Eagles Soar into 2025: Georgia Southern Eyes Sun Belt Championship
STATESBORO, GA – The familiar cry of 'GATA!' echoes across the pines of Statesboro as the Georgia Southern Eagles prepare to launch their 2025 football season. Following a 2024 campaign that showcased flashes of brilliance and a renewed competitive spirit, Clay Helton's squad enters the new year with a clear and ambitious goal: to contend for the Sun Belt Conference championship and earn a spot in the postseason conversation. The foundation built over the past few seasons has cultivated a resilient and exciting team, and the passionate 'Eagle Nation' is ready to witness their beloved program reach new heights.
The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging. The Sun Belt Conference has emerged as one of the most competitive Group of Five leagues in the nation, and every game will demand maximum effort. However, the Eagles possess a compelling blend of returning experience, impactful newcomers from the transfer portal, and a coaching philosophy rooted in a modern, balanced attack that could make them a formidable force. The Commander: Clay Helton's Vision Under the steady hand of Head Coach Clay Helton, Georgia Southern has progressed, shedding its rebuilding phase and embracing a culture of winning as they showed with an 8-3 record last season. Helton's commitment to evolving the program's offensive identity, coupled with a renewed focus on defensive intensity and special teams excellence, has been the driving force behind the Eagles' upward trajectory. His calm demeanor belies a fierce competitive spirit, and his ability to connect with players and foster a tight-knit locker room has been pivotal.
The continuity within his coaching staff is a significant asset. Ryan Aplin continues as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, directing a 'Multiple' offensive scheme that blends traditional run concepts with modern spread and RPO (Run-Pass Option) elecontinued from page
ments. This approach aims to create a truly unique and challenging attack for opposing defenses, utilizing both ground game strength and aerial threats. On the defensive side, Coordinator Brandon Bailey has instilled an aggressive, opportunistic mindset, leading to noticeable improvements in stopping the run and generating turnovers. Offense: The Evolving 'GS Offense' The Georgia Southern offense in 2025 promises to be a thrilling spectacle, building on the explosive plays and deceptive schemes seen in the previous season. The heartbeat of this unit is the returning starting quarterback, JC French. French's command of the intricate offense, combined with his athleticism and improved passing ability, makes him a dual threat who can dissect defenses with his arm or his legs. His experience and leadership will be paramount as the Eagles navigate a demanding schedule. The competition for the backup role will be an important one, ensuring crucial depth for the position.
The running back room, always a cornerstone of the Georgia Southern attack, is once again deep and talented. While not a traditional triple option, the Eagles still prioritize a strong ground game. With the departure of Jalen White, the Eagles will lean on a dynamic duo in OJ Arnold and David Mbadinga as the primary ball carriers. Arnold returns after averaging over five yards per carry in 2024, demonstrating consistent power and vision, while the ultra- quick Mbadinga is poised for a breakout year with his explosive playmaking ability. Both backs are also capable receivers, adding another dimension to the offense.
The offensive line, a unit that thrives on precision blocking and physicality, will be critical to the team's success. With a mix of returning starters and emerging talents, including transfer Weston Wallace, the trenches should consistently open lanes for the run game and provide enough time for French to execute play-action passes and RPOs. Their ability to execute complex blocking schemes will be paramount.
At wide receiver, the Eagles boast a group capable of making big plays when called upon. The addition of transfer Camden Brown from Auburn, and Dylan Gerry from West Georgia will bolster the unit. Leading the charge is veteran Josh Dallas, who returns in the slot after a strong 2024 campaign where he hauled in 46 passes for 614 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. His reliable hands and ability to find seams will be crucial. They will provide French with diverse options on play-action fakes, RPOs, and deep shots. The tight end position, including transfers River Helms and Ahmon Green, will continue to be utilized for crucial blocking assignments and as a reliable outlet for French, especially in critical short-yardage situations. Ryan Aplin's offensive scheme will continue to emphasize misdirection, varied run schemes, and strategic passing plays to keep defenses off balance.
Defense: Aggression and Opportunity The Georgia Southern defense has shown significant improvement under Brandon Bailey, and 2025 aims to continue that upward trend. The defensive line will be a focal point. Davion Rhodes did his part at one edge spot, finishing second on the team in 2024 with six tackles for loss and three sacks, and he will be a key returner. There will be a rotation for the other edge spot, with senior Jacob Ferguson the likely first one getting a look after tallying 3.5 TFL and a sack last season.
