STATESBORO - After practicing in shells for four days straight to begin fall training camp, the Georgia Southern football team finally suited up for its first day of full pads on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek Tuesday morning. 

Athletes and coaches alike were visibly excited to reach this turning point in camp as they prepare to face LSU for the first time in school history on Aug. 31 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  

"There's always that excitement on the first day of full pads and to have the opportunity to have some live sessions," said second-year head coach Chad Lunsford. "We're not quite ready to scrimmage for a lengthy period yet but there was still a lot of energy and I think the guys enjoyed it."  

Junior receiver Darion Anderson said that he thinks offense is coming together nicely.  

"It felt good to finally put it all together, put the pads on and hit each other a little bit. Offensively, we're starting to pick it up and get better everyday. We just have to keep grinding," said Anderson. "It's nice to be back in the groove and polish some things up so we can really get going. I think our running back group was good last year, but it's even better this year. The receiver group is also getting better and we're trying to be a group that can be relied on."

Starting quarterback Shai Werts practiced heavily with the first-team but will not participate in full-pads until Friday after sitting out the first two practices due to suspension. He was in day three of his NCAA-mandated five-day acclimatization period.

Rashad Byrd, a junior inside linebacker, also had great praise for the defensive side. 

"It's great to have all the guys flying around. We prepared all summer and it's fun to finally go out there and matchup against the offense," said Byrd. "I feel like we're making a lot of progress from last year to this year. What makes our defensive unit strong, is our bond. We didn't really lose too much from last season so there's a lot of experience on this side of the ball. We all play for one another and there is a lot of trust on this team."

Coach Lunsford also stated that he sees a lot of emerging talent through camp in the early stages. 

"Khaleb Hood is a kid who's come in and done some things that look like magic. Java'n Singletary has really covered some ground today and make some plays," said Lunsford. "Treun Pace and Javonte McGriff have also done well, but there are a lot of guys are starting to stick out and are getting comfortable with their assignments."

Coach Lunsford said that he really enjoys being able to focus on football so wholesomely and that his team is very focused.  

"The great thing about training camp is that you get to go all day long just doing football since class hasn't started yet, so it's fun," said Lunsford. "Our guys come out to work everyday and haven't had a bad one yet. We always have the good-to-great mentality and I think they have that chip on their shoulder that they want to prove they can be even better than last year." 

The Eagles enjoy their first day off Wednesday before returning to Eagle Creek Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Here are a few notes gleaned from their first five days of work:
 
Drew Wilson returns
A familiar name has returned to the field this year in offensive lineman Drew Wilson, who has been dealing with a significant eye injury that forced him to redshirt last year. In 2017 as a true freshman, the 6-4, 310-pounder played in all 12 games, starting 10 times and was on the field for a total of 781 snaps. He has to take extra precaution to make sure he doesn't re-injure the eye by wearing a visor on his facemask, but he's been cleared to return and all indications are he's having a good camp early on. Having a veteran back on the line with his physicality would be a big boost to a line that's already looking like it could be a strength of the offense. 

"Not only is Drew a good player for us, he has all the attributes we talk about in the Georgia Southern Man," said head coach Chad Lunsford. "He's that type of guy. He's totally bought into what Georgia Southern is all about and he brings an energy level to the team that's contagious. He continues to overcome an injury that I've never seen a guy come back from and it's great to have him back out there."

We'll have more on Wilson's incredible return later on this camp.
 
No news on King, Fields
J.D. King, a transfer from Oklahoma State, and Joshua Fields, a transfer from UTEP, both appealed to the NCAA for immediate eligibility this season, but Georgia Southern has not heard from the NCAA on either case. In particular, Fields enrolled in January and expected to compete for significant playing time in the Eagles' offensive backfield and has been getting a share of repetitions, but certainly would need more to contribute for the Eagles' opener at LSU on Aug. 31. Lunsford hopes a decision comes soon. He said typically the NCAA meets every Tuesday on these such cases and hopes today could be the day they hear on at least King. He wasn't sure all the official paperwork on Fields was complete and submitted quite yet, so his process may be a little longer.
 
"Sooner rather than later would be good, but right now it's not that big of a deal in terms of timing," Lunsford said. "Nether are running with the 1s or 2s because right now we're giving reps to guys we know are eligible for LSU. If good news comes back on either one of those guys, we'll adjust our plan in terms of reps versus scout team."

Matthews Jr. moves into new role
Offensive lineman Mitch Matthews Jr. will be moving into a new role as a student assistant this year after an injury has forced him to retire from the sport. The Lincolnton, Georgia, native dressed for several games over his two seasons with the team as an offensive lineman, but didn't see any game action. He made the Honor Roll in the fall 2017 and 2018 for posting above a 3.0 GPA and made the President's List in the spring 2019 for a perfect 4.0 GPA. He also made the Dean's List for a 3.5 GPA in spring 2018.

Matthews Jr. is the son of Flint and Carla Matthews and his father was an All-American linebacker at Georgia Southern who won two national titles with the Eagles. He is a sport management major.
  
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Wed., Aug. 7 No Practice
Thurs., Aug. 8 (8:30-10:30 AM, Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 9 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek)
Sat., Aug. 10 (8:30 AM, Paulson - Scrimmage #1; Little Eagles Camp)
Sun., Aug. 11 No Practice
Mon., Aug. 12 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek)
Tues., Aug. 13 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 14 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 15 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 16 (8:30-10:30 AM, Eagle Creek; Eagle Creek Baptism; Operation Move-In)
Sat., Aug. 17 (9:15 AM, Paulson - Scrimmage #2; Statesboro Fan Fest/President's Kick Off)
Sun., Aug. 18 (8:45 AM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 19 No Practice (First Day of Classes)
Tues., Aug. 20 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 21 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 22 (4:50-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 23 (6-7:30 PM, Memorial Stadium - Savannah; Savannah Fan Fest)
Sat., Aug. 24 No Practice

The game week schedule will be released at a later time.