STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Head Men's Soccer Coach John Murphy has announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Eagles in the upcoming 2018 season.

Joining the GS men's soccer program will be: freshman defender Lee Flowers (Marietta, Ga. / Concorde Fire); freshman defender Collin Harris (Columbia, S.C. / South Carolina United); freshman defender Parker Stokes (Columbia, S.C. / South Carolina United); freshman forward/midfielder Payne Van Tassell (Statesboro, Ga. / Tormenta FC); and freshman goalkeeper Eric Nunez (McDonough, Ga. / Concord Fire).

"We are pleased to highlight the first group in our 2018 class during this traditional announcement period," Coach Murphy said. "These five young men are strong program fits academically, athletically and socially. Our program culture demands a well rounded individual, and I am pleased to say that this collection of student-athletes can contribute immediately to our short- and long-term goals for our program. They help address needs within the current squad, and I look forward to helping all of them grow here in Statesboro."

Georgia Southern men's soccer finished the 2017 season with a 9-8-1 overall record, the first winning season for the Eagles since 2008. The team also earned a final No. 10 Southeast region ranking from the United Soccer Coaches, marking the Eagles' first regional ranking since 2008.

Below are capsules of all five signees for the Eagles.

Lee Flowers
5-10, 150
Marietta, Ga.
Defender
Concorde Fire 
Walton HS

Earned the Raider Pride award for Walton HS … Started 15 of 16 games for Concorde Fire U-18/19 … Son of Lethon Flowers III, Pittsburgh Steelers safety from 1995-2002.

Coach Murphy: "Lee is an active and intelligent fullback who has the skill set and mentality to excel in our playing style and system of play. He comes in as a talented player but also has the capacity to grow which is paramount in excelling at this level. His ability to defend well in wide areas and also have the appetite to get forward and join in the attack will serve him well as a freshman."

Collin Harris
5-9, 160
Defender
Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina United
Chapin HS

One of 4 juniors to be named to SCSoccer.com's "Super 22" in the state … Helped Chapin HS to back-to-back state championships … 2x Player of the Year for South Carolina United FC, which captured the State championship three times.

Coach Murphy: "Collin can be deployed as a fullback either on the right or left flanks. He is a classic defender in that he enjoys stopping the opposition from creating chances and scoring goals. This combative mindset has always stood out with our staff anytime we watched him. He is also a very good server of the ball during the run of play and on set pieces. This adds to his value as goals often come from the flanks at this level."

Parker Stokes
5-11, 160
Defender
Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina United 
AC Flora HS

Two-time All-State honoree at AC Flora HS … Two-time All-Region honoree … Voted to the Super 22 Team as voted by SC High School coaches … Helped lead AC Flora to the 2005 AAA State Championship … 2x Player of the Year for 3x State Cup champion South Carolina United 99 Elite …

Coach Murphy: "Parker is a cerebral player who sees the game very clearly at center back. He is a good passer of the ball which is important in our system, but most importantly as a defender, he is strong in the air and in 1v1 situations. He is also an exceptional student in the classroom which is very important component to playing men's soccer here Southern."

Payne Van Tassell
5-11, 178
Forward/Midfielder
Stateboro, Ga.
Tormenta FC
Statesboro HS

Plays for hometown Statesboro HS … Served as the team captain for 2017 Georgia State Champion Tormenta FC, based in Statesboro … Father, Darin (baseball) and mother, Netra (swimming) both competed collegiately for Georgia Southern.

Coach Murphy: "Payne is a Statesboro kid born and raised which obviously brings a special value to our program. He grew up supporting the Eagles, and now he can put on the uniform and inspire a new generation of locals kids. He can be deployed across the midfield as he is versatile and tactically sound. Payne has competed well in any setting our staff has seen him in.  We like that he will not back down to any challenge on the pitch or in the classroom. He will certainly add to the competitive environment we already have in place."

Eric Nunez
5-9, 150
McDonough, Ga.
Concorde Fire
McDonough HS

2017 First-Team All-Region goalkeeper for the Wolverines … Three-itme All-County performer … Captain of McDonough HS as a junior and senior … Career 0.93 GAA … Helped lead McDonough HS to the 4AAAA Region Championship … Played club for Concorde, where he registered 43 career shutouts in 120 matches started … Sister, Lisette, played soccer for the University of South Alabama.

Coach Murphy: "Eric is a explosive and agile goalkeeper who can start attacks for his team with his distribution and keen tactical sense. In our system, the goalkeeper must be able to play with his feet, so he will be able to adapt quickly in year one. He will solidify our goalkeeper depth chart and add to the quality of our training from the outset."