Tight Ends Make the Offense Go

ATLANTA -- If tight ends are like the Swiss Army knives of an offense because they do so many things, then the Georgia State Panthers have some pretty handy tools in their pockets, led by two-time all-conference honoree Roger Carter.

Georgia State opens the season in just three weeks, hosting Army on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Center Parc Stadium in a noon game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 404-413-4160 or visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/TIX.

"The tight end is kind of what makes us go," tight ends coach Josh Stepp explained as the Panthers continue preseason drills. "Obviously it all starts up front with the o-line and the quarterback has got a lot on him, but in our offense, the tight end is the adjuster. He makes all the pieces to the puzzle fit. They've got all the run game, all the pass game, all the protections."

"Those kids have a lot of their plate, but they embrace it," Stepp added. "It's a fun position to play and it's a fun position to coach, and I'm excited to see them play this fall."

They must be doing their job well, because the Georgia State offense set a school-record by scoring 33.3 points per game last fall. Over the last two seasons, the Panthers have excelled on the ground and through the air, averaging more than 212 yards rushing and 220 yards passing per game.

It starts with Carter, the "super senior" from Columbia, S.C., and Blythewood High School. He is a three-year starter with 76 career receptions for 901 yards and 10 touchdowns in 44 games. His 10 career touchdowns are tied for the most ever by a GSU tight end.

Last season, Carter was the team's third-leading receiver with 23 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns. He is also a key blocker in the Panthers' strong running game.

"It's crazy to see the maturation process of that kid from when we recruited him to where he is now," Stepp said. "He's done a phenomenal job and he's gotten better every year. He's one of the leaders of our group, helping those young kids and explaining to them what the expectations are, from the meeting room to the weight room to the practice field."

"I'm looking for big things from him this fall."

This summer Carter has been named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference second team as well as the watch lists for the John Mackey Award and the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Carter and fellow senior Aubry Payne give Georgia State one of the top tight end tandems in the Sun Belt and the nation. Payne was slowed by injuries last fall, but in 2020 he earned second-team all-conference honors with six touchdown receptions in 11 games. One of those was the game-winning touchdown against Army, the Panthers' opening opponent this fall.

"We work together well, and it's fun to be out here with your brothers," Carter said. "It's an important position. We have to do everything on the field, so it's hard to have a perfect day, but we try to get better every day at blocking, running routes, catching the ball."

Stepp, in his fifth year coaching the Panthers' tight ends, said, "It's as deep as we've ever been, with Roger and Aubry leading the way and setting the standard. Then you've got Herman McCray, coming off an injury and working hard to come back, and the two young kids, Ahmon Green and Kris Byrd. They've gotten better ever single day.

"I feel like we've got four or five kids who can go out there and get the job done, so I'm excited to see that group as a whole this fall."

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Players Mentioned

#84 Kris Byrd: TE; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

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

#85 Ahmon Green: TE; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#35 Herman McCray: TE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

#88 Aubry Payne: TE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

#84 Kris Byrd
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: TE

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

#85 Ahmon Green
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: TE

#35 Herman McCray
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: TE

#88 Aubry Payne
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: TE