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Athlon Sports
Georgia State Football: 2024 Panthers Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
8 hours ago
Considering the timing, the hiring of Dell McGee was a hit, although it may take a minute for the impact to come into full view Georgia State. His recruiting acumen, which he didn’t have the chance to exercise this cycle, will help. For now, it might be a Year Zero situation.
Former Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott’s resignation was one of the stranger moves of the offseason, mostly because it happened during their spring practice. The Panthers were fortunately able to hire Georgia associate head coach Dell McGee, formerly an accomplished high school coach in the state, as Elliott’s replacement. Because of the timing, the roster is in a state of limbo.
However, it can be said with confidence that the Panthers will look to Georgia Tech transfer Zach Gibson as their starting quarterback. He saw no action for the Yellow Jackets in 2023 but made three starts in 2022.
One of the other more intriguing transfer pieces on the roster is former Coastal Carolina running back CJ Beasley. Beasley was an all-purpose contributor for the Chanticleers with just under 1,000 yards rushing and 344 yards receiving over the last two seasons. The Panthers also have returning running back Freddie Brock, who got his first start in Georgia State’s bowl game. Brock rushed for 276 yards on 24 carries in that contest. It stands to reason that both will be major factors in the offense.
The only returning All-Sun Belt performer for the Panthers is cornerback Gavin Pringle. The redshirt senior had four interceptions, including a pick-6, and four pass breakups last season. Panther faithful should hope he helps lead the defense to a better showing this year. They were the worst Sun Belt team against the pass last year, allowing 279.5 yards through the air and 30 touchdowns.
Replacing Jontrey Hunter’s 96 tackles will be a challenge for the front seven. Linebacker Justin Abraham tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with eight and should be one of the leaders for this group in '24. Rotational linebacker Josiah Robinson is in the same boat after 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. The Panthers allowed 145.8 rushing yards per game, fifth in the league.
Redshirt junior Kade Loggins is an exceptional punter who booted eight for more than 50 yards last season and landed 20 kicks inside the 20-yard line. In the spring, Georgia State had five different place-kickers on the roster, so that spot seems up for grabs after the Panthers made just nine field goals last season. There’s not yet a clear frontrunner for the return specialist, either.
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