After consecutive 6-7 seasons for Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton, the Eagles are searching for the program’s first winning record since 2020.
With a handful of key players, like quarterback Davis Brin and offensive tackle Rasheed Miller, no longer on the roster, Helton will need to lean on reliable returners to right the ship in 2023.
Who are the Georgia Southern Eagles’ top 10 returning players in 2024?
Georgia Southern Eagles Top 10 Returning Players
10) Dalen Cobb, WR/KR
Appearing in 12 games with four starts, Dalen Cobb caught 40 passes for 601 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 21.8 yards on 13 kickoff returns.
Now an upperclassman as a junior, Cobb’s role is expected to increase in 2024, especially with a new quarterback in town.
9) Marc Stampley II, S
A starter since his true freshman season in 2022, Marc Stampley II is a member of a strong backend unit for the Eagles. In 10 starts last season, he racked up 56 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, three pass breakups, and an interception.
8) Pichon Wimbley, LG
A two-year starter since his true freshman season in 2022, Pichon Wimbley has started the last 26 consecutive games at left guard. Listed at 6’2″, 300 pounds, Wimbley, along with center Chadler Strong, are welcome returners for an offensive line unit that has some vacancies.
7) Tyrell Davis, S
While he appeared in all 13 games, Tyrell Davis only made six starts last season, with most of his time coming off the bench. He recorded 65 tackles, five for a loss, three pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery last year.
6) Davion Rhodes, DE
After waiting in the wings his first two seasons in Statesboro, Davion Rhodes made the most of his full-time opportunity in 2023. Starting all 13 games, Rhodes racked up 39 tackles, five for a loss, one sack, and two passes batted down at the line.
5) TJ Smith, S
An All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention last season, TJ Smith started all 13 games for the Eagles. The Kansas State transfer recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, and six pass breakups last year.
4) Issac Walker, DE
Issac Walker earned a 2023 All-Sun Belt Third Team selection after tallying 24 tackles, 8.5 for loss, six sacks, seven pass breakups, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Listed at 6’2″, 235 pounds, Walker heads into his redshirt junior season as an integral piece to a formidable front seven.
3) Derwin Burgess, WR
Earning an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2022 and 2023, Derwin Burgess returns to Statesboro for his senior season as a four-year starter. He has 149 catches, 1,841 yards, and 14 touchdowns for his career, averaging 12.4 yards per catch.
Last season, Burgess hauled in 74 passes for 813 yards and six touchdowns. He could even see an increase in production with Indiana transfer Dexter Williams replacing Brin.
2) Jalen White, RB
A fifth-year senior who spent his entire career playing for Georgia Southern, Jalen White is coming off consecutive All-Sun Belt Third Team selections after just missing out on 1,000 yards in 2022 (914) and 2023 (889). He has 2,272 career rushing yards with 23 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 410 career totes.
1) Marques Watson-Trent, LB
An All-Sun Belt selection each of the last two years — Second Team in 2022 and First Team in 2023 — Marques Watson-Trent has 236 combined tackles over the last two seasons.
In 2023, Watson-Trent registered 122 tackles, 13 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and four pass defenses.
Now a redshirt senior in his fifth year in Statesboro, Watson-Trent is one of the most feared linebackers in the Sun Belt Conference.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!