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The Paladins made it to the FCS Quarterfinals for the first time since 2005, dropping what was a 35-28 overtime contest at Montana, ending the Paladins’ season at 10 wins for the second straight season. The Paladins were the No. 7 seed entering the FCS playoffs and had an opening round bye before downing Chattanooga, 26-7, in a second-round matchup.
Since opening in 1981, Furman’s Paladin Stadium has been one of the toughest venues for the opposition to come away with a win. The Paladins went a perfect 6-0 at home last season and have posted an impressive 189-64-1 in 43 seasons of football inside the facility.
At one time in the not-so-distant-past, Furman’s home facility seated more than 16,000 fans, but has been reduced to 14,510 in recent seasons. The Paladins played their first game and picked up their first win inside the facility on Sept. 19, 1981, as the Paladins picked up a 21-0 victory over East Tennessee State. In 1997, the Bucs handed Furman one its worst losses in the facility's history, with a 58-28 triumph.
Furman’s first loss inside Paladin Stadium would come on Oct. 2, 1981, as the Paladins would drop what was a 31-28 loss to the Chattanooga Mocs. Chattanooga has the most wins (7) at Paladin Stadium among current Southern Conference teams. The Paladins are 14-3 at home since the start of the 2021 season and have won 12 of their last 13 home games, with Samford’s 34-27 win over Furman being the lone blemish.
That 30-point margin of defeat would stand as the largest win by a visiting foe until Samford handed the Paladins a 45-0 setback in 2014 on what was a homecoming Saturday. That loss is one of two shutouts by an opponent in facility history, with then-independent Georgia Southern handing the Paladins the other, as the Eagles handed the Paladins a 21-0 setback in 1992. A year later, the perennial FCS power would join the Southern Conference.
The 1991 triple overtime loss (L, 23-26) to visiting SoCon foe Appalachian State was the first overtime game in Southern Conference history. The Mountaineers went on to claim the SoCon title.
Nine years later, Furman knocked off top-ranked Georgia Southern, 45-10, on the strength of a 301-yard rushing performance from a then league record 301-yard rushing yards from Louis Ivory. It was part of a 2,079-yard season, which still ranks as the top single-season rushing season in SoCon history.
Appalachian State is also the opponent that is responsible for helping the Paladins record the largest crowd in facility history, with 19,058 fans overflowing to the grassy hills on both sides of the stadium to witness a 22-18 Furman win on Oct. 10, 1981.
The history has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most recent major upgrade coming in 2014, with the addition of a new press box and football offices. Furman’s 100th win in stadium history came on Sept. 7, 2001, as the Paladins claimed a 65-7 win over VMI, while win No. 150 came in 2013, as the Paladins used a blocked 23-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining to preserve a 21-20 win.
Those are just a few memorable moments the facility has played host to over the years.
As of Dec. 8, 2023, the Furman football program had put itself back on the national map with its performance in the FCS playoffs, however, the unfortunate part of it all is that it had to come in a 35-28 loss in the FCS quarterfinals to eventual national runner up Montana.
And with the loss of 43 seniors to graduation, which includes 15 starters, the Paladins have one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory directly ahead. How they have managed the past eight months will likely directly affect how the program moves forward.
Furman has as many if not more question marks facing it than any team in the Southern Conference, if not the entire FCS entering the 2024 season.
One thing that Furman has made itself in the current era of the transfer portal is a “developmental program” and that’s thanks in large part to having a cohesive staff that has remained intact at the coordinator spots over the past couple of seasons. Furman has two of the best at the FCS level, and those are defensive coordinator Duane Vaughn and offensive coordinator Justin Roper, who heads into his third season as the leader of the Paladin offensive unit.
Furman will also benefit from having a couple of those players remaining around campus and the practice fields, although not as players, but as graduate assistant coaches. Both veterans Hugh Ryan and Cally Chizik will be around to help coach a young secondary this fall. The Paladins also lost assistant Dae’One Wilkins, who has moved on to take a job as a part of the defensive staff at Kentucky.
