Georgia State recruiting for defense

Georgia State’s first recruiting class last year came with a bonanza — 20 offensive players.

With less than one month before national signing day, the Panthers have been looking to balance the roster.

While depth always remains a concern, Georgia State has been emphasizing defense for its second recruiting class and has appeared to make great strides.

The Panthers have 24 commitments, including 19 who played defense last year. Two of the Panthers three recent enrollees also are defensive players.

“We have to go after needs,” coach Bill Curry said. “This year defensive players are a priority.”

Of the 19 defensive recruits, seven are linemen, seven are linebackers and five are backs.

The Panthers have also emphasized recruiting experienced defensive players from junior colleges and defensive end Evan Bostic and defensive tackle Karriem Khiry could anchor the line. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Bostic played at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss. Khiry, who is 6-3 and 270, played at Itawamba Community College in Tupelo, Miss.

Olufemi Opanubi, a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker who played at West Los Angeles Community College, is one of three junior college linebackers who GSU recruited.

Jocquez Fears, a 5-9, 185-pound defensive back who played at Northeastern last year, could be a boost to the secondary.

Curry has noticed how much easier recruiting had progressed this year over last year. A year ago, he just wanted to get the word out to players across the state and country about the young program.

This year, with the season-opener against Shorter less than nine months away, people have gotten the word about the Panthers program and have shown interest in the team.

“I think the reception for us has been better this year,” Curry said.

eOf those players already enrolled, Curry said the team had a 2.7 cumulative grade-point average, which shows that the players have been serious about school work.

If the recruiting season continues to be as promising as Curry expects, Georgia State could have between 50 to 65 scholarship players and 25 to 30 walk-ons on its roster.

“You always worry about depth in college football,” Curry said.

Georgia State football commitment list

Name/School/Height/Weight/Position

Christo Bilukidi/Eastern Arizona Junior College/6-4/295/DE

Evan Bostic/Jones County Junior College/6-3/230/DE

Demetrius Bryant/Hinds Community College)/6-2/240/LB

Jocquez Fears/Northeastern University/5-9/185/DB

Alex Findura/Woodland (Stockbridge)/6-5/235/DE

Aaron Gambrah/Riverside Military (Locust Grove)/6-2/200/LB

Joey Gilkey/Etowah (Woodstock)/6-2/240/TE

Emanuel Gilmore/Dublin (Dublin)/6-4/335/DT

Isaiah Howard/American Heritage (Boynton Beach, Fla.)/5-11/165/DB

Justin Hughes/Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie, Fla.)/5-9/165/C

Blake James/Little Rock Central (Little Rock, Ark.)/6-1/220/LB

Kalan Jenkins/Navarro College/6-5/245/TE

Khiry Karriem/Itawamba Community College/6-3/270/DT

Sherrod Loud/Worth County (Albany)/6-1/285/NG

Manumalo Mausau/Phoenix College/6-2/235/LB

Tuugalue Mausau/Phoenix College/6-0/235/LB

Demarius Matthews/McEachern (Powder Springs)/5-10/165/CB

Olufemi Opanubi/West L.A. Community College/6-1/215/LB

Eric O’Donkor/Peachtree Ridge (Duluth)/5-11/210/S

Drew Pearson/Pepperell (Lindale)/6-5/220/TE