The Georgia State Panthers will have a first-time head coach in Dell McGee after former coach Shawn Elliott left town to coach the tight ends at South Carolina.
Losing their coach after seven seasons, as well as a handful of star players utilizing the transfer portal, who are the top 10 returning players for Georgia State in 2024?
Georgia State Panthers Top 10 Returning Players
10) Liam Rickman, K
Liam Rickman made few field goals during his first year taking on those duties, going 4-for-7 and nailing 33 extra points. He’s the Panthers’ primary kicker in 2024 and looks to build upon his first effort.
9) Josiah Robinson, LB
After transferring from Coastal Carolina, Josiah Robinson broke into the Panthers’ rotation as a redshirt freshman to make 11 appearances and three starts. He racked up 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, setting the foundation for a full-time slate in 2024.
8) Caddarius Thompson, WR
On the Panthers since 2019, Caddarius Thompson brings a wealth of experience. He finished fourth on the team in receiving yards last year with 266 yards and three scores on 25 receptions. For his career, Thompson has 36 catches for 416 yards and four touchdowns.
7) Henry Bryant III, DL
Following three years at Louisville (2020-22), Henry Bryant III transferred to the Panthers last season and started all 13 games.
Listed at 6’0″, 275 pounds, Bryant registered 31 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and three sacks his first season in Atlanta.
6) Trevor Timmons, OL
After the Georgia State offensive line paved the way for the second-best rushing attack in the Sun Belt last year, Trevor Timmons is one of the few returners from that unit with a plethora of transfers coming to Atlanta.
Listed at 6’2″, 283 pounds, Timmons mainly started at right guard but also started at right tackle in the Panthers’ bowl win.
5) Freddie Brock, RB
With Marcus Carroll no longer in the backfield after transferring to Missouri, Freddie Brock’s role is bound to increase in 2024, even if he has to split carries with Coastal Carolina transfer CJ Beasley.
Brock carried just six times for 31 yards through the regular season before erupting in his first FBS start, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He set a school record with 276 yards rushing, propelled by carries of 60, 58, and 43 yards.
4) Kevin Swint, LB
Starting his career at Clemson (2020-2022), Kevin Swint transferred to Georgia State in search of playing time, and he found it in Atlanta.
Swint earned All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors after finishing with 32 tackles, eight for a loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble.
3) Tailique Williams, WR
Of Talique Williams’ 65 career receptions, 49 came last season in a breakout year. His 615 yards and six touchdowns were good for second-best on the team behind Robert Lewis, who is now playing for the Auburn Tigers.
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Williams is likely to see a lot more targets after proving what he can do with extended time last year and Lewis clearing the way with his departure.
2) Gavin Pringle, CB
An All-Sun Belt Third Team selection his first year in Atlanta after four years at Bucknell (2019-22), Gavin Pringle tied for the conference lead in interceptions last year with four, including a game-sealing end zone pick with 30 seconds left against Louisiana.
A seasoned veteran as a sixth-year player, Pringle is one of a handful of staunch defensive leaders returning to the Panthers.
1) Jeremiah Johnson, S
After two seasons at Mississippi Delta Community College, Jeremiah Johnson transferred to Georgia State as a corner in 2022. He switched to safety that year and slowly acclimated throughout the season before exploding onto the scene in 2023.
Johnson rang up 74 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a sack, earning a 2023 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.