Because he sat out a year, Andrew Everett has possibly been overlooked as a potential impact player for Georgia State's football team.
Setting him apart from many of the FBS transfers who have come to Georgia State, Everett played for his previous school and played well. He started 26 games at Old Dominion between the 2013 and ‘14 seasons, making 77 tackles.
The former Collins High standout left Norfolk for Atlanta because he said he wanted to be closer to home. Now, after sitting out a year per NCAA rules, he may start at outside linebacker, boosting a Georgia State defense that returns nine starters and should be very strong.
“I feel like I fit better with the system,” he said. “I feel great with the guys here.”
Everett brings size (6-5, 240 pounds) and athleticism to the position so that he can support the run or drop in to pass coverage. If paired with Michael Shaw or James Traylor at the other outside linebacker or rush end spot, the Panthers should be able to bring speed around the corners of the offensive line and boost a pass rush that had just 18 sacks last season.
“(I expect) An outstanding season,” coach Trent Miles said. “He’s played a lot of football. I just want him to learn what we are asking him to do and go out and play to his ability.”
Everett was part of winning teams at Old Dominion and said he began to see some of the same things happening last season at Georgia State that he saw while living in Hampton Roads.
“When we had success at ODU, it was rally close guys,” he said. “We all worked together, especially on defense. You can see the same similarities here. We knew what we had and what we are capable of. We knew we had to keep working hard to come together. Toward the end it started to show.”
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