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.

MICHAEL HAYES
P, R-Sophomore, Florence, S.C.

In addition to returning 11 starters on offense and nine on defense, Georgia State welcomes back both of its starting kickers, including sophomore punter Michael Hayes.

Hayes earned the starting nod as a redshirt freshman in 2020 and performed well, averaging 40.4 yards on 50 punts, with a net of 39.6 yards per kick, including one touchback in 10 games.
 
When starting placekicker Noel Ruiz was unavailable for last season's game at South Alabama, Hayes showed his versatility by handling the placekicking and kickoffs in addition to his punting duties. He was perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal that gave the Panthers a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter, helping GSU to a 31-14 victory. That was also one of his best punting games as he netted 44.2 yards on four punts, including a season-long 58-yard boot that was downed at the 3-yard line.

After his solid debut season, Hayes already ranks fourth in GSU history in career punts and punting yards and fifth with in punting average.

Hayes also serves as the holder for Ruiz, the first-team All-Sun Belt Conference placekicker who led the league with 1.44 field goals per game, making 13-of-16 field goals and 33-of-35 extra points.

The Florence, S.C., native is an outstanding student who has made the Georgia State President's List or Dean's List every semester.

Get your season tickets now by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/TIX or calling 404-413-4160.