2017 Georgia State Panthers football team

football

2017 Sun Belt Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Troy +		7	–	1					11	–	2
Appalachian State +		7	–	1					9	–	4
Arkansas State		6	–	2					7	–	5
Georgia State		5	–	3					7	–	5
New Mexico State		4	–	4					7	–	6
Louisiana		4	–	4					5	–	7
Louisiana–Monroe		4	–	4					4	–	8
Idaho		3	–	5					4	–	8
South Alabama		3	–	5					4	–	8
Coastal Carolina *		2	–	6					3	–	9
Georgia Southern		2	–	6					2	–	10
Texas State		1	–	7					2	–	10
+ – Conference co-champions * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules

The 2017 Georgia State Panthers football team represented Georgia State University (GSU) in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by first-year head coach Shawn Elliott. The season marked the first in which they played in the newly acquired Georgia State Stadium, a renovated Turner Field with artificial turf and a 22,000 person capacity. The season was the Panthers' fifth in the Sun Belt Conference and seventh since starting football. The Panthers finished the season 7–5, 5–3 in Sun Belt play to finish in fourth place. They received an invite to the Cure Bowl, where Georgia State defeated Western Kentucky for the Panthers' first bowl win in program history.

Previous season

In 2016, the Panthers regressed from their previous season, managing a 3–9 season. By their penultimate game, the university fired previous head coach Trent Miles. At the same time, the Panthers ended their tenure at the Georgia Dome, with a new on-campus stadium, Georgia State Stadium, being built out of the former Turner Field.

Offseason

2017 NFL Draft

See also: 2017 NFL Draft

Panthers picked in the 2017 NFL Draft:

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Team
6	209	Robert Davis	WR	Washington Redskins

Recruits

As of December 21, 2016, the Panthers have a total of 20 recruits committed. Eight are three-star recruits.

Back	B		Center	C		Cornerback	CB		Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE		Defensive lineman	DL		Defensive tackle	DT		End	E
Fullback	FB		Guard	G		Halfback	HB		Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR		Offensive tackle	OT		Offensive lineman	OL		Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS		Punter	P		Punt returner	PR		Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB		Safety	S		Tight end	TE		Wide receiver	WR

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Chris Sibilia OT	Suwanee, GA	North Gwinnett High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	-	Jul 19, 2016
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 68
Connor Robins OT	Saint Augustine, FL	Pedro Menendez High School	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	330 lb (150 kg)	-	Jan 21, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 71
Jack Walker QB	Madison, MS	Madison Central High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	-	Jan 18, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 72
Jaylon Jones S	Dacula, GA	Dacula High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	-	Jan 15, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Jalen Jackson G	Loganville, GA	Grayson High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	300 lb (140 kg)	-	Jan 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 73
Pat Bartlett C	Newtown, PA	Council Rock High School North	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	-	Jan 15, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 73
Chris Bacon S	Atlanta, GA	Westlake High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	181 lb (82 kg)	-	Jan 15, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Roger Carter TE	Blythewood, SC	Blythewood High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	-	Jan 29, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 69
Tamir Jones WR	Norcross, GA	Norcross High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	194 lb (88 kg)	-	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 75
Kerryon Richardson CB	West Columbia, SC	Airport High School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	-	Dec 15, 2016
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Trajan McQueen LB	Charlotte, NC	West Mecklenburg High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	-	Jan 16, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Camryn Johnson WR	St. Matthews, SC	Calhoun County High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	-	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Dontae Wilson DT	Jefferson, GA	Jefferson High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	-	Jan 30, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Victor Heywood LB	Hoschton, GA	Mill Creek High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	-	Oct 31, 2016
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Deandre Applin S	Milledgeville, GA	Georgia Military College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.89	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Jalen Wade LB	Milledgeville, GA	Georgia Military College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	-	Jan 15, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Malik Sumter DT	Irmo, SC	Dutch Fork High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	284 lb (129 kg)	-	Jan 21, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 68
Jhi'Shawn Taylor LB	Cordele, GA	Crisp County High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	-	Jan 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Kevin Kwapis OT	Council Bluffs, IA	Iowa Western Community College	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	315 lb (143 kg)	-	Jan 30, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Hardrick Willis DE	Jonesboro, GA	Mundy's Mill High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	-	Jan 22, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A   ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 124   247Sports: 99  ESPN: 101
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 9, 2017.

