GEORGIA STATE SIGNEES
Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown
Cloves Campbell, S, 6-1, 205, Phoenix
Ed Curney, LB 5-11, 220, Atlanta
Kendrick Dorn, RB, 6-0, 205, Fontana, Calif.
Marquan Greene, WR, 5-10, 180, Moultrie
Penny Hart, WR, 5-9, 170, Atlanta
Melliek Jackson, S, 5-11, 185, Miami
Lucas Johnson, OL, 6-4, 285, Cartersville
DeQueszman Kelley, DL, 6-0, 285, Buena Vista
Julien Laurent, DL, 6-4, 315, Toronto
Matlin Marshall, ATH, 5-10, 170, Evans
Chase Middleton, LB, 6-2, 225, Atlanta
Kameron Myers, WR, 5-8, 175, Charleston, Miss.
Charlie Patrick, LB, 6-0, 215, Atlanta
Kaleb Ringer, LB, 6-0, 235, Claymont, Ohio
Dom Roldan, OL, 6-6, 350, Virginia Beach, Va.
Tyler Simonsen, OL, 6-4, 310, Redlands, Calif.
Ari Werts, TE, 6-4, 225, Stone Mountain
Aaron Winchester, QB, 6-2, 170, Atlanta
Georgia State had a mostly quiet signing day because its coaches focused most of their attention on signing junior-college players and transfers from UAB.
On Wednesday, 10 high school players in a 24-player class joined eight players from junior colleges and six former Blazers enrolled in school.
The focus, as coach Trent Miles said after the season, was on improving a defense that was one of the worst in FBS last season. The Panthers gave up averages of 43.3 points and 497.1 yards per game in an 1-11 season.
“We feel like we brought the right type of people and the right fit,” Miles said. “They are the type of young men we want. But where we are at in our program … you aren’t going to fix everything right away. It’s still a work in progress.”
Of the transfers, seven are slotted for defense. Bringing strength up the middle are 315-pound nose guard Julien Laurent, defensive tackle/end DeQueszman Kelley, inside linebackers Alonzo McGee and Kaleb Ringer and safeties Bobby Baker and former junior-college player Cloves Campbell, who had seven interceptions last season.
Three of the transfers, led by 350-pound Dom Roldan, will boost an offensive line that lost two starters to graduation. Kendrick Dorn, a highly rated junior-college transfer, and former Blazer Demarcus Kirk, will compete at running back that needs strengthening after Kyler Neal and Jonathan Jean-Bart suffered season-ending injuries last year. Miles said Neal is 100 percent and that Jean-Bart will take a medical hardship, which will end a career that included three knee injuries. Additionally, Marcus Caffey, who moved to running back last year after those two players went down, will move back to cornerback, which is where he will stay.
Of the transfers, only a few of the players will be seniors. The rest will have at least two years of eligibility. Baker will be a senior, but hopes to receive a redshirt for last year after sustaining a season-ending injury.
Miles said the former UAB players, such as Baker, are mixing in well with their new teammates.
“They’ve done a great job blending in with the team and the chemistry they are developing with the rest of the players has been great so far,” Miles said.
In addition to their experience, the other benefit to so many players enrolling in the spring is an estimated 95 percent of the fall roster already is on campus. That group includes three former high school players, tight end Ari Werts, linebacker Ed Curney and offensive lineman Lucas Johnson, who signed last year but enrolled in the spring and will participate in the practices that begin March 9.
“It’s huge,” Miles said. “These are the guys who are going to be playing, for the most part, this fall. For them to bond together, work together, lift together, run together, hang out together on the weekends, starting now, it’s a huge advantage for us.”
Etc.: Miles said several players who suffered season-ending injuries last year are regaining health. Outside linebacker Mackendy Cheridor (knee) and offensive tackle Mike Ivory (foot) are working out and should be able to participate in spring practices. … Linebacker Kight Dallas has returned to the team after a series of concussions sidelined him for almost all of last season. … Offensive lineman Mark Ruskell and wide receiver Nate Minor will take medical hardships, ending their careers. Ruskell may join the coaching staff. … Back-up quarterback Ben McLane will graduate this spring and join the coaching staff in a yet-to-be-determined capacity. … Miles estimates the Panthers will be up to 82 scholarships.
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