STATESBORO - For the first time since 2019, the Georgia Southern football team opened its preseason camp by making the tradition journey over the bridge over Beautiful Eagle Creek Friday morning, signifying the start of another season. Following Coach Lunsford across the bridge, Logan Wright, NaJee Thompson and Amare Jones led the way at 8:21, followed by their teammates as the Eagles went through a spirited two-hour practice in helmets and jerseys.
 
After a pair of lengthy team meetings on check-in day on Thursday, Friday began bright and early for the Eagles with a 6 a.m. breakfast, followed by a team meeting at 7 a.m. The Yellow Buses were fired up and rolling at 8:10 a.m. as the squad got a police escort from Paulson Stadium to Eagle Creek to arrive in style.

At practice, the specialists were out bright and early stretching and going through their routines well before the team arrived. The first thing noticed were new practice jerseys, which replaced the old one that ran their course. the new ones feature three stripes on the shoulder and looked really sharp for the new year.

The practice began with a light walk-through, followed by stretching and a county fair-style drill focused on ball security. Every player, from backs to receivers, linemen to safeties worked in different areas like recovering the ball and stripping the ball. The rest of the practice featured light work while making sure the team has the fundamentals in to be successful the rest of camp.

The first offense on day one looked much like it did at the end of spring ball:

LT: Brian Miller; LG: Aaron Dowdell; C: Logan Langemeier; RG: Khalil Crowder; RT: Caleb Kelly
RB: Logan Wright and Amare Jones (J.D. King is working his way back full)
WR: Najee Thompson and Jjay Mcafee
TE: Beau Johnson
SLOT: Khaleb Hood
QB: Justin Tomlin (with Cam Ransom, Sam Kenerson and Quincy Bonner also working)

The first defense on day one looked like this:

DE: Justin Ellis; NT: C.J. Wright; DE: Dillon Springer (with AJ Watkins also working in)
OLB: Randy Wade Jr.; ILB: Todd Bradley-Glenn and Tre Allen; OLB: Benz Josue
CB: Darrell Baker Jr. and Derrick Canteen; S: Anthony Wilson  and Myzell Williams (Justin Birdsong is working his way back to full)

Following practice, three quarterbacks and several other players spoke to the media, mostly about the jockeying on the depth chart for the No. 1 spot for the first two games with Justin Tomlin having to sit out. It was the media's first chance to talk to Ransom, who at 6-3, 215, looks every bit the part of a big-time quarterback. Head coach Chad Lunsford told the media that with Tomlin out or the first two games, it will be a battle between Sam Kenerson, Ransom and possibly Amare Jones for the spot at QB1. Jones has been all over the field for the Eagles since transferring from Tulane. He can play running back, slot receiver, punt returner, kick returner and now quarterback. Kenerson is one of the fastest players on the field and Ransom would be the first true freshman to start the first game of the season if he gets the nod for the Gardner-Webb game.
The team ate lunch and then several members of the team, along with head coach Chad Lunsford and Adrian Peterson went to Kennedy to help with Operation Move-In.

The day would end with position meetings, dinner, another set of meetings and a snack before a 10 o'clock curfew. The team will rinse and repeat on Saturday with an 8:30 a.m. practice at Paulson due to the amount of rain Statesboro picked up Friday. Following Saturday's practice will be the return of the Little Eagles Clinic, weather permitting.

Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Sat., Aug. 7: 8:30-10:30 AM (Paulson); 11:15 AM Little Eagles Camp (Paulson)

Sun., Aug. 8: 8:20-10:20 AM (Eagle Creek)
Mon., Aug. 9: 8:20-10:20 AM (Eagle Creek)
Tues, Aug. 10: 8:20-10:20 AM (Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 11: No Practice
Thurs., Aug. 12: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 13: 4:30-6:30 PM (Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 14: 9:30 AM (Paulson; SCRIMMAGE #1); Fan Fest Following

Sun., Aug. 15: 6:30-8:30 PM (Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 16: No Practice
Tues., Aug. 17: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 18: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 19: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 20: 4:30-6:30 PM (Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 21: 9:30 AM (Paulson; SCRIMMAGE #2)

Sun. Aug. 22: 6:30-8:30 PM (Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 23: No Practice
Tues., Aug. 24: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 25: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 26: 5:30-7:30 PM (Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 27: 4:30-6:30 PM (Paulson); Women's Clinic Following

Sat., Aug. 28: No Practice