2017 Georgia State Panthers football team

2017 Georgia State Panthers football
Cure Bowl champion
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
Record7–5 (5–3 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTravis Trickett (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorNate Fuqua (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumGeorgia State Stadium
Seasons
← 2016
2018 →
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. He was hired in December 2016 ahead of the 2017 season.[1] 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 eighth 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.

Offseason

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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars   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:3/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   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:3/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   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:3/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars   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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars   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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPNN/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:[2]

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.[3] 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 canceled 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 canceled during the second week of the season due to Hurricane Irma.[4][5]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.Tennessee State*ESPN3L 10–1724,333
September 167:30 p.m.at No. 5 Penn State*BTNL 0–56102,746
September 236:00 p.m.at Charlotte*Peachtree TVW 28–011,029
October 76:30 p.m.at Coastal CarolinaESPN3W 27–2115,991
October 145:00 p.m.at Louisiana–MonroeESPN3W 47–3712,578
October 212:00 p.m.Troy
  • Georgia State Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN3L 10–3415,388
October 267:30 p.m.South Alabama
  • Georgia State Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPNUW 21–1312,125
November 43:00 p.m.at Georgia SouthernESPN3W 21–1718,722
November 114:00 p.m.at Texas StateESPN3W 33–3014,017
November 252:00 p.m.Appalachian State
  • Georgia State Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN3L 10–3113,154
December 22:00 p.m.Idaho
  • Georgia State Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN3L 10–2414,163
December 162:30 p.m.vs. Western Kentucky*CBSSNW 27–1719,585
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
Schedule source:[6]

Game summaries

Tennessee State

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

At Charlotte

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

At Coastal Carolina

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

At Louisiana–Monroe

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

Troy

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

South Alabama

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

At Georgia Southern

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

At Texas State

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

Appalachian State

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

Idaho

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

Roster

2017 Georgia State Panthers Football

Quarterback

  • 2 Jaquez Parks – Redshirt junior (6'1, 205)
  • 7 Conner Manning – Redshirt senior (6'1, 205)
  • 10 Ruggiero DeLuca – Redshirt junior (6'3, 225)
  • 11 Aaron Winchester – Redshirt junior (6'2, 190)
  • 16 Joshua ShimRedshirt freshman (6'0, 205)

Running back

  • 1 Kendrick Dorn – Redshirt senior (6'0, 205)
  • 5 Tra Barnett – sophomore (5'10, 180)
  • 8 Taz Bateman – Redshirt junior (5'8, 190)
  • 17 Glenn Smith – senior (6'1, 200)
  • 23 Darius Stubbs – sophomore (5'10, 200) *
  • 24 Anthony Valverde – Redshirt junior (5'10, 205)
  • 25 Kyler Neal – Redshirt senior (5'11, 215)
  • 28 Demarcus Kirk – Redshirt junior (6'0, 206)
  • 43 Deandre Bowman – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 48 Maurice Lauchner – Redshirt junior (5'9, 205)

Wide receiver

  • 4 Jawan Nobles – sophomore (6'3, 180)
  • 6 Jonathan Ifedi – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 195)
  • 14 Devin Gentry – sophomore (5'10, 190)
  • 15 Todd Boyd – senior (5'11, 185)
  • 18 Penny HartRedshirt sophomore (5'8, 180)
  • 80 Matlin Marshall – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 190)
  • 82 Chancellor Triplett – senior (6'0, 180)
  • 85 Eric Elder – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 185)
  • 86 Bryson Duckworth – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 215)
  • Bryan Hypolite – Redshirt junior (5'11, 180)

Tight end

  • 46 Jacob Nesmith – Redshirt senior (6'3, 270)
  • 49 Brandon Hamilton – Redshirt senior (6'2, 230)
  • 84 Bill Teknipp – Redshirt senior (6'4, 245)
  • 88 Ari Werts – junior (6'4, 225)
  • 89 Michael Kouassi – Redshirt freshman . (6'4, 220)

