While most of this first Panther football roster is made up of freshmen and some sophomores, there are actually a few transfers that are here and practicing with the team. Center Ben Jacoby, from Buford High School, came in after two seasons at Ball State, where he was a reserve offensive lineman on the Cardinals’ 2008 squad that won the MAC West Division title and played in the GMAC Bowl. Linebacker Brad Chahoy, from Dacula High School, played some on special teams at Georgia Southern in 2008 before transferring. Punter Brandon Lupo is a senior who spent time at Kentucky while wide receiver Sidney Haynes played two seasons at the University of Central Florida.
Defensive back Brandon Jones spent two seasons at Mars Hill College following his high school career at Southwest DeKalb. In a web site interview on GeorgiaStateSports.com, Jones was asked about the transition from Mars Hill to being a walk-on with the Panthers: “As a walk-on it’s been tough, really tough. I’m out here trying to succeed and earn a scholarship. Also, school-wise, it’s a lot of work. Other than that, the campus life here I can say is pretty nice.”
Jones also talked about how the defensive unit is coming together: “I think the defense is coming along just fine. I feel like everybody is coming together. Coach Thompson [defensive coordinator John Thompson] has got us all focused and in the secondary Coach Midget [Anthony Midget] has everybody coming together, so I think we are going to be just fine once the season starts.” Georgia State football kicks off on Sept. 2, 2010 in the Georgia Dome.
HOOPS ABOUT TO TIP OFF …
I spent some time with the Panthers men’s basketball team at the annual media day last week as they get ready to open the season. They’ll do so at N.C. State on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Panthers’ strength this season will be in the backcourt, where they return third-team All-CAA point guard Joe Dukes and shooting guard Trae Goldston. Transfer Marques Johnson should hopefully make an impact offensively and help increase the team’s per-game scoring average.
A couple of former Panthers have landed coaching jobs. Travis Williams is an assistant at Tennessee State, while Rodney Hamilton has been named head coach of the women’s basketball program at Indiana Tech, an NAIA institution in Indianapolis.
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