Camp Begins For 2026 Football Season
8/5/2026 3:30:00 PM | Football
Eagles take the field for first time in camp
The team went through a spirited 88-minute practice in helmets and jerseys after starting the day with an early breakfast, a team meeting and a brief walk-through. The rest of the day consisted of lunch, a lift, a team meeting, practice review, dinner, installation meetings and finally a snack before breaking for the evening. The team will repeat this schedule for the next three days before having Sunday off.
Coach Helton met with the media following the practice. You can read the full transcript here.
A few notes from the day and the start of camp:
• The official start-of-camp roster was released last week and it features 122 players. The NCAA allows 105 players now after the House settlement was passed, but players can be grandfathered in, either by their current school or a past school. That accounts for the Eagles' larger number and that number could grow with the Edwin Jackson Memorial Walk-On Tryouts in August. Every team must be down to 105 players the night before their first game.
• The Eagle roster features 111 returning players and 11 newcomers since the spring. Georgia Southern returns a total of six starters—zero on offense and six on defense—and 31 letterwinners. GS added 46 players—24 transfers and 22 true freshmen—since the end of the 2025 season. Of the 24 transfers, 12 are FBS transfers, eight are FCS transfers, two are Division II transfers and two are junior college players.
• Twelve Eagles are playing this season as college graduates. Graduating from Georgia Southern, in alphabetical order: Josh Dallas (Fall 2025), Chance Gamble (Spring 2025), River Helms (Spring 2026), Tracy Hill Jr. (Fall 2025), Jamarian Samuel (Fall 2025), Brandon Tyson (Fall 2025) and Caelan Williams (Fall 2024 & Spring 2026 - two bachelor's). Also playing as graduates of other universities are: Gregory Delaine Jr. (Syracuse), Blake Ford (Arkansas), Andre Greene Jr. (Virginia), Ashton Hollins (Illinois) and Max Johnson (Texas A&M).
• Here's a breakdown of the classifications:
Seventh Year (2); Sixth Year (4); Fifth Year (22); Fourth Year (18); Third Year (27); Second Year (27); and First Year (22).
• Here's a breakdown of home states:
Georgia (67); Florida (19); Alabama (6); Texas (6); South Carolina (4); North Carolina (3); Virginia (3); Kentucky (2); New Jersey (2); Alaska (1); California (1); Hawaii (1); Indiana (1); Mississippi (1); New York (1); Oregon (1); Tennessee (1); Australia (1); Ireland (1)
Below is the practice schedule for the remained of preseason camp for fans who wish to attend.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Camp Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Thurs., Aug. 6: 3:25 p.m. (Tippins)
Fri., Aug. 7: 3:25 p.m. (Allen E. Paulson Stadium/Evans Family Field)
Sat., Aug. 8: 3:25 p.m. (Paulson)
Sun., Aug. 9: Off
Mon., Aug. 10: 9:55 a.m. (Tippins)
Tues., Aug. 11: 3:40 p.m. (Beautiful Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 12: 3:25 p.m. (Tippins)
Thurs., Aug. 13: 3:25 p.m. (Tippins)
Fri., Aug. 14: Off
Sat., Aug. 15: 6:35 p.m. (Paulson) - SCRIMMAGE #1
Sun., Aug. 16: Off
Mon., Aug. 17: 3:25 p.m. (Paulson)
Tue., Aug. 18: 10:10 a.m. (Eagle Creek)
The Fan Fest will take place on Aug. 15 around the first scrimmage, from 7-9 p.m. The second scrimmage will be on Saturday, Aug. 22.
While these announced practices are open to the public and media, we ask you help us keep a competitive advantage by not posting videos and detailed information (including injuries) from practice on social media.