Placekicker

  • 93 Brandon WrightRedshirt sophomore (5'10, 180)
  • 98 Jeff Hollingsworth – Redshirt freshman (5'7, 175)
 

Offensive Lineman

  • 56 Alex Stoehr – G – senior (6'2, 299)
  • 60 Jaylen Fareed – OL – Redshirt senior (6'1, 310)
  • 63 Davis Moore – OL – Redshirt senior (6'4, 299)
  • 65 Shamarious Gilmore – OL – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 285)
  • 69 Lucas Johnson – OL – junior (6'4, 285)
  • 70 Chris Sibilia – OL – freshman (6'7, 292)
  • 72 Gabe Mobley – OL – Redshirt junior (6'2, 280)
  • 73 Nick Meyer – OL – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 260)
  • 74 Sebastian Willer – OT – Redshirt senior (6'5, 285)
  • 76 Hunter Atkinson – OT – Redshirt sophomore (6'5, 285)

Defensive Lineman

  • 5 Mackendy Cheridor – DE – Redshirt senior (6'5, 275)
  • 30 Javonte Lain – DE – sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 50 Jamal Paxton – DL – Redshirt junior (6'0, 280)
  • 53 Terry Thomas – DL – sophomore (6'3, 265)
  • 62 Will Cunningham – DL – Redshirt senior (6'2, 270)
  • 68 Mitchell Shea – DL – Redshirt junior (5'10, 225)
  • 91 Julien Laurent – DL – Redshirt senior (6'4, 310)
  • 92 DeQueszman Kelley – DL – Redshirt senior (6'0, 295)
  • 95 Marterious Allen – DE – junior (6'2, 270)
  • 99 Clifford Amazan – DL – sophomore (6'2, 320)

Punter

  • 48 Oliver Holdenson – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 210)
 

Linebacker

  • 3 Ed Curney – Redshirt 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 – Redshirt junior (6'0, 220)
  • 39 Chase Middleton – junior (6'2, 235)
  • 42 Trey Payne – Redshirt senior (6'0, 225)
  • 44 Michael Shaw – Redshirt junior (6'4, 230)
  • 59 Deshaun Faltz – Redshirt senior (6'1, 215)
  • T.J. Arnold – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 210)
  • Warren McWilliams – Redshirt 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 – Redshirt junior (5'10, 180)
  • 20 Bryan Williams – S – Redshirt senior (6'3, 212)
  • 21 Antreal Allen – CB – senior (5'11, 190)
  • 22 Trey Chapman – DB – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 26 Kendrec Grady – S – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 28 David West – DB – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 185)
  • 29 B.J. Clay – CB – senior (6'0, 190)
  • 30 Kyndall Phillips – DB – Redshirt sophomore (6'0, 190)
  • 31 Ronald Peterkin – S – Redshirt junior (6'0, 185)
  • 35 Leander Howard – DB – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 36 Khai Anderson – CB – Redshirt sophomore (5'10, 185)
  • 40 Remy Lazarus – DB – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 41 Blane Cannon – DB – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 170)

Long snappers

  • 54 Daniel Zeigler – Redshirt senior (6'5, 240)
  • 66 Seth-Patrick Holman – junior (5'11, 200)

[7]

References

  1. ^ "Shawn Elliott named Georgia State's new head coach | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  2. ^ 2017 Georgia State Panthers Football Media Guide
  3. ^ "Complete 2016 Football Schedule Announced" (Press release). Georgia State University Department of Athletics. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "MEMPHIS CANCELS SEPT. 30 FOOTBALL GAME AT GEORGIA STATE". GeorgiaStateSports.com. Georgia State University. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Culpepper, JuliaKate E. "Memphis cancels game at Georgia State". ajc. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  6. ^ "2017 Georgia State Panthers Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "2017 Roster". GeorgiaStateSports.com. Georgia State University. Retrieved February 28, 2017.