Though the Paladins lose plenty, they have been able to retain key recruited talent that has learned to be patient and anxiously await their turns at their respective positions, and that includes at quarterback.
That’s where the Paladins must replace Southern Conference Player of the Year Tyler Huff, who had a year of eligibility remaining, however, opted to transfer to Jacksonville State for his final season. The commissioned lieutenant in the Army Reserves served the Paladins well for two seasons, helping the program revisit its tradition-rich past, which now includes 15 Southern Conference titles and was part of 18 of the 20 wins over the past couple of seasons as the Furman starting signal-caller.
However, for both Huff and Furman, it was time for a change at the position and it was a time for a changing of the guard for the team as a whole, as a new crop of talent that has been led gets their opportunity to lead. Fierce positional battles will be the talk of preseason camp, as Clay Hendrix (51-29) enters his eighth season as the head coach of his alma mater.
Arguably, Hendrix and staff will have their most daunting task ahead of them since taking the role back in 2017, as only seven starters return, including just three on the offensive side of the ball and just one along the offensive line. He likely relishes that challenge and opportunity, and as he continued to re-iterate to the media during the SoCon’s annual media outing at Hotel Hartness in Greenville back in late July, that he has plenty of players returning that have played meaningful snaps and that the Paladins aren’t a program that is built to “out-talent” anyone.
That has remained the one element that has made Furman different than many others in FCS over the years, and fittingly, it’s a trait that has Furman seem as chivalrous and honorable as the Paladin knight that rides the white steed, who leads it onto the Paladin Stadium turf each and every Saturday.
And though Furman is easily the SoCon’s most successful program (15 titles), it’s not a program that has seemingly been dominant. High academic standards and not selling out the portal almost prevent such dominance, however, make no mistake, this is a proud football program and are current owners of the SoCon’s lone national title (1988).
As one of three teams to have won 10 or more games each of the past two seasons (South Dakota State and North Dakota State), the Paladins will have their sights set on title No. 16, as well as becoming the first Furman team to repeat as champs in 34 years, when the Paladins claimed both 1989 and ‘90 SoCon titles.
The Paladins already ended one long streak last season, with their 37-3 win over VMI snapped a 33-year streak without an outright league crown. The Paladins enter their 119th season as a program (645-499-38 all-time record), including their 86th as a member of the Southern Conference (298-225-11), which is tied with The Citadel for the longest tenure of any of the league’s nine member programs. Furman’s 298 league wins are 75 more than The Citadel’s 223 league triumphs, which ranks in second place.
While the Paladins will almost look like a different team this fall and while the Paladins won’t ever “out-talent” the competition like Hendrix so often reminds us, it would be wise to once again take Furman serious title contender quite simply because they are led by great tacticians and have a formula that has worked time and time again. The Paladins were selected to finish second by the league’s coaches at the recent media outing back in late July.
A fair assessment of the Furman offense in 2023 was one that took extreme care of the football, but really lacked big-play ability in the passing game, and in the run game, struggled to keep a healthy stable of running backs.
In fact, it was quarterback Tyler Huff that had a pair of 53-yard scoring runs against Western Carolina and Montana, which accounted for Furman’s two longest scoring runs from scrimmage of the season. The Paladins only fumbled twice in 13 games, which is remarkably efficient.
Huff’s leadership was outstanding, and he never lost a Southern Conference game, which he started (14-0), as the Paladins posted a 14-2 mark in league games over the past two seasons, with the losses coming in 2022 to Samford (L, 27-34) and in 2023 to Wofford (L, 13-19).
The Paladins weren’t overwhelming statistically during the 2023 season. Furman finished out the 2023 season ranking 69th in the FCS in total offense (346.6 YPG), 43rd in rushing offense (156.9 YPG), 75th in passing offense (189.7 YPG) and 45th in scoring offense (27.4 PPG). The Paladins also ranked 47th in the nation in third down conversion percentage (.402).
