Roger That!

New Number, Same Dependable Receiver & Blocker Back for More in 2021

Anticipation is high for the 2021 football season as Georgia State returns 22 starters from last year's record-setting team and LendingTree Bowl champions.

Head coach Shawn Elliott's squad welcomes back all 11 starters from an offensive unit that averaged a school-record 33.3 points per game, nine starters from a GSU defense that ranked No. 7 in FBS with a program-record 35 sacks, and their placekicker and punter.

Each week leading up to the 2021 season opener on Sept. 4 vs. Army at Center Parc Stadium, GeorgiaStateSports.com will feature one of the 22 returning starters.

ROGER CARTER
Super Senior, Tight End, Columbia, S.C./Blythewood High School

Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference tight end Roger Carter is a very familiar name to Panther fans, but as he enters his fifth season at Georgia State, he looks a little different. That's because the No. 45 with 76 career receptions for 901 yards and 10 touchdowns has changed to jersey No. 5 for 2021.

Different jersey but same outstanding receiver and blocker who has been a key cog and perhaps an unsung hero in Georgia State's record-setting offenses.

The Columbia, S.C., native is one of seven "Super Seniors" who are returning for the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic. His 10 career TD receptions are tied for sixth in GSU history and tied for first, with Keith Rucker, among tight ends.

Carter has been the team's third-leading receiver while earning all-conference honors each of the last two seasons. In 2020, he finished with 23 catches for 285 yards while ranking second among all Sun Belt tight ends with four TD receptions, while in 2019, he totaled 28 receptions for 334 yards and 3 TDs.

Carter will tell you that a couple of his favorite moments go back to 2017, when he earned playing time as a true freshman. His first collegiate touchdown came in the Panthers' rivalry win at Georgia Southern as his 4-yard touchdown catch pulled GSU within 17-14 late in the third quarter, setting the stage for Penny Hart's game-winning catch with two-and-a-half minutes to play.

Later that season, he was involved in one of the most memorable plays in program history with his touchdown catch vs. Western Kentucky in the AutoNation Cure Bowl. The 42-yard reception on the end of a double-reverse flea flicker put the Panthers ahead for good late in the third quarter, sending the Panthers to their first bowl victory.

Panther fans can expect more memorable catches and big plays from the tight end position in 2021, but just be sure to look for No. 5.

Season tickets for the 2021 season are on sale now by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/TIX or calling 404-413-4160.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Roger Carter: TE; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Roger Carter
: 6' 2"; Senior
: TE

Players Mentioned

#5 Roger Carter

Players Mentioned

#5 Roger Carter