Georgia Southern Football Team Profile
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Georgia Southern Eagles (@GSAthletics_FB)

Clay Helton (5th year) (27-25) #122
Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0)  |  Proj: 0 - 12 (#132)  |  SOS: (#71)
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Updated Apr 7, 2026SpringOutlook: Mixed

The defining narrative of Georgia Southern's 2026 offseason is a QB competition that the coaching staff didn't script: Weston Bryan outplayed 7-year P4 veteran Max Johnson in the spring game, connecting on a 75-yard TD to King Phillips and earning Helton's highest public praise of the spring, while Johnson — who hasn't played a full season since 2021 — fumbled in the same game. That competition is the most interesting thing happening in Statesboro, because everything else around it is a question mark: the Eagles replaced all 11 offensive starters, the OL was flagged by Helton himself as the least-developed unit, and the running back room has five backs with almost nothing on tape. The defense is the realistic path to bowl eligibility — Mike Mutz inherits Anthony Bynum, MJ Stroud (16 TFLs in 2025), and Rashon Myles Jr., and spring showed 4 sacks in the game, suggesting the defensive identity is forming faster than the offense. Opening at Clemson as a +18.5 underdog is a money game that will look exactly like what it is, and Clay Helton enters year five of a 27-25 run at a program that still hasn't cracked the Sun Belt's upper tier — the fifth year is typically when patience runs out or the corner gets turned.

Key Storylines

  • Weston Bryan vs. Max Johnson QB battle: Bryan outperformed the veteran in the spring game (2 TDs including a 75-yarder to King Phillips), earning Helton's praise as 'probably his best day of camp,' while Johnson brings a 7-year P4 résumé but has a well-documented injury history and fumbled in the same game — the starting job appears genuinely open heading into fall
  • Complete offensive starter turnover — all 11 — makes this one of the steeper offensive rebuilds in the Sun Belt; Helton publicly flagged OL development as the biggest unresolved concern, and the running back room (five backs with minimal experience and production) compounds the problem
  • New DC Mike Mutz inheriting a defense that was statistically poor in 2025 but returns significant starters — Anthony Bynum (63 Tac, 6 TFL), MJ Stroud (33 Tac, 16 TFL), and Rashon Myles Jr. headline a linebacker corps that looks like the program's most credible asset heading into fall
  • Wide receiver room got a full offseason makeover via portal — King Phillips, Kam Mikell, Noble Johnson, and Alex Taylor all arrived — but these are largely G6 and FCS-level prospects being asked to contribute immediately to a retooled passing game; Jeremiah Ware also flashed in the spring game
  • Georgia Southern opens the 2026 season at Clemson (+18.5) in Week 2 — a paycheck game that figures to be a blowout — before hosting Big 12 member Houston (+13.5) two weeks later, with both results likely shaping perception of this program well before Sun Belt play begins
Georgia Southern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12Georgia Southern at Clemson+21
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Georgia Southern vs Houston+14
Record Prediction: 0 - 12  #132
Schedule Rating:  #71
Future 2027 Schedule
Georgia Southern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30Georgia Southern at Fresno State+2.5L14–4254.5L14–42ON
Sat 9/6Georgia Southern at USC+29.0L20–5961.5L20–59ON
Sat 9/13Georgia Southern vs Jacksonville State-3.0W41–3459.0W41–34OY
Sat 9/20Georgia Southern vs Maine-22.0W45–1757.5W45–17OY
Sat 9/27Georgia Southern at James Madison+14.5L10–3554.5L10–35UN
— Bye Week —
Thu 10/9Georgia Southern vs Southern Miss+3.0L35–3859.5L35–38OY
Sat 10/18Georgia Southern vs Georgia State-6.5W41–2458.5W41–24OY
Sat 10/25Georgia Southern at Arkansas State-1.5L24–3459.5L24–34UN
— Bye Week —
Thu 11/6Georgia Southern at App State+4.5W25–2362.5W25–23UY
Sat 11/15Georgia Southern vs Coastal Carolina-3.0W45–4059.5W45–40OY
Sat 11/22Georgia Southern vs Old Dominion+10.0L10–4562.0L10–45UN
Sat 11/29Georgia Southern at Marshall+10.5W24–1961.5W24–19UY
Mon 12/29Georgia Southern vs App State-10.0W29–1058.5W29–10UY
2025 Schedule Rating:  #107
2025 Record: 7 - 6 (SBC: 5 - 4)
Spread Record 7 - 5 - 1 | O/U 7 - 6
Opponents: 0 Elite, 2 Good, 0 Avg, 0 Bad, 0 Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 1 Elite, 1 Good, 0 Avg, 2 Bad, 7 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 171 points   #110
2025 class: 180 points   #78
2024 class: 157 points   #95
2023 class: 132 points   #104
2022 class: 116 points   #129