With Huff’s departure, the most obvious question must now be asked…Who will lead the Paladin offense in 2024?
An open battle for the starting job has been announced by head coach Clay Hendrix coming out of the spring, with the two most-likely candidates to lead the unit in 2023 being redshirt junior Carson Jones (56-of-100 passing, 546 yds, 7 TDs, 2 INTs), true freshman Trey Hedden (Tampa Catholic/Tampa, FL) and redshirt freshman Neuhel Garcia (1-of-1 passing, 0 yds).
Jones of course led the Paladins to wins over both Chattanooga (W, 17-14) and VMI (W, 38-7) late in the season, helping the Paladins clinch what was the program's first outright Southern Conference football title since 1990. It will likely end up being Jones' job to lose when it's all said and done.
The native of Maryville, Tenn., no doubt had his most memorable moment of the 2023 season against Chattanooga in a game, which helped Furman clinch a share of the 2023 league title. His eight-yard scoring pass to Wayne Anderson Jr. with just 1:44 remaining helped the Paladins escape the Scenic City with a 17-14 win. He finished the season completing 57-of-101 passes for 542 yards, with seven touchdowns and two INTs.
Conventional wisdom would seem to favor Jones, especially given the fact he’s gained some valuable experience in clutch situations, leading the Paladins to some important results down the stretch last season, however, head coach Clay Hendrix made it known at SoCon media day in late July that it would be an open battle for the starting role.
Hedden has been particularly impressive, which began back in the spring and that has continued into the early portions of fall camp. It’s easy to see why he garnered so much interest in the recruiting process.
Hedden comes to Furman from an ultra-successful high school program at Tampa Catholic, where he was a star. During his time as a quarterback at Tampa Catholic, and will give the Paladin offense a different type of dual-threat should he be fortunate enough to claim the starting job come fall camp.
In his senior campaign at Tampa Catholic, Hedden finished by throwing for 2,500 yards and 25 scores, while passing for 1,986 yards and 27 scores as a junior. The 6-3, 231-lb quarterback completed 7-of-16 passes for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns during Furman’s spring game back in March. Hedden chose Furman among 20+ offers, which included FBS offers from Appalachian State and Toledo. Hedden comes to Furman as a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports.
Garcia is yet another intriguing candidate at quarterback, with good size and an accurate arm. The 6-3, 203-lb redshirt freshman from LaMirada, CA., saw some brief action in Furman's late-season, 37-3, win over VMI.
The 2023 graduate of LaMirada High School passed for 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season. Blessed with good size and with above average athleticism, Garcia has excellent mechanics on his throws, with good zip and delivery on his intermediate throws. He's probably slightly behind both Jones and Hedden throwing the deep ball, but like the other two in competition to start, Garcia has good arm strength.
The Paladins don't have a star running back to point to for the first time since maybe Clay Hendrix's first season at the helm when he made both Kealand Dirks and Antonio Wilcox into tough, rugged running backs that could get downhill in a hurry. Prior to Hendrix arriving, the little-used Dirks and Wilcox were known entities but weren't considered playmakers in a pass-happy Furman offense in the previous couple of seasons before Clay Hendrix arrived on the scene.
With Dominic Roberto having moved on, becoming an undrafted free agent of the New Orleans Saints this past spring, the Paladins must find a new leader in their backfield this fall.
For his efforts last season, Roberto left as one of the best to ever run the ball in a Paladin uniform, finishing out his career ranking eighth in career rushing yards (2,871), while finishing out his standout career in the Purple and White placing seventh on the school’s all-time ledgers for attempts (538) and rushing TDs (32).
Roberto would end up finishing out the season as Furman's leading rusher, as he finished out his final campaign in a Purple and White uniform rushing for 757 yards and 11 TDs, averaging 4.2 yards-per-carry.
