Georgia State Football: Panthers developing young team in 2020

Panthers need to get more aggressive on defense

The Panthers had a difficult time stopping the opposing offenses from scoring and consistently driving the ball the field. Last season, the Panthers were ranked 121st in the nation in points allowed per game (36.2) and 112th in total yards allowed per game (455.5). The Panthers had eight games where they gave up at least 37 points during the season.

This season, the Panthers should be more efficient in stopping the opposing offenses as they will return nine players on defense. Nate Fuqua is entering his fourth season as the defensive coordinator of the Panthers along with Shawn Elliot. He expects much more results from his leaders and star players this season than last season.

Senior Dontae Wilson will be entering his third season with Georgia State as the starting nose guard. Last season, Wilson accounted for 49 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He is the rock of the Panthers’ rush defense as they will be facing more tough rushing offenses. Wilson was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason second-team All-Sun Belt.

The Panthers should expect more pass rush from junior defensive end Hardrick Willis now that he has more experience. In his first season as a starter last year, Willis led the Panthers’ defense in sacks accounted for (4.5) and tackles for loss (8.5). It is still unclear whether senior T.J. Arnold, sophomore Tre Moore, or another competitor will be the other starting defensive end for the Panthers. Both Arnold (0.5 tackles for loss) and Moore (one tackle for loss and one sack) do not have much experience.

Another indication that the Panthers’ defense will be better is that they will return their two leading tacklers this past season in senior middle linebacker Trajan Stephens-McQueen and senior outside linebacker Victor Heyward. Stephens-McQueen accumulated 97 total tackles and seven tackles for loss. Heyward had 66 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Both players will be two of the most productive defensive players for the Panthers once again but they will need to bring their leadership value to the next level.

The Panthers return three main starters from last season’s defense that was ranked No. 7 of the 10 Sun Belt teams in pass defense (237.9). They allowed the most passing touchdowns from an opposing offense (27) and they were ninth in the Sun Belt in pass defense efficiency (154.9).

Safety Cedric Stone is the lone senior returning as a starter for the Georgia State Panthers. He will be entering his second season as a full-time starter. Junior cornerback Quavian White will be entering his third season with the Panthers. He has been one of the more consistent coverage players and has been since he was a starter as a freshman in 2018.

Junior Jaylon Jones is a former safety who returns as the starting cornerback. He is the more established zone coverage corner that lets some easy yards get the Panthers. Junior Chris Bacon or freshman Jalen Tate might compete for the other starting safety spot. Tate was named to South Carolina Football Coaches All-State first-team in his 4A class.