that when people passing than what they’ve done, but most of it will be more based on play us they see us as a disciplined football team – a team that plays what we’re given and what the defense has shown us, so it will look extremely tough and extremely hard. And we certainly want to be a very similar as far as that. But I think the thing that I’m looking forward physical football team, we want them to show up and again we want to seeing offensively is the two quarterbacks. I’m looking forward to to have the mental and the physical toughness factor combined. And having the opportunity to be around and see how Kevin Ellison and when you do those things, what winds up happening for you is you Favian Upshaw handle the leadership roles. Those are guys who, in our become a disciplined football team. off-season workouts, have done everything right. They can both do a good job of leading and both guys are really positive with the offense and I think that the players around them feel comfortable with both those guys. I’m looking forward to that position and seeing how those guys mature through the off-season.

Q: How their leadership qualities differ? TS: I think that they are both high-character guys and they both have leadership qualities. I certainly think that they are both guys that have a lot of similarities. They both, in my opinion, run the ball exceptionally well; they both have good speed and both have a large amount of swagger about them. I think that what you’ll be able to see is guys who SPRING BREAKDOWN OFFENSE: Quarterbacks Who’s Gone? The Eagles found the passing touch in 2016 and veterans Who’s back? There’s not a lot of experience returning for the Eagles. BJ Johnson III, Montay Crockett and Keigan Williams were a hug part of Seth Shuman was pressed into action late in the season and started the the aerial success. Appalachian State game. LaBaron Anthony saw limited reps early in the season, as well. Fresh Faces: There are a slew of young Eagles looking to make their mark this spring, including Obe Fortune, Tyrell Moorer, Raymond Who’s Gone? The two main cogs behind center the past two seasons in Cochran III, George Johnson, Jr., Colby Ransom, Eric Ritland and Quan Kevin Ellison and Favian Upshaw are both gone. The two combined to Howard. start 36 of the past 37 games for the Eagles and leave big shoes to be filled. What to expect: Coach Summers has made it clear the Eagles need to be able to pass more and this deep group will give them a chance to be Fresh Faces: XXXX players who redshirted last year - Shai Werts, XXX, successful. A good spring for any of these 12 players will go a long way XXX - will jockey for a spot on the depth chart. Coaches are hoping Werts in determining who is on the two-deep come August. can challenge for the starting spot. He brings Tight Ends What to expect: As good as Summers felt heading into 2016, it’s a 180 Who’s back? Converted defensive end Isaiah Seise is the lone returner. heading into 2017. With a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks He played in 11 games last season, mostly as a wing blocker on the PAT coach in Bryan Cook now at the helm, the spring is huge for this group and field goal teams on special teams. He did see action on 38 offensive to learn the offense and establish a pecking order heading into the snaps, a lot coming in goal-line packages. preseason camp. Who’s Gone? This is the one spot on offense the Eagles will be starting Running Backs from scratch as they lost Jeff Ward, James Dean and Cody Rediger. Who’s back? In short, most everyone. While losing Matt Breida hurts, A mostly unheralded group, these three were as instrumental as the Eagles still return three other key contributors from the 2016 squad. anyone else in helping the Eagles lead the nation in rushing yards and With Breida’s departure, that leaves Wesley Fields (512 yds., 3 TDs) and touchdowns with their tenacious blocking. L.A. Ramsby (361 yds., team-high 8 TDs) at the top of the depth chart while Chaz Thornton, Demarcus Godfrey and Troy Stewart also compete Fresh Faces: Kevin Ackerman and J.L. Banks are a pair of big bodies for playing time. who redshirted last season and are anxious to get on the field.

Who’s Gone? GS must find a way to replace Matt Breida and his 3,754 What to expect: Position coach Chad Lunsford will work with an career rushing yards. Breida tallied 40 career touchdowns and was a athletic group, but one with hardly any collegiate experience. GS tight home run threat every time he touchded the ball. ends have to be able to block in the run game as well as help out in the passing game, so getting this group ready to roll for the fall will be a top Fresh Faces: Jermany Hawkins and Mario Cherry will both be looking priority for the staff. tohave good springs to try and break into the rotation. Offensive Line What to expect: Matt Breida was a fixture of the Eagles’ offense the Who’s back? Georgia Southern returns three starters along the line past three seasons, but it’s still hard not to feel good about this position. from 2015, but five players taking the field for the spring have started With a new coordinator in place, there’s new terminology, techniques at least one college game: Andy Kwon (13), Tommy Boynton (13), and plays to learn. Fields, Ramsby and Thornton have proven to be more Jeremiah Culbreth (11), Ryan Northrup (4) and Max Magaña (2). Curtis than capable backs and Cook will rely on these three heavily in 2017. Rainey played in eight games last year as a true freshman and will battle for a starting spot at guard. Christian Taylor also saw limited Wide Receivers action last season. Who’s back? Myles Campbell and Malik Henry are all back. The five combined to catch 29 passes for 506 yards a year ago. Williams had off- Who’s Gone? The Eagles lost both starting guards in Roscoe Byrd and season surgery and will be out for the session. all-conference selection Darien Foreman. SPRING BREAKDOWN year, including two-year starter Jay Ellison, who earned second-team Fresh Faces: Jeremiah Theus is a promising youngster who played early All-Sun Belt honors a year ago. Darrius Sapp started 11 games a year on, but suffered a shoulder injury and had to take a medical hardship. ago, tallying 23 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Also back are Zack He’ll lead a group of linemen that includes John Freeman, Jakob Cooper, Copeland (5 tackles) and Ian Bush (3 tackles). Parker Williams, Drake Grall, Christian Williams, Jackson Morris, Tristan Hill and Heath Warren. Additionally, Sean Gaddy will move over from Who’s Gone? No one. the defensive line to try and earn some playing time along the offensive front. Fresh Faces: Shelby Townsend, Jr. redshirted after transferring from Miles College, as did Chris Washington, who came in from West Georgia. What to expect: With quite a bit of experience returning, the staff Darius Roper is a redshirt junior who enrolled in January after playing has some options in terms of moving players around to try and get the two seasons at ASA in New York. He originally signed with Duquesne best five linemen on the field. This spring will be about learning the out of high school and redshirted there his freshman year. new terminology, building cohesion as a group and bringing the young players along to build depth for the fall. What to expect: The Eagles have three big bodies in Ellison, Copeland and Sapp who saw extensive action last year and look to be ahead of DEFENSE the pack. But with a new scheme and young players looking to get on Defensive Ends the field, spring is important for the entire group and no one can rest on Who’s back? The Eagles return a solid group of players who saw a ton their laurels. of action last season in senior Bernard Dawson (28 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks; All-Sun Belt second team), senior Jamal Linebackers Johnson (39 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks), sophomore Logan Who’s back? The Eagles return two starters in Ironhead Gallon and Hunt (8 starts, 30 tackles), senior Nardo Govan (8 tackles, GoDaddy Chris DeLaRosa. Gallon started 12 games last year and recorded 81 Bowl Defensive MVP), Tre Griffin (6 tackles) and Ryan George (18 total tackles while DeLaRosa had 43 stops. William Bussey, Jacorey Belvin, tackles, 3.5 sacks). Kurt Oehlbeck and Ken Butler, Jr. are all back and looking to move up the depth chart. Who’s Gone? Lennie Richardson was the only senior defensive end on last year’s team and he missed a majority of the season with an injury. Who’s Gone? The Eagles lost a great one in linebacker Antwione Williams, who led the team with 107 stops. Fresh Faces: J.B Kouassi redshirted last season and Tim Wilkerson II sat out per NCAA rules after transferring from Eastern Illinois. Fresh Faces: All eyes this spring will be on Florida State transfer Ukeme Eligwe, who had to sit out last year per NCAA rules. He starred What to expect: The Eagles have a ton of depth at this spot, but this on the scout team a year ago, but transferring that to the varsity squad group still must adjust to a new coaching staff and scheme. While will be the key. He brings great size at 6-2, 239 and looks to be in the Dawson and Hunt head into spring as the No. 1s, expect a heated battle same physical mode of Williams (6-3, 245). Alvin Ward, Jr., a mid-year as everyone jockeys for position. enrollee, walk-on Brandon Holley and Ross Alexander, who moved from defensive end, are also new to the linebacking corps. Alexander saw Defensive Tackles significant action last year and even had an interception against The Who’s back? The defensive tackle spot also returns everyone from last Citadel.

What to expect: While the departure of Williams stings, the staff is high on Eligwe and what he brings to the table. Gallon has been a leader in the offseason and is expected to do big things in his senior year. Building depth and learning the new schemes will be the top priorities this spring.

Cornerbacks Who’s back? Darius Jones, Jr., is the lone player returning who saw SPRING BREAKDOWN significant playing time on defense last year. He earned nine starts Who’s back? Younghoe Koo ended up handling the kickoffs, PATs and on the year, mostly at the nickel position, and totaled 32 tackles, field goals in the second half of the season. The strong-legged senior is 2.0 tackles for loss and had two interceptions. Also back are DeAndre expected to once again be the guy, but needs a good spring to solidify Watkins, Rayquan Sam, Jacob Schofill and R.J. Murray, who all saw his position. limited action last year. Who’s Gone? Alex Hanks, who started the season as the place-kicker, Who’s Gone? Georgia Southern’s top corners from last year, Darrius graduated. White, Caleb Williams, Cliff Saggus and Riyahd Jones, are all gone. White and Williams combined for 57 tackles and five interceptions last Fresh Faces: Tyler Bass dressed for every home game last year, but year alone. redshirted, will challenge for playing time.

Fresh Faces: The coaches are excited about Christian Matthew and What to expect: Koo is the clear front-runner for the position, but has Jessie Liptrot, both of whom redshirted last year. to keep kicking the way he did toward the end of last season.

What to expect: Jones, Jr. should be one of the corners while a Punters freshman could be battling for the other spot. A tough spring is Who’s back? Matt Flynn is the only punter on the roster this spring. expected to bring out the best in this group to see who rises to the top. Who’s Gone? Ryan Nowicki averaged 41.1 yards on 33 punts last Safeties season. Who’s back? Robert Brice II and Joshua Moon both saw the field early on before missing the back half of the season for various reasons. Both Fresh Faces: None. are back and ready to battle for the free safety spot. At strong safety, Zander Yost will look to make the most of his senior season. What to expect: Flynn will have his chance to show the coaches what he’s made of this spring. Last year, he kicked just eight times, averaging Who’s Gone? Another area hit by graduation, the Eagles lost free safety 41.0 yards per punt with a long of 55 yards. Matt Dobson and strong safety Antonio Glover. Long Snappers Fresh Faces: Senior Vegas Harley, who dabbled at cornerback last Who’s back? Jake Abraham has snapped just four times over the past year while also playing quarterback, makes the move to strong safety two seasons, but is anxious to step up in his senior season. Nick Sewak and looks to grab the starting spot in his final year. Strong safeties has been in the program a few years, but has yet to see the field. He Jay Bowdry and Brennan FitzPatrick, and free safety Lane Ecton all should provide good competition for the starting gig. redshirted last season. Who’s Gone? Jake Banta handled both the PATs and field goals the past What to expect: These two spots are wide open as no one on the three seasons. roster has started a game. The entire secondary will be watched closely by the new staff with battles expected to carry over to fall practice. Fresh Faces: Travis Baugus redshirted last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS What to expect: A wide-open spot, the long snapping job may not be Place-kicker won until fall practice rolls around. 2017 SIGNING CLASS

2016 GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL NEWCOMERS

Name, Position, Ht., Wt., Hometown, Last School Darion Anderson, WR, 6-0, 176, Warner Robins, Ga., Houston County HS Chris Barrett, TE, 6-3, 230, Clearwater, Fla., Countryside HS Todd Bradley, LB, 6-0, 215, Valdosta, Ga., Valdosta HS Monquavion Brinson, DB, 5-11, 170, Atlanta, Ga., Mays HS Rashad Byrd, LB, 6-0, 205, North Augusta, S.C., North Augusta HS Deshon Cooper, DE, 6-3, 240, Atlanta, Ga., Columbia HS Tori Delesline, LB, 6-1, 205, Hampton, S.C., Hillcrest HS Lawrence Edwards, OL, 6-6, 258, Port Orange, Fla., Spruce Creek HS Tanner Hall, WR, 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Ga., Lambert HS Jermany Hawkins, RB, 5-10, 207, Sylvania, Ga., Screven County HS Rakeem Hightower, DB, 6-0, 190, Moultrie, Ga., Colquitt Country HS Michael Jackson, WR, 5-10, 169, Lake City, Fla., Columbia HS Luis Martinez, K, 5-9, 194, Moultrie, Ga., Colquitt County HS R.J. Merriweather, WR, 6-0, 180, Tift County, Ga., Tift County HS Mark Michaud, TE, 6-4, 210, Brooklyn, N.Y., Avon Old Farms Ty Phillips, DL, 6-3, 260, Moultrie, Ga., Colquitt County HS Darius Roper *, DL, 6-3, 270, Jersey City, N.J., ASA Seth Shuman, QB, 6-1, 195, Valdosta, Ga., Valdosta HS Alex Smith, OL, 6-4, 290, Woodstock, Ga., Etowah HS Amari Thompson, DB, 6-2, 180, Minneola, Fla., Lake Minneola HS Kindle Vildor, DB, 5-11, 177, College Park, Ga., North Clayton HS Traver Vliem, DE, 6-4, 237, Midland, Texas, Midland HS Randy Wade, LB, 6-2, 230, Blakely, Ga., Early County HS Alvin Ward, Jr. *, DE, 6-4, 235, Hertford, N.C., Atlanta Sports Academy Martial Washington, DB, 6-3, 203, Hinesville, Ga., Liberty County HS Shai Werts, QB, 5-11, 188, Clinton, S.C., Newberry HS Drew Wilson, OL, 6-4, 300, Bamberg, S.C., Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS

* - already enrolled at Georgia Southern