Georgia Southern Football: 3 Eagles who are All-Sun Belt candidates

2. Derrick Canteen, Cornerback

Last season, Georgia Southern football led the FBS with 18 interceptions last season. Derrick Canteen was the primary reason for that.

Canteen had one of the best seasons of any cornerback in college football last season. The Evans, GA native was named a freshman All-American in 2020 after finishing with six interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and 48 total tackles.

College football writer Phil Steele already has Canteen listed as a preseason All-Sun Belt team member.

Canteen possesses great play awareness on defense. He also plays aggressively, which allows him to break up passes and plays often. He’s an absolute stud defender who we might end up seeing on Sundays in a few years.

1. J.D. King, Running back

King is poised to be the star of the Eagles’ offense this season. A former transfer from Oklahoma State, King has put up 1,457 total yards of offense with 13 touchdowns in his two seasons in Statesboro.

With the Eagles known for running the triple-option offense, they always have a stable of running backs and fullbacks who carry the load offensively. King will be the most experienced back on the team and will likely get the most carries on offense.

Running back coach Favian Upshaw had this to say about King when discussing his leadership among the group of running backs for the Eagles:

"“He’s the leader of that group and he does it the right way. He doesn’t give you any problems on the field or off the field. He does what you ask him to do and he also brings ideas to the board. He’s just a dependable guy. Now, I don’t need Coach King anymore. I need to get him on the field and we’re excited for that.”"

His speed and power running ability will be a problem for Sun Belt defenses in 2021, and with the triple option, the Eagles will be able to line him up almost anywhere on the field.

Here’s a throwback highlight from his time at Fitzgerald High School in Georgia: