Georgia State walk-on Jamal Paxton receives scholarship

New Georgia State University head football coach Shawn Elliott shares a laugh with members of the media during Monday's tour of the Georgia State Football Stadium, formerly Turner Field.

New Georgia State University head football coach Shawn Elliott shares a laugh with members of the media during Monday's tour of the Georgia State Football Stadium, formerly Turner Field.

Georgia State center and walk-on Jamal Paxton received a full football scholarship on Friday.

During Friday morning’s team meeting, coach Shawn Elliott announced the junior from Scottdale, Ga. earned a football scholarship.

"We've got a young man in this room who I've watched for the last seven months work his tail off, fight for everything, say nothing, do a thankless job," Elliott said during the team meeting, according to Georgia State. "He exemplifies everything we want to be as a team this year. Everything... We have an opportunity at Georgia State to do something for that young man. Right now. We've awarded you a full scholarship."

Last season, Paxton played defensive line for the Panthers, but moved to the offensive line things spring. Since the move, Paxton has earned the second-team center position.

A Tucker High School graduate, Paxton spent one season at Campbellsville University in Kentucky before transferring to Georgia State.