Furman’s top three rushers—Roberto (757 yds), quarterback Tyler Huff (589 yds), and Wayne Anderson Jr. (268 yds) accounted for a combined 1,614 yards of the team’s 2,040 total yards on the ground, or put another way, 79.1% of the team’s total rushing output through 13 games in 2023. They also combined to total 17 of the team’s total of 24 rushing scores a year ago. It’s been quite awhile since Furman has lost that significant of an amount from its ground attack all at once.
Several reputable candidates vying for new extended roles in the ground attack are already on the roster, however, and the candidate likely to garner a bulk of the carries in 2024 is likely to be redshirt junior Grant Robinson (32 rush att, 110 yds, 3.4 YPC), who is a redshirt junior and spent most of the 2023 season recovering from an injury, but managed to return during Furman’s FCS playoff run.
Robinson, who was a preseason second-team All-SoCon selection, is a strong, powerful running back who has much promise in the Paladin ground attack but has been behind Roberto and then battled through injuries last season, which should have seen the redshirt junior see his most significant action as a member of the Furman backfield.
Now back to 100%, Robinson will be one of several inexperienced running backs ready to become the next Paladin great runner. A 6-0, 208-lb native of Plano, TX., Robinson would end up logging action in four games for the Paladins last fall, including making one start, which came in the FCS playoffs against Montana. That start against the Grizzlies in the FCS playoffs for Robinson also marked his first career start.
Against Chattanooga in Furman’s second-round, 26-7, playoff win, Robinson returned to the lineup after a nine-game absence due to rehabilitating his knee. He was effective, rushing 13 times for 62 yards while hauling in a pass for 19 yards in Furman’s 19-point triumph. In his first two campaigns as a part of the Paladin backfield, Robinson has rushed the ball 32 times for 110 yards and one touchdown.
Both Jay’Quan Smith (28 rush att, 123 yds, 2 TDs, 4.4 YPC) and Myion Hicks (36 rush att, 229 yds, 3 TDs, 6.4 YPC) logged action in the backfield last fall, however, like both Robinson and Roberto, struggled to remain 100% for the entire season. Smith suffered a season-ending lower leg injury in the 28-14 home win over The Citadel, and that was an injury that required an extensive rehabilitation process.
Smith logged action in five games before suffering his season-ending injury against the Bulldogs and showed some effectiveness as a redshirt freshman in the Paladin backfield last season.
The 6-0, 208-lb native of Braselton, GA., and scored his first touchdown as a Paladin running back in the 45-10 season-opening win over Tennessee Tech last season. His most effective performance as a Paladin running back came in a key 38-14 home win over No. 21 Mercer, finishing the contest against the Bears with six rush attempts for 46 yards, which included a 20-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Hicks was also a viable option in the running game last season, especially as the season drew to a close. Along with Smith, he’s perhaps Furman’s most physical, powerful runner. Hicks heads into his redshirt junior season looking to see his most extensive time in the Paladin backfield, and in 2023, would see his most extensive time in the lineup in Furman’s lone regular-season FCS loss at Wofford (L, 13-19). He carried the ball a season-high 11 times for 70 yards, which included an 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to make things interesting down the stretch.
The native of Desoto, TX logged action in all 12 games for the Paladins last fall, posting a season-long 40-yard run in Furman’s 26-7 second-round playoff win over Chattanooga.
Some of the young performers expected to crack the lineup this fall in the Paladin backfield include true freshman Gavin Hall (Gainesville HS/Gainesville, GA), redshirt freshman, Jalil Garvin-Mingo, and true freshman Kevin Everhart (Lakewood Ranch HS/Lakewood Ranch, FL) and Ben Croasdale (3 rush att, 23 yds).
Hall, Garvin-Mingo, and Everhart will be looking to see their first action in the Paladin backfield, while Croasdale heads into his redshirt sophomore season having seen only spot duty in his career. He logged action in one game last fall, with a long run of 19 yards in Furman’s 38-14 home win over Mercer.
In all likelihood, Hall is the running back that stands the best chance to log significant action in the lineup this fall in the Paladins’ ground attack. The 5-10, 188-lb running back comes to Furman from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, GA., where he starred in the backfield for the perennial Peach State prep football power. He spent his senior season playing for the Red Elephants after transferring into the program from Hebron Christian (3A).