Average Class Ranking:   #103
Average Recruiting Points: 151

Four Year Crootin Profile
Declining Average G5
4 Year Class:  #97 - Best:  #78 Worst:  #110



CFB Crootin Averages
Sun Belt Class: 176  #94
Group of 5 Class: 169  #101
FBS Class: 198  #70


2021 class: 147 points   #104
2020 class: 150 points   #111
2019 class: 126 points   #119
2018 class: 147 points   #93
2017 class: 119 points   #98

Average Class Ranking:   #105
Average Recruiting Points: 138
 
Transfer Portal Classes
2026 Portal Class  #85 - 22 players, 84 Avg
2025 Portal Class  #109 - 17 players, 83 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #105 - 12 players, 84 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #110 - 16 players, 0 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Transfer Portal Classes
2022 Portal Class  #119 - 12 players, 83 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator Ryan Aplin (been OC for 3 years) #107
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Max Johnson (Tr)548762%437205.0
Turner Helton142654%74102.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
David Mbadinga4919614.016
Weston Bryan3111133.611
Taeo Todd2610203.919
Jamarian Samuel128717.336
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Taylor Bradshaw1613118.222
Ashton Hollins (Tr)4108127.049
Josh Dallas86808.517
Terrance Gibbs76809.717
(Tr) - new transfer in 2026

Defensive Coordinator Mike Mutz (in his first season) #68
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Tyson843062
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Tracy Hill Jr.414107
MJ Stroud3316762
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
MJ Stroud3316762
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Caleb Moore274221
Devin Collier241100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tracy Hill Jr.414107
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Jaquari Brown161003
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 63%  #83
Offense Returning Production: 58%  #107
Defense Returning Production: 69%  #31
Georgia Southern's Official Roster

Transfer Portal
2026 Portal Class  #85
22 Commits, 84.4 Avg Rating
27% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 17% TY
Team Talent
2026 Talent Rating: 627.00  #74
Offense Talent  #81 | Defense Talent  #72
2025  #99 | 2024  #98 | 2023  #96 | 2022  #109


2026 - 2023 Records
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0

2025 Record: 7 - 6
2025 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 7 - 5 - 1 | Totals: 7 - 6

2024 Record: 8 - 5
2024 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

2023 Record: 6 - 7
2023 Conf Record: 3 - 5
Spread: 4 - 8 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

Four Year Record: 21 - 18
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 19 - 17 - 3
Four Year Conference Record: 14 - 11
2022 - 2019 Records
2022 Record: 6 - 7
2022 Conf Record: 3 - 5
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

2021 Record: 3 - 9
2021 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

2020 Record: 8 - 5
2020 Conf Record: 4 - 4
Spread: 7 - 5 - 1 | Totals: 5 - 8

2019 Record: 7 - 6
2019 Conf Record: 5 - 3
Spread: 5 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 8 - 5

Eight Year Record: 45 - 45
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 44 - 42 - 4
Eight Year Conference Record: 31 - 29

Georgia Southern Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Birmingham Bowl Georgia Southern vs App State-10.058.5W 29 - 10
2024Orleans Bowl Georgia Southern vs Sam Houston-3.548.0L 26 - 31
2023Beach Bowl Georgia Southern vs Ohio-1.548.5L 21 - 41
2022Camellia Bowl Georgia Southern vs Buffalo-6.067.0L 21 - 23
2020Orleans Bowl Georgia Southern vs Louisiana Tech-7.048.0W 38 - 3
2019Cure Bowl Georgia Southern vs Liberty-5.059.0L 16 - 23
2018Camellia Bowl Georgia Southern vs Eastern Michigan-3.045.5W 23 - 21
Power Ranking Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2025.21 (38)1.23 (80)45% (36)4.09 (37)28.1 (99)45%56%.28 (128)1.25 (63)49% (133)4.21 (117)28.2 (51)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.19 (68)1.27 (77)43% (65)4.57 (17)27.7 (101)45%75%.23 (105)1.28 (70)45% (108)3.81 (71)33 (127)



More Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20251329:3022.145%56%5.350.411.54.60.91
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241330:0921.845%75%5.648.31.71.54.61.61



Overall Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2025 Offense1327.936.219.545.5% (36)4.09 (37)1224021552474.449% (70)49% (70)47% (34)45% (34)14% (43).21 (38)
2025 Defense1332.33335.349% (133)4.21 (117)1.5 - - - - - 51% (84)47% (52)51% (134)48% (126)15% (83).28 (128)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense132831.32542.9% (65)4.57 (17)1.7223661282383.846% (95)53% (39)46% (44)40% (85)17% (87).19 (68)
2024 Defense1327.625.828.845.5% (108)3.81 (71)1.5 - - - - - 47% (27)53% (108)47% (109)44% (102)14% (110).23 (105)



Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2025 Offense1349% (70)47% (34)35.5155.34.418 (60).18 (39)3.22 (20)72% (68)9% (47)0.91 (89)
2025 Defense1351% (84)51% (134) - - - - .27 (135)3.4 (134)75% (97)9% (93)1.06 (113)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2024 Offense1346% (95)46% (44)33.8128.23.824 (45).15 (57)2.84 (101)78% (36)11% (94)0.99 (57)
2024 Defense1347% (27)47% (109) - - - - .18 (99)3.1 (87)72% (60)8% (106)1 (79)



Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2025 Offense1349% (70)45% (34)2133.22477.511.826 (33)9 (88).29 (48)1.5 (78)29% (26)37% (16).46 (17)5% (28)2 (77)
2025 Defense1347% (52)48% (126) - - - - - - 12 (75).34 (111)1.5 (36)29% (113)37% (133).33 (87)6% (62)1.8 (17)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 Offense1353% (39)40% (85)22.234.2237.8710.721 (51)11 (72).23 (86)1.5 (84)31% (60)33% (48).39 (43)6% (65)2 (90)
2024 Defense1353% (108)44% (102) - - - - - - 13 (31).28 (97)1.5 (52)31% (89)32% (94).35 (89)5% (100)2 (54)




Overall

Team Info

Power #107SP+ #103
Coaching staff Rank  #114

2025 Record

7 - 6
SBC 5 - 4

Vs Spread7 - 5 - 1Totals7 - 6
One Score Games '25: (4-1)(11-9 under C.H.)

5 Year Profile

Consistent Average G5

'26 Profile

Down to Below Avg G5
Performance #108
Special Teams #118

Returning Production

From 2025

71% #25
QB Max Johnson (NC Portal) likely starter
Offense 58% #107
Defense 69% #31
Returning Starters: 9 (Off: 4) - (Def: 5)
Proj Portal Starters: 5 (Off: 2) - (Def: 3)
Exp'd Depth: 12 (Off: 5) - (Def: 7)
OL Prod: 58% #621 starters, 0 exp'd depth
OL Snaps: 1,774  #118From Portal: 712 #82
Rush Prod: 35% #118
Rec Prod: 16% #132
Front Seven: 62% #51
Secondary: 80% #29

Roster

Talent Info

Talent #74
Blue Chips (4%) #60
Portal Class  #8522 players (84 Avg)
Crootin '26 Class  #1104 YR Class Rating #97

Talent Profile

Declining Average G5
27% of Roster from Portal, 17% TY
54% of '26 Roster are New (Fr + Portals)

(OC) Ryan Aplin 3

 #107

(DC) Mike Mutz 1

 #68

2026 Schedule

Information

SOS #71

Georgia Southern plays 0 opps off a bye
OppsElite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
2025 Record: 7 - 6 (7 - 5 - 1) (SBC: 5 - 4)
2024 Record: 8 - 5 (8 - 4 - 1) (SBC: 6 - 2)

