As the Georgia State football team continues preseason practice, head coach Shawn Elliott has talked about the need to identify and develop team leaders, and senior inside linebacker Trajan Stephens-McQueen welcomes that challenge.

Friday was Day 3 of preseason camp as the Panthers prepare for their season opener, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Murray State at 7 p.m. at Georgia State Stadium.

One of eight returning starters for the GSU defense, Stephens-McQueen was GSU's leading tackler in 2019 with 110 stops, the second-highest season total in GSU history.

This season he will looked upon for leadership as well as production. He is grateful for the opportunity he had to learn from last year's defensive captains and outstanding leaders, Ed Curney and Remy Lazarus.

"They took me under their wing and paved the way for me. I'm blessed to have had them as role models," Stephens-McQueen said of Curney and Lazarus.

"This is a new role that I'm in right now, but I feel comfortable," he continued. "I love that everybody can look my way now and ask me the questions. It's nice to see that people are looking up to me and they can come to you for help instead of the other way around."

In this, his senior season, more than any other, Stephens-McQueen is happy to be on the practice field, even in the dog days of summer.

"It's a great experience to be back out there with the guys starting fall camp," he said. "We haven't really had that much time to be together as a whole team, so it's great to just see everybody out there flying around and having fun again."

The summer workouts looked very different than in years past, but the work ethic was the same.

"Even though we were in small groups, we made sure we got the work in," Stephens-McQueen said. "We worked together in our position groups, so my group, the linebackers, pushed each other every day to the max, and I know the other positions did the same.

"Everyday we're getting closer (to the season opener). We know we have a ways to go, but we're getting there one day at a time."

More on Trajan-Stephens-McQueen:

-Senior inside linebacker from Charlotte, N.C.
-GSU's leading tackler in 2019, his first year as the starter after two seasons as a key backup
-Preseason All-Sun Belt (third team) selection in 2020 by Athlon Sports 
-Sixth in GSU history with 198 career tackles
-Led the Panthers with 110 tackles in 2019, the second-highest season total in GSU history
-Fifth in Sun Belt with 8.5 tackles per game
-Second on the team with eight TFL and tied for team lead with two interceptions, including one in the historic win at Tennessee
-School-record 20 tackles in the win over Army

Season tickets for the 2020 campaign are on sale now by calling 404-413-4020 during normal business hours or visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/tix.