Statesboro is different. If you’ve ever stood in the middle of Paulson Stadium on a Saturday night when the "GSU" chant starts echoing off the pines, you know exactly what I’m talking about. But honestly, trying to nail down the georgia southern football depth chart lately has been like trying to tackle a shadow in an open field. It’s fluid. It’s messy. It’s exactly what Clay Helton intended when he brought his "Air Raid with a blue-collar soul" to the Boro.
People love to look at a roster and think they’ve got it figured out. They see names, they see stars, and they assume they know who’s taking the first snap. But in the Sun Belt, especially in this 2025-2026 window, depth isn't just a list of names; it’s a survival strategy. The transfer portal has basically turned the off-season into a high-stakes poker game, and the Eagles have been playing with a pretty aggressive hand.
The QB Room: JC French and the Battle for the Controls
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the guy under center. For the first time in what feels like forever, Georgia Southern actually returned a starting quarterback with significant mileage. JC French IV is the guy. He’s a redshirt junior now, and after a 2024 season where he threw for over 2,800 yards, he’s clearly the heartbeat of Ryan Aplin’s offense.
But don’t get comfortable. The depth behind him is fascinating because it’s not just "wait your turn" backups. You’ve got Turner Helton, the coach's nephew who transferred in from Western Kentucky, waiting in the wings. Then there's the young gun, Tyler Budge, a redshirt freshman who’s been generating a ton of buzz in spring ball for his arm talent.
If French starts throwing picks—something that bit him in the New Orleans Bowl—Helton won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on a change. That’s the reality of this georgia southern football depth chart. It’s built on "what have you done for me lately."
The Perimeter: Where the Speed Lives
If you’re an Eagles fan, you’ve probably noticed the size jump at wide receiver. Gone are the days when the roster was filled exclusively with 5-foot-9 speedsters. Now, look at Camden Brown. He’s 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and looks more like an SEC target—mostly because he was one at Auburn.
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He’s the "X" receiver who wins the 50/50 balls. Opposite him, you have Dalen Cobb, who is basically a human joystick. Cobb is the senior leader now, the guy who does the dirty work in the slot and returns punts.
The rotation here is deep:
- Josh Dallas (the playmaker who can line up anywhere)
- Dylan Gary (a 6-foot-5 monster transfer from Kentucky)
- Taylor Bradshaw (reliable hands in the intermediate game)
It’s a "multiple" offense for a reason. They want to force defensive coordinators to choose between getting beat by height or getting gassed by speed.
The Trenches: A Massive Reset
The offensive line is where the real drama happens, though nobody talks about it because it isn’t "sexy." Pichon Wimbley and Caleb Cook are the anchors. These guys are preseason All-Sun Belt for a reason. They’ve played a lot of football together.
However, the depth behind them is young. We’re talking about redshirt sophomores like Matthew Williams and Ethan Williams (no relation, just a lot of Williamses in the trenches). If one of the starters goes down, the drop-off in experience is steep. That’s the one area that keeps Coach Helton up at night.
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Defensive Identity Under Construction
On the other side of the ball, things got a bit chaotic. Dismissing a defensive coordinator right before a bowl game—like what happened with Brandon Bailey—usually signals a massive philosophy shift.
The 4-2-5 base remains, but the personnel is getting heavier. Devan Lowe, a 328-pound JUCO transfer, was brought in specifically to stop the run, which has been the Eagles' Achilles' heel. You can’t win the Sun Belt if you’re giving up 5 yards a carry on first down.
Linebackers and the Hybrid Role
Brendan Harrington is the name to know. He’s a 7th-year senior. Yes, you read that right. Between injuries and the COVID year, he’s been in college football longer than some of his teammates have been in high school. He plays that hybrid "Anchor" or "Nickel" role that is so crucial in the Sun Belt.
Behind him, Brandon Tyson has emerged as a tackling machine. He’s the guy who fills the gaps when the defensive line eats up the double teams.
Special Teams: The Statesboro Secret Weapon
Never overlook the kicking game at Georgia Southern. It’s part of the DNA. Alex Smith is arguably the best punter in the conference. He flips the field in a way that gives a struggling defense a massive cushion.
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The placekicking battle was won by freshman Tripp Bryant, who beat out the veterans in camp. It was a bold move, but Helton is leaning into the youth movement where the talent is undeniable.
Navigating the 2026 Transfer Cycle
Looking ahead, the georgia southern football depth chart is going to shift again when the portal opens in January. The "highest value" deals are moving players around like never before. Georgia Southern lost four projected starters last cycle to "Power 4" schools. It’s a feeder system now, unfortunately.
To stay competitive, the Eagles have had to become "Transfer Portal Niners," digging for gems that were overlooked at bigger programs.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you’re following the Eagles this year, keep an eye on these three specific areas to see if the depth chart is actually working:
- The Second Quarter Rotation: Watch how many receivers Helton rotates in during the second quarter. If he stays with the same three, it means the depth isn't as "trusted" as the press releases say.
- Red Zone QB Packages: Keep an eye out for Weston Bryan. He’s a massive 240-pound freshman QB. Don't be surprised if there are specific "heavy" packages for him near the goal line, even if French is healthy.
- Third-and-Long Personnel: Look for Uche Iloh on the edge. He’s a 6-foot-7 freak of nature. If he’s on the field on third down, it means the Eagles are strictly hunting the quarterback.
The depth chart is a living document. In Statesboro, it’s the difference between a bowl trip and a long, quiet winter. Check the official game-day flip card, because by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, the names you expected might not be the ones making the play.