ATLANTA -- Coming off a seven-win season and a third bowl berth in five years, the Georgia State football team opens spring practice Monday in preparation for the 2020 season. Spring drills continue until April 3, when the Panthers will hold their annual Spring Game at Georgia State Stadium.

All practices are at Georgia State Stadium, beginning at 9 a.m. The Panthers will practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for the next two weeks. After pausing the week of March 16 for spring break, practice resumes on Tuesday, March 24.

Head coach Shawn Elliott is entering his fourth season at the helm after leading the program to winning seasons and bowl berths in two of his first three years. His Panthers are ready to hit the field for spring practice after a rigorous off-season.

"Every offseason is critical to building a strong football program, both mentally and physically, and I think we've done that," he said.

Georgia State returns nine starters on offense and nine on defense from last year's squad that posted a 7-6 record and earned a trip to the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. 

One of the key questions of spring practice will be the battle at quarterback, where the Panthers must replace one of the top players in school history in two-year starter Dan Ellington (2,477 yards, 22 TD, 668 yards rushing, 6 TD).

"We have a lot of returning players," Elliott said. "We've got some depth, and we've got guys who have played a lot of snaps. In the same sense, you look at our offense and we lose Dan Ellington, (running back) Tra Barnett, (left tackle) Hunter Atkinson, and they were huge keys. Those are three individuals we've got to replace. I feel like we do have the talent, and there are going to be some battles to fill those positions."

Four players, all freshmen, will be competing for the quarterback job: redshirt freshmen Cornelious Brown and Kierston Harvey, both of whom saw limited action last season, as well as redshirt freshman Jamil Muhammad and true freshman Mikele Colasurdo, a December signee who enrolled in January.

Elliott said he will handle that position battle just like any other. "Go out and play the best. Whoever can make the plays and do the things necessary to allow us to be successful. It's going to be a tremendous battle. We'll see how they can respond to some tough situations. It's going to be a fun competition."

Atkinson started every game at left tackle for the last four years, but the quartet that the returns up front also performed very well season, helping the Panthers set records for scoring, total offense and rushing. Rising sophomore right tackle Travis Glover was a Freshman All-America, while senior left guard Shamarious Gilmore and junior center Malik Sumter earned All-Sun Belt honors.

"The core of that group is back, and we've got some younger guys who are really coming on," Elliott said. "That's the team within the team offensively, and it's a good feeling to know you have four of the five back."

Although the Panthers' graduated Barnett and his school-record 1,453 rushing yards, every other key skill player returns, including All-Sun Belt receiver Cornelius McCoy (70 receptions, 757 yards, 5 TD), all-conference tight ends Roger Carter (28-334-3) and Aubry Payne (13-204-6) and running backs Destin Coates (546 yards, 7 TD) and Seth Paige (405-4).

"McCoy had a phenomenal year last year, and Sam Pinckney is back," Elliott said. "At the tight end position, Roger Carter and Aubry can do much. And of course our backs. I think our skill position players are really where they need to be, and we've added some really good skill players in the recruiting process."

Defensively, GSU graduated one player at each level in defensive end Terry Thomas, linebacker Ed Curney and safety Remy Lazarus. Top returnees including linebacker Trajan Stephens-McQueen, the team's leading tackler with 110, and All-Sun Belt defensive linemen Dontae Wilson and Hardrick Willis.

"Defensively, two of the seniors we lost during the regular season, so there we some younger guys who stepped up," Elliott said. "We certainly have to establish some new leaders on that side of the ball. Guys like Tra McQueen and Vic Heyward are guys who can do the things necessary to build a successful foundation for our defense."

Elliott is looking for one thing above all else.

"I think any coach wants to see great effort. I don't expect it to be perfect in spring practice. We're going to fall down, but the effort needs to be there. That's the first and foremost thing we talk about every day."

SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
1 - Monday, March 2
2 - Tuesday, March 3
3 - Thursday, March 5
4 - Friday, March 6
5 - Monday, March 9
6 - Tuesday, March 10
7 - Thursday, March 12
8 - Friday, March 13
SPRING BREAK
9 - Tuesday, March 24
10 - Thursday, March 26
11 - Friday, March 27
12 - Monday, March 30
13 - Tuesday, March 31
14 - Thursday, April 2
15 - Friday, April 3 (Spring Game, 7:30 p.m.)

Practices are at 9 a.m. at Georgia State Stadium unless noted.