In his senior campaign at Gainesville, he helped lead the Red Elephants to an impressive 12-1 season and garnered Region 8-6A Player of the Year honors after rushing for 1,609 yards and 24 TDs in 2023, averaging an impressive 7.8 yards-per-carry.
Hall’s ability and speed make him an instant favorite to see action this fall. He can also be an option as a receiving threat coming out of the backfield for the Paladins, in much the same fashion that Wayne Anderson Jr. was last season late in the campaign when he moved back from receiver to running back.
Everhart is another star of the very near future in the Furman backfield, as the true freshman running back came to Furman from Lakewood Ranch, FL, and is a graduate of Lakewood Branch High School where he was a star running back.
In 2023, he spent the fall season at the IMG Academy, helping the program to a perfect 10-0 mark and a national championship run in 2023.
In his final campaign at 4A Lakewood Branch, he saw action on both sides of the ball at both running back and defensive back, respectively, and added return specialist on special teams to his list of responsibilities. He finished out his career at Lakewood Branch in 2022 by rushing for 1,065 yards on just 147 carries (7.2 YPC), while hauling in 23 passes for 329 yards and accounted for 25 touchdowns in his senior campaign.
One other x-factor in the ground attack this fall could be Bailor Hughes (5 rec, 43 yds/1 rush att, -1 yd), who made the official move from wide receiver to running back in spring practice after originally making the transition towards the end of the 2023 season due, in large part, to attrition at the running back position as a result of a rash of injuries.
Hughes is a 5-11, 211-lb redshirt senior from Knoxville, TN., bringing size, speed, and versatility to the backfield. He saw action in all 13 contests last season working in roles as both a reserve wide receiver and running back.
If there is a position that at least on paper, looks to be the strongest heading into the 2024 season on the offensive side of the football for the Paladins, it’s wide receiver. The Paladins have a total of 17 wide receivers among its 117-man roster heading into 2024.
While Furman loses standout tight end Mason Pline and wide receivers Luke Shiflett, Kyndel Dean, and Wayne Anderson Jr., Furman’s top receiving threats and three of its top six wideouts return for the 2024 season.
Maybe no team in FCS football has utilized the tight end position over the past four decades as a downfield receiving option in the passing game better than Furman has, as head coach Clay Hendrix can attest to, which dates all the way back to his freshman season as an offensive lineman for his alma mater back in 1982.
Since the 1977 campaign, the Paladins have seen 34 All-SoCon honorees at the tight end position, and in each of the past two campaigns, the position has been particularly impressive each of the past couple of seasons with a pair of NFL un-drafted free agents, in Ryan Miller in 2002 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Mason Pline in 2023 (San Francisco 49ers).
Much of Furman’s developmental success at tight end in recent seasons has been the handy-work of tight ends coach Nick Verna, who joined the Paladin coaching staff in 2021. He also serves as Furman’s NFL Liason.
Pline’s ability as an overall athlete and leaping ability, coupled with his height made him an easy target for Huff, and his 13-yard grab with just 13 seconds remaining against Montana, helped the Paladins force overtime in dramatic fashion, tying the game, 28-28. He finished his one season with the Paladins hauling in 32 passes for 287 yards and four scores after transferring in from Ferris State in the spring of 2023.
The question most Furman fans have about the 2024 season is who’s next? The answer to that question won’t be for lack of talented options. The two leading options are sophomore Brock Chappell (2 rec, 20 yds, 1 TD, 10 YPR) and graduate transfer Joshua Burrell, who will have two years of eligibility remaining after transferring in from Florida State.
Chappell was a SoCon All-Freshman selection last fall after hauling in two passes for 20 yards, which included a 16-yard scoring catch from quarterback Carson Jones in the loss at South Carolina last season. The 6-5, 240 Chappell saw action in all 13 games last season for the Paladins, as he served as Pline’s understudy.
Burrell, a graduate transfer from Florida State, where he logged action in 21 games for the Seminoles, will contend with Chappell for the starting job.
He is one of two FBS transfers in the most recent recruiting haul, and his speed and ability to cause matchup problems for the opposition in various formations will most likely remind Paladin fans of Ryan Miller. The 6-3, 218-lb tight end was the Palmetto State’s No. 4 prospect when he came out of Blythewood High School and was a Shrine Bowl participant.
Along with Burrell and Chappell, the Paladins have others ready to contribute at the position this season, with some young talent waiting in the wings. Redshirt freshmen Aiden Ruckh and Brennan Tormey are two that could find their way into the Paladin depth chart this fall. Ruckh, who is from Cumming, GA., and played at North Forsyth High School, is coming off a strong spring practice for the Paladins.
The biggest target Paladin signal-callers will have at their disposal this fall is Tormey, who at 6-7, 225 lbs, is a player that could cause matchup problems with his size, much the way Pline did last season.
True freshman Jackson Pryor (Watauga HS/Boone, N.C.) is another player who will have a chance to work his way into the mix come fall camp, although he will likely redshirt the 2024 season. The 6-5, 210-lb tight end keeps with the theme of tall, rangy tight ends that head coach Clay Hendrix has utilized with great effectiveness during his tenure as Furman's head football coach. Pryor comes to Furman from the High Country of North Carolina, where he starred for the Watauga High School Pioneers in Boone, N.C. Redshirt sophomore Aaron Beylin and redshirt junior Joe Graham will look to add even more depth to the position.
The two most veteran wide receivers returning for the 2024 season also just happened to lead the Paladins in receiving yards last season, with senior Joshua Harris (42 rec, 380 yds, 2 TDs, 9.0 YPR) and sophomore Colton Hinton (34 rec, 404 yds, 2 TDs, 11.9 YPR) are both back giving the Paladins a pair of sneaky big-play options in the passing game—an element the Paladins mostly lacked last season, with one of Huff’s weaknesses being his passing accuracy on the deep ball.
Going from a team that was one of the oldest in Furman history to one of the greenest and youngest in terms of average is something that for the few veterans returning, is somewhat of a strange transition, but at the same time a healthy one, as Harris noted at the SoCon’s Football Media Day at Hotel Hartness in Greenville, S.C., back in late July.
“It feels a little weird being one of the old guys now because I was always the one looking up to somebody and I still look up to people but at Furman now I am the one getting looked up to and in some ways it doesn’t feel any different than last year though because I kinda had that leadership role even last year in the receiving room of some type…So this year it’s just getting everything done and just showing the people…like even though we’re losing a lot of guys we still have guys that can play and we’re gonna have fun and we’re going to go out each and every week to do what we gotta do,” Furman senior wide receiver Joshua Harris said.
Harris has been a standout in the Paladin passing game since his arrival back in 2021 and has been one of Furman’s leading options at the receiver position ever since. Harris, who is a 6-2, 195-lb senior wideout from Newnan, GA., enters the 2024 season as one of Furman’s premier deep threats this fall and is a second-team All-SoCon preseason pick. He already ranks 12th on Furman’s all-time receptions list and has hauled in 116 passes for 1,142 yards and eight scores in his career.
The senior wideout led the Paladin receiving unit last season by hauling in 42 passes for 380 yards and a pair of scores, which marked a bit of a drop-off from his junior numbers, which saw him post 48 catches for 667 yards and five touchdowns. He turned in one of his top individual performances against South Carolina, making six catches for 73 yards, while also completing a 51-yard pass to set up Furman’s opening score of the night. Harris had a season-high eight catches for 78 yards, which included a 22-yard scoring catch in helping the Paladins to the 16-8 win over East Tennessee State.Harris was also Furman’s primary punt return threat last season, averaging 7.4 yards-per-return on on 18 returns last fall, including posting returns of 33 and 31 yards, respectively, in wins over Tennessee Tech (W, 45-10) and VMI (W, 37-3) last season.
Hinton will team with Harris at wideout this fall, helping form one of the top-receiving duos in the Southern Conference this fall. As a true freshman last fall, Hinton finished out his inaugural season with the Paladins in fine fashion, as he garnered SoCon All-Freshman honors.
He proved to be one of the fastest players on the Furman roster, and his speed was a factor in some important games last season, in particular, the FCS quarterfinal loss to Montana, as his 70-yard catch against the Grizzlies helped set up the game-tying score on Furman's first drive of the night, as Dominic Roberto plunged in from a yard out to help the Paladins nullify the early momentum taken by the Griz after returning the opening kickoff for a score. Hinton finished the season having recorded catches in 12 out of Furman's 13 games last fall.
Ben Ferguson (27 rec, 335 yds, 1 TD, 12.4 YPR) has arguably the best hands in the receiving unit. His one-handed, leaping touchdown grab against Samford last season remains one of the top highlight-reel catches in recent memory for Furman. The junior native of Woodlands, TX, saw action in all 13 games last season, making starts in eight of those contests. He has 30 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown in his two seasons catching footballs for the Paladins.
If you’re looking for a player who could very well have a breakout campaign at wide receiver for the Paladins this fall, that player may very well be Ethan Harris (3 rec, 31 yds, 10.3 YPR). Harris gives the Paladins a sure-handed, physical presence at wide receiver this fall and he is in line to see the most significant action of his career this fall.
Harris finished the 2023 season by seeing action in nine games as a reserve wideout for the Paladins. Harris was particularly important as a blocking presence on the perimeter in the ground game for the Paladins last season. He also possesses above-average speed, and 6-2, 192 lbs, gives the Paladins a physical presence at receiver.
There are plenty of young wideouts looking to make a name for themselves as a part of this Furman offense in 2024. One of those looking to break into the depth chart this season is redshirt freshman Ja'Keith Hamilton (Shelby HS/Shelby, N.C.) Hamilton committed to Furman back in January of 2023 and as a senior at 2AShelby High School, he hauled in 62 passes for 899 yards with nine TDs, helping Shelby to a 7-5 record.
As a result, Hamilton garnered all-conference and all-state honors and represented North Carolina on the Shrine Bowl squad. His speed and size will give him an immediate chance to break into the Furman depth chart this fall.
Another of those young wideouts looking to compete for a place on the depth chart as a true freshman this fall is Devin Hester Jr. (Cedar Shoals HS/Athens, GA), who shares no relation to former Miami Hurricanes and future NFL Hall-of-Fame selection Devin Hester, who starred as a kick return threat at the University of Miami and for the Chicago Bears, even returning a kick for a score in the 2008 Super Bowl.
Hester Jr. played for a small school without a great deal of football success during his time as a prep, having played at 4A Cedar Shoals in Athens, GA., where he starred during his prep career as a wide receiver.
The 5-10, 168-lb native of Athens, GA., could have the opportunity to contribute immediately this fall, thanks in large part to his outstanding speed, which could not only be a threat in the downfield passing game but also on special teams. Hester Jr.’s career tract thus far is reminiscent of other former Paladin great wideouts like Desmond Kichings and Brian Bratton, who both played at small schools before arriving at Furman and starring in each of their true freshman campaigns.
Hester Jr. comes off a standout prep career, which saw him haul in 96 passes for 1,623 yards and 24 TDs over his final two seasons as a prep, which included 50 catches for 953 yards and 16 TDs during his junior season.
Santino Varvel (Canyon View HS/Goodyear, AZ) rounds out the rookie wideouts, although due to a recent injury, he won’t play this season. The 6-3, 183-lb native of Goodyear, AZ., has good size and speed. As a senior at Canyon View High School, he hauled in 44 passes for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns. Varvel was a three-time all-region performer and was also a standout in track, thanks in large part to his speed.
Other young wideouts that look to factor into the offensive plans for head coach Clay Hendrix and the Paladins this fall are redshirt freshman