The interior of the defensive line, while strong at the top, faces depth challenges. 360-pound Latrell Bullard is back on the nose, making 35 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss in 2024, and he will be joined by Uche Iloh, a talented transfer from Georgia Tech. The pressure is on for these two to hold up and anchor the line, as the depth behind them is relatively thin.
The linebacker corps, often the heart of any defense, has seen some significant movement but retains strong talent. While Marques Watson-Trent transferred to Nebraska after earning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024, the Eagles have capable players to step up. Davon Hicks will be one of the leading tacklers in the middle of the corps after making 43 stops as a key backup in 2024.
Joining the unit is experienced App State transfer Brendan Harrington, who is in his seventh season of college football and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the group. The development of younger linebackers will be crucial for depth and future success, ensuring that the second level remains fast, physical, and capable of defending against both the run and the pass.
There’s a lot to like about the secondary, starting with safety Antonio White, a big get from the transfer portal (Rutgers). Justin Meyers made 61 stops in 2024 and should be a statistical star at strong safety. The corners are even better, with Chance Gamble, an All-Sun Belt playmaker, who led the way with three picks in 2024. He and Tracy Hill combined for 84 stops last season. This unit, bolstered by returning starters and highly touted recruits, and key transfers should be able to hold its own against the Sun Belt's potent passing attacks.
Expect improved coverage, more forced turnovers, and a willingness to come up and support the run. The defensive philosophy under Bailey will continue to be aggressive, aiming to disrupt opposing offenses, create negative plays, and generate takeaways through sacks and interceptions.
Special Teams: The Crucial Third Phase Special teams often prove to be the differencemaker. Donal Dempsey, a promising kicker from Ireland and a former soccer player, signed with the Eagles for the 2025 season and went through spring practice. The punter is Alex Smith, who previously played at ProKick Australia in Melbourne, VIC, bringing an experienced and unique background to the team. Coach Helton places a high emphasis on special teams, and the attention to detail will be evident in their execution, making them a true weapon.
The Road Ahead: Navigating the 2025 Schedule The road to a Sun Belt Conference championship and a potential postseason berth is never easy, and Georgia Southern's 2025 schedule is packed with crucial conference and rivalry matchups. The Eagles dive into their Sun Belt slate on September 27 with a road trip to James Madison, followed by a home game against Southern Miss on October 9. The much-anticipated 'Modern Day Hate' rivalry against Georgia State takes place at home for Homecoming on October 18, before the Eagles travel to face Arkansas State on October 25. November opens with arguably their fiercest rivalry game, the 'Deeper Than Hate' clash at Appalachian State on November 6. They then return home to host Coastal Carolina on November 15 and Old Dominion on November 22 for Senior Day, concluding their regular season conference play with a road game at Marshall on November 29.
If successful, their path could culminate in the Sun Belt Championship on December 5. This schedule presents a formidable challenge. Early season non- conference games against Power Four opponents like USC will provide an opportunity to build momentum and fine-tune schemes and could significantly boost their resume. The Sun Belt slate, however, is where the true challenges lie. Traditional rivals and key matchups against contenders will likely determine the Eagles' standing in the conference. Every game will be a battle, and Georgia Southern's ability to stay healthy, focused, and execute week after week will be paramount. Consistency will be key to navigating this demanding schedule and achieving their championship aspirations.
Recruiting's Impact
The recruiting efforts under Clay Helton have been steadily improving, bringing in talent that fits the evolving offensive and defensive schemes. The blend of experienced veterans and hungry young talent, augmented by strategic transfer portal additions, is a positive sign for the program's long-term health and immediate competitiveness within the Sun Belt. The Outlook: A Season of High Expectations The Georgia Southern Eagles enter the 2025 season with a clear sense of purpose and a tangible opportunity to make serious noise in the Sun Belt Conference. The foundation is solid, the coaching is strong, and the roster is maturing, bolstered by thoughtful transfer acquisitions. While the road ahead is challenging, this team possesses the grit, talent, and evolving offensive and defensive identities to exceed expectations and contend for a conference title. Expect a physical, disciplined, and exciting team that fights for every yard and every possession. The energy around Paulson Stadium will be electric, and 'Eagle Nation' will be ready to witness a season of significant progress and potentially a championship run. The climb continues, and in 2025, the Eagles are poised to soar.
