In 25 years of coaching, Shawn Elliott has seen his share of first practices. But none, he said, has been more special than this year, his fifth since becoming head coach at Georgia State.
“The day when it doesn’t become exciting on the first day is the day you need to get out and walk away,” Elliott said after the Panthers opened their preseason camp Friday at Center Parc Stadium. “We take time off in the summer, so it makes the day even more special.”
It could be a special season for Georgia State, which returns 22 starters from last season’s team that went 6-4 and won the LendingTree Bowl. Ten members of the team were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team. There was a vibe of excitement that permeated the first practice.
“They should be excited,” Elliott said. “The last week we were together as a football team was April. It’s good to get out there and see how some people have matured and how some haven’t.”
The specialists already were in action at Friday’s first practice – all-Sun Belt kicker Noel Ruiz was booming them over the net in the north end zone – when the others began to file onto the field after their position-group meetings. The helmets-and-shorts practice went for two-plus hours with a series of up-tempo, well-paced drills flowing throughout the session. There was even a brief flare-up, which Elliott ended quickly.
All the quarterbacks took their turn throughout the rotation, with returning starter Quad Brown and backups Mikele Colasurdo and Darren Grainger all getting reps. Brown’s confidence has never been higher, but he is being pushed by the competition.
“The thing that excites me the most is the potential and talent that we have,” Brown said. “I feel like that talent and that continuity is going to make us special.”
The running back group of Destin Coates, Tucker Gregg, Jamyest Williams and Marcus Carroll looked quick and determined. The receiving corps showed its depth, from all-conference players like Sam Pinckney and Cornelius McCoy to old hands like Roger Carter and Terrance Dixon.
The defensive guys had to dial back the aggression, but it was obvious that guys like safety Antavious Lane, inside linebacker Blake Carroll, outside linebacker Jontrey Hunter and nose guard Dontae Wilson came ready to play.
“It’s the first day, so we’re trying to get as many reps as possible for every player out there,” Elliott said. “We try to give everyone an opportunity to get out there and taste the game of football, have everyone get out there and play.”
Elliott was in midseason form, too. From popping into the offensive huddle to speak with all-conference guard Shamarious Gilmore to taking a spot on the defensive line during a drill to punting the ball, the coach was ever present.
“I’m trying,” he said. “I can’t ask those guys to go to work if I don’t work.”
Saturday’s practice will be open to the public at 10 a.m. Fans can park in the Green Lot, enter Gate 7 and sit in the East stands to watch. There will even be an opportunity afterward for members of Pounce’s Kids Club to participate in a punt, pass and kick competition on the field.
Georgia State opens the season on Sept. 4 at home against Army.
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