Coaching and support staff

Name	Position	Consecutive season at Georgia State in current position
Shawn Elliott	Head coach	1st
Travis Trickett	Offensive coordinator, quarterback	1st
Nate Fuqua	Defensive coordinator, outside linebackers	1st
Chris Collins	Assistant coach, safeties	1st
Skylor Magee	Assistant coach, defensive line	1st
Trent McKnight	Assistant coach, wide receivers	1st
Sam Shade	Assistant coach, cornerbacks	1st
Josh Stepp	Assistant coach, running backs, tight endss	1st
Cedric Williams	Assistant coach, offensive line	1st
Rusty Wright	Assistant coach, inside linebacker	1st
Ben McLane	Graduate assistant, offense	2nd
Steve Wojcikowski	Director of football operations	1st
Scott Holsopple	Head strength and conditioning coach	2nd
Bob Murphy	Associate AD, sports medicine and nutrition	2nd
Tim Davis	Equipment manager	2nd
Reference:

Schedule

Georgia State announced its 2017 football schedule on March 1, 2017. The 2017 schedule consisted of 6 home and away games in the regular season. The Panthers hosted Sun Belt foes Troy, South Alabama, Appalachian State, and Idaho, and traveled to Coastal Carolina, ULM, Georgia Southern, and Texas State. Georgia State did not play two Sun Belt teams this season, Louisiana and New Mexico State. The team played three non–conference games, one home game against Tennessee State from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), and two road games against Penn State from the Big Ten and Charlotte from Conference USA.

The scheduled home game against Memphis was cancelled when the AAC bought out the contract between the schools for $1.1 million to reschedule a conference game between Memphis and UCF that was cancelled during the second week of the season due to Hurricane Irma.

August 317:00 p.m.Tennessee State*

• Georgia State Stadium
• Atlanta, GA

ESPN3L 10–17 24,333 September 167:30 p.m.at No. 5 Penn State*

• Beaver Stadium
• University Park, PA

BTNL 0–56 102,746 September 236:00 p.m.at Charlotte*

• Jerry Richardson Stadium
• Charlotte, NC

Peachtree TVW 28–0 11,029

|-bgcolor="#F2F2F2" | September 30 | | Memphis* | Georgia State Stadium • Atlanta, GA | | Canceled | |-≈

October 76:30 p.m.at Coastal Carolina

• Brooks Stadium
• Conway, SC

ESPN3W 27–21 15,991 October 145:00 p.m.at Louisiana–Monroe

• Malone Stadium
• Monroe, LA

ESPN3W 47–37 12,578 October 212:00 p.m.Troy

• Georgia State Stadium
• Atlanta, GA

ESPN3L 10–34 15,388 October 267:30 p.m.South Alabama

• Georgia State Stadium
• Atlanta, GA

ESPNUW 21–13 12,125 November 43:00 p.m.at Georgia Southern

• Paulson Stadium
• Statesboro, GA (rivalry)

ESPN3W 21–17 18,722 November 114:00 p.m.at Texas State

• Bobcat Stadium
• San Marcos, TX

ESPN3W 33–30 14,017 November 252:00 p.m.Appalachian State

• Georgia State Stadium
• Atlanta, GA

ESPN3L 10–31 13,154 December 22:00 p.m.Idaho

• Georgia State Stadium
• Atlanta, GA

ESPN3L 10–24 14,163 December 162:30 p.m.vs. Western Kentucky*

• Camping World Stadium
• Orlando, FL (Cure Bowl)

CBSSNW 27–1719,585

Schedule source:

Game summaries

Tennessee State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	3	7	7	0	17
Panthers	0	3	0	7	10

See also: 2017 Tennessee State Tigers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

• First game at Georgia State Stadium.

at Penn State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	0	0	0	0
Nittany Lions	14	21	14	7	56

See also: 2017 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

at Charlotte

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	14	0	14	28
49ers	0	0	0	0	0

See also: 2017 Charlotte 49ers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–1	2015	CHAR, 23–20

at Coastal Carolina

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	14	7	0	6	27
Chanticleers	0	7	0	14	21

See also: 2017 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

at Louisiana–Monroe

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	13	13	14	7	47
Warhawks	10	0	14	13	37

See also: 2017 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–2	2016	ULM, 37–23

Troy

	1	2	3	4	Total
Trojans	7	14	10	3	34
Panthers	3	0	0	7	10

See also: 2017 Troy Trojans football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–3	2016	TROY, 31–21

South Alabama

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	0	3	3	7	13
Panthers	7	7	0	7	21

See also: 2017 South Alabama Jaguars football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–4	2016	USA, 13–10

at Georgia Southern

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	0	7	7	21
Eagles	7	3	7	0	17

See also: 2017 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–1	2016	GSU, 30–24

at Texas State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	10	3	10	10	33
Bobcats	7	7	3	13	30

See also: 2017 Texas State Bobcats football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–2	2016	GSU, 41–21

Appalachian State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	0	10	14	7	31
Panthers	0	7	0	3	10

See also: 2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–3	2016	APP, 34–7

Idaho

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vandals	7	7	3	7	24
Panthers	7	3	0	0	10

See also: 2017 Idaho Vandals football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–0	2016	IDA, 37–12

• This was the Vandals' final game as an FBS member for the foreseeable future. Idaho football will downgrade to FCS, joining the school's other sports in the Big Sky Conference for 2018 and beyond.

vs Western Kentucky–Cure Bowl

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hilltoppers	7	3	0	7	17
Panthers	10	3	7	7	27

See also: 2017 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team and 2017 Cure Bowl

