Panthers Hit the Field to Begin Spring Practice Tuesday

ATLANTA -- Coming off the most successful season in program history, the Georgia State Panthers will return to the field for spring practice beginning Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.

The annual Spring Game is scheduled for Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium. Admission to the Spring Game is free - Click here to RSVP.

The Panthers, who won the 2021 TaxAct Camellia Bowl for their school-record eighth victory, will hold 14 practice leading up to the Spring Game.

Head coach Shawn Elliott's squad returns the majority of the play-makers on offense and defense who helped the Panthers win seven of their last eight games to post an 8-5 record, including six Sun Belt Conference victories, another program high.

Georgia State has played in three straight bowl games, including back-to-back victories, for the first time in its history.

"The start of spring is exciting because you start creating your team for next year," Elliott said as he enters his sixth season at the helm. "We've certainly been lifting weights and conditioning, and that's one way to build your team. But now it's time for new positions, new faces, new leaders - all those things start to come to the forefront in these 15 practices.

"We have a lot of anticipation to see our team back on the field. It seems we just got off the field - everyone remembers Christmas Day around here," Elliott continued, referring to the Panthers' bowl win over Ball State.

"We've got a lot of momentum, but our team's going to be different. Not totally different, we do have a lot of returning players, including 10 Super Seniors, and that's an exciting thing for them and for us."

After ranking No. 8 in FBS in rushing, the Panthers return All-Sun Belt running backs Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams, who combined for 1,812 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. Returning starting quarterback Darren Grainger passed for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading Sun Belt quarterbacks with 660 yards rushing. Four starters from the Panthers' strong offensive line return, led by super seniors Malik Sumter and Pat Bartlett, while tight end Auby Payne is back for an unprecedented seventh year.

The GSU defense set school records with 38 sacks and 92 tackles for loss while forcing 21 turnovers. That unit welcomes back five All-Sun Belt defenders including its top three tacklers in linebackers Jordan Veneziale and Blake Carroll and safety Antavious Lane, along with cornerback Quavian White and defensive lineman Thomas Gore.

The Panthers return a total of 10 All-Sun Belt Conference honorees on offense and defense.

Seven newcomers are enrolled this semester and will participate in spring practice: RB KZ Adams, QB Keilon Brown, OL Bryson Broadway, DL Carlos Fletcher, CB Jeremiah Johnson, TE Rykem Laney, and S Chris Smith.

Season tickets for the 2022 season are on sale now by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/Tix or calling 404-413-4020 during business hours.

SPRING PRACTICE DATES
Tuesday, Feb. 22
Thursday, Feb. 24
Friday, Feb. 25
Tuesday, March 1
Thursday, March 3
Friday, March 4
Tuesday, March 8
Thursday, March 9
Spring Break
Tuesday, March 22
Thursday, March 24
Friday, March 25
Tuesday, March 29
Thursday, March 31
SPRING GAME: Friday, April 1

Print Friendly Version