Win History

Past 5 years 5.8

Avg under Clay H 6.75
4 Yr Record (21 - 18)
8 Yr Record (45 - 45)

Notes

Live Team Notes

New DC Mutz a good DC hire from SFA
QB M Johnson hasn't played full season since '21
RB has 5 with very little exp & prod
WR added 7 portals, mostly P4 projects
OL has little exp & 1 portal starter added.
Def awful LY but returns a lot, can they improve?
Helton era acceptable but feels stale, new DC TY

Roster Experience

Snaps & Starter Info

Snaps Returning

13,643 (71%) #69

74%of Snaps by Upperclass
Offense: 3,410 #129
Defense: 10,233 #2
Players with Starting Exp (28) 11 on Off, 17 on Def

Upperclass

Starters 6 of 22 (27.3%)2-Deep 15 of 44 (34.1%)
Senior/Gr starters: 3 (13.6%) (Off: 1, Def: 2)
Upperclass Two-Deep: 15 of 44 (34.1%)
Upperclass on Roster: 40.2%(49 of 122)

Portals

Top '26 Incoming Portals

Rashon Myles Jr. (LB)3★ (.87)
Kam Mikell (WR)3★ (.86)
Alex Taylor (WR)3★ (.86)
Mo Clipper Jr. (IOL)3★ (.85)
Noah Mangham (CB)3★ (.85)
King Phillips (WR)3★ (.84)
Noble Johnson (WR)3★ (.84)
Josh Raymond (IOL)3★ (.84)

Top Players

Top Performers on Roster

Jakyri Jones (CB)0 Int, 0 Pd
Anthony Bynum (LB)63 Tac, 6 TFL (* TR)
O'Marion Brown (DT)2 Tac, 1 TFL
Rashon Myles Jr. (LB)18 Tac, 1 TFL (*FCS TR)
Noah Mangham (CB)2 Int, 0 Pd (*FCS TR)
MJ Stroud (LB)33 Tac, 16 TFL
Tracy Hill Jr. (CB)1 Int, 7 Pd
Festus Davies (LB)0 Tac, 0 TFL

Recruits

Top '26 Incoming Recruits

Jayden Jackson (ATH)3★ (.86)
Dariyon Gordon (CB)3★ (.86)
Jayvon Perry (IOL)3★ (.85)
RJ Isaac (CB)3★ (.85)
JQ Crosby (TE)3★ (.85)
Harrison Faulkner (QB)3★ (.85)
Jarvis Mathurin (WR)3★ (.85)
Tylin Drakeford (CB)3★ (.84)

Overall

Four Year Ratings Profile

#80 #86 #98 #105

Offense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#40 #69 #58 #104

Defense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#120 #96 #130 #95
 

Offense

2025 Ratings

Power #115SP+ #92
Profile:Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
Off Success #36
Off Expl #80
Run Success #34
Run Expl #89
Pass Success #34
Pass Expl #78

OLine

Run Blk #90Pass Blk #12
OL Yds #20
Stuff Rate #41

Misc

Poss Time #783 & Out #60
Scoring Zone Off #37
TO's #37

Defense

2025 Ratings

Power #81SP+ #108
Def Success #133
Def Expl #63
Run Success #134
Run Expl #113
Pass Success #126
Pass Expl #36

Misc

Havoc #83
Stop Rate #122
3 & Out #120
Pass Rush #134
Cov #78
Run Def #135
Tackle #59
Scoring Zone Def #117
TO's #28

Scoring

Overall: 28 - 32 (-4.4)

Home: 36 - 33 (3.2)Road: 20 - 35 (-15.8)

Net Efficiency

Overall #100

Pts Per Drive

Offense PPD #42Defense PPD #123

Pts Per Play

Offense PPP #63Defense PPP #116

(OC) Ryan Aplin 3

 #107

(DC) Mike Mutz 1

 #68

Records

4 Yr Record21 - 18

20257 - 620248 - 5

Offense

Four Year Offense Pts Per Play

#63 #64 #81 #63

Defense

Four Year Defense Pts Per Play

#90 #109 #75 #116

Overall

Four Year Net Pts Per Play

#77 #90 #74 #100