Cheridor playing offense and defense for Georgia State

The Panthers have had two-way players before. Wide receiver Danny Williams was sometimes used as a defensive back in “Hail Mary” situations because of his leaping ability. Tight end Drew Pearson played at defensive end last season after injuries knocked out most of the first- and second-team players in that position group. He went both ways against James Madison.

But Cheridor is the first to get the chance to play both by choice, rather than necessity.

“We are going to utilize him a lot,” Miles said, adding that Cheridor also will play special teams.

Cheridor said he played tight end and defensive end at Columbia High and was interested in playing both positions at Georgia State.

However, when camp started he played exclusively on defense. Miles said Cheridor moved to tight end to improve the depth and competition at the position.

“It says something for a freshman to come in here and be able to want to be on both sides,” offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. “He’s taken the challenge. Everything’s slow, but it’s moving forward.”

Cheridor said the hardest part has been trying to learn both playbooks, but he said he’s a quick learner, and his teammates are helping. He thinks he’s running the routes well, but knows there’s room to improve. Quarterback Ronnie Bell said Cheridor has good hands. Cheridor said the biggest similarity between the positions is using his hands, either as a blocker or to shed blocks.

Cheridor has the size to play either position. He is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds with a wing span like a condor and a body frame that seems like he can carry much more weight without sacrificing athletic ability, noted by Jagodzinski.

“We recruited him as a body — that type of long body with growth potential — he’s going to be an outstanding All-American defensive end or outstanding tight end,” Miles said. “Hopefully this year he’ll be outstanding at both.”

Kaplan adjusting well: A.J. Kaplan (6-4, 295) has stepped in seamlessly as a starter at right tackle in Grant King's absence because of an academic-related issue. Kaplan said the blocking schemes at Georgia State are similar to what he used the previous two years at Palomar College.

“It was an easy transition for me,” he said.

Kaplan was recruited to play tackle or guard. He said if King returns, he’ll be happy to play either position. That positive attitude is one of the things that Miles said he likes about Kaplan.

“He’s trying to be a leader,” Miles said. “He makes very few mistakes. He’s just a physical player and is doing a great job for us.”

Miles said they are working to help Kaplan stay down. He said it’s natural for a player when learning a new scheme to want to stand up and look around to see where he’s supposed to go. Miles said when Kaplan stays down, good things happen.

“The best part of my game is the physicality,” Kaplan said. “I love running the ball. I like to get my hand down, get some lean on that and get after the ball.”

Woodard healthy: Defensive tackle Terrance Woodard estimates he was 50 percent healthy at the end of last season.

Still, playing with an ankle injury and other knocks that reduced him to basically one strong leg, he finished with 59 tackles and tied for the team lead with two sacks.

This year, Woodard is 100 percent healthy and excited about the new defense in his final season. He said he likes the pace of the defense and that they will “come after” the offense.

“If we execute, we should be good,” he said.

Miles rattled off several things he likes about Woodard, from the football skills such as his ability to penetrate and use his hands to shed blocks, to the leadership that he and Theo Agnew are bringing.

“They bring it every day,” Miles said. “They work.”

Woodard said he wants to build a foundation for the younger players.

“Show them how we work,” he said.