Panthers Open Earliest Spring Practice in Program History

ATLANTA -- "I'm very pleased with the first day," Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott said as his team opened the earliest spring practice in program history.

"Considering it's Feb. 13, we've got some really good weather and we've got some really good attitudes, and we came out here with great effort," Elliott told the media after the Monday morning workout at Center Parc Stadium.

"Getting out here on the field earlier feels really good," he continued. "It's the first time I've ever done it this way. And as long as we have weather like this, we'll continue to do it."

Today's workout was the first of 15 spring practices over the next four weeks. Spring practice will culminate with the annual Spring Game, scheduled for Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium. Admission and parking are free.

The Panthers have approximately 90 players participating in spring practice, including eleven signees (eight transfers and three freshmen) who enrolled this semester.

"Spring is mix and match with ones, twos and threes, and we've got some new guys out here who just enrolled, so certainly there are some things to clean up, but I'm very pleased with what we saw out here," Elliott said.

One player who is not new is two-year starting quarterback Darren Grainger, who returns after passing for 2,443 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 58.6 percent of his passes with seven interceptions in 2022. He was also GSU's leading rusher with 734 yards (No. 9 in Sun Belt) and six touchdowns, and ranked third in the Sun Belt in total offense with 264.8 yards per game.

"To have Darren back is certainly a comforting site. Anytime you have experience, whether it's at the quarterback or any other position, that gives you a comforting feeling." Elliott said.

"We've also got some newcomers who came out here today and did a nice job," he added, referring to Bryson Harrison and Brayland Ragland, a pair of true freshman signal callers who enrolled early.

Another newcomer who caught Elliott's eye today is receiver Jacari Carter, a transfer from Merrimack College, where he caught 125 passes for 1,227 yards and 13 touchdowns in 25 games over the last two seasons.

"It was awesome to watch him out here today," Elliott said. "He is going to be special player. He's a great leader, works extremely hard, and has great hands."

Spring drills continue this week with workouts scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Season tickets for Georgia State's six-game home slate at Center Parc Stadium are on sale now, starting as low as $70. To purchase season tickets, call 404-413-4020 during business hours or visit GeorgiaStateSports.com/TIX.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Darren Grainger: QB; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#9 Jacari Carter: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#4 Bryson Harrison: QB; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Darren Grainger
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: QB

#9 Jacari Carter
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: WR

#4 Bryson Harrison
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: QB

Players Mentioned

#3 Darren Grainger

#9 Jacari Carter

#4 Bryson Harrison

Players Mentioned

#3 Darren Grainger

#9 Jacari Carter

#4 Bryson Harrison