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–1	2013	WKU, 44–28

Roster

2017 Georgia State Panthers Football
Quarterback 2 Jaquez Parks - Junior (6'1, 205) 7 Conner Manning - Senior (6'1, 205) 10 Ruggiero DeLuca - Junior (6'3, 225) 11 Aaron Winchester - Junior (6'2, 190) 16 Joshua Shim - Freshman (6'0, 205) Running Back 1 Kendrick Dorn - Senior (6'0, 205) 5 Tra Barnett - Sophomore (5'10, 180) 8 Taz Bateman - Junior (5'8, 190) 17 Glenn Smith - Senior (6'1, 200) 23 Darius Stubbs - Sophomore (5'10, 200) * 24 Anthony Valverde - Junior (5'10, 205) 25 Kyler Neal - Senior (5'11, 215) 28 Demarcus Kirk - Junior (6'0, 206) 43 Deandre Bowman - Freshman (5'10, 180) 48 Maurice Lauchner - Junior (5'9, 205) Wide Receiver 4 Jawan Nobles - Sophomore (6'3, 180) 6 Jonathan Ifedi - ' Freshman (6'0, 195) 14 Devin Gentry - Sophomore (5'10, 190) 15 Todd Boyd - Senior (5'11, 185) 18 Penny Hart - Sophomore (5'8, 180) 80 Matlin Marshall - ' Freshman (5'9, 190) 82 Chancellor Triplett - Senior (6'0, 180) 85 Eric Elder - Freshman (6'0, 185) 86 Bryson Duckworth - Freshman (6'4, 215) Bryan Hypolite - ' Junior (5'11, 180) Tight End 46 Jacob Nesmith - Senior (6'3, 270) 49 Brandon Hamilton - Senior (6'2, 230) 84 Bill Teknipp - Senior (6'4, 245) 88 Ari Werts - Junior (6'4, 225) 89 Michael Kouassi - Freshman . (6'4, 220) Placekicker 93 Brandon Wright - Sophomore (5'10, 180) 98 Jeff Hollingsworth - Freshman (5'7, 175)		Offensive Lineman 56 Alex Stoehr - G - Senior (6'2, 299) 60 Jaylen Fareed - OL - Senior (6'1, 310) 63 Davis Moore - OL - Senior (6'4, 299) 65 Shamarious Gilmore - OL - Freshman (6'3, 285) 69 Lucas Johnson - OL - Junior (6'4, 285) 70 Chris Sibilia - OL - Freshman (6'7, 292) 72 Gabe Mobley - OL - Junior (6'2, 280) 73 Nick Meyer - OL - Freshman (6'5, 260) 74 Sebastian Willer - OT - Senior (6'5, 285) 76 Hunter Atkinson - OT - Sophomore (6'5, 285) Defensive Lineman 5 Mackendy Cheridor - DE - Senior (6'5, 275) 30 Javonte Lain - DE - Sophomore (6'2, 230) 50 Jamal Paxton - DL - Junior (6'0, 280) 53 Terry Thomas - DL - Sophomore (6'3, 265) 62 Will Cunningham - DL - Senior (6'2, 270) 68 Mitchell Shea - DL - Junior (5'10, 225) 91 Julien Laurent - DL - Senior (6'4, 310) 92 DeQueszman Kelley - DL - Senior (6'0, 295) 95 Marterious Allen - DE - Junior (6'2, 270) 99 Clifford Amazan - DL - Sophomore (6'2, 320) Punter 48 Oliver Holdenson - Sophomore (6'1, 210)		Linebacker 3 Ed Curney - Sophomore (5'11, 225) 13 Charlie Patrick - Sophomore (6'0, 225) 32 Malik Ricks - Senior (6'1, 235) 33 James Traylor - Senior (6'3, 230) 34 Niemus Bryant - Junior (6'0, 220) 39 Chase Middleton - Junior (6'2, 235) 42 Trey Payne - Senior (6'0, 225) 44 Michael Shaw - Junior (6'4, 230) 59 Deshaun Faltz - Senior (6'1, 215) T.J. Arnold - Freshman (6'0, 210) Warren McWilliams - Senior (6'0, 210) Defensive Back 9 Cedric Stone - CB - Sophomore (5'10, 185) 10 Chandon Sullivan - CB - Senior (5'11, 195) 16 Jerome Smith - CB - Junior (5'10, 180) 20 Bryan Williams - S - Senior (6'3, 212) 21 Antreal Allen - CB - Senior (5'11, 190) 22 Trey Chapman - DB - Freshman (5'11, 190) 26 Kendrec Grady - S - Freshman (6'2, 215) 28 David West - DB - Sophomore (6'1, 185) 29 B.J. Clay - CB - Senior (6'0, 190) 30 Kyndall Phillips - DB - Sophomore (6'0, 190) 31 Ronald Peterkin - S - Junior (6'0, 185) 35 Leander Howard - DB - Freshman (5'10, 180) 36 Khai Anderson - CB - Sophomore (5'10, 185) 40 Remy Lazarus - DB - Freshman (6'0, 190) 41 Blane Cannon - DB - Freshman (5'9, 170) Long Snappers 54 Daniel Zeigler - Senior (6'5, 240) 66 Seth-Patrick Holman - Junior (5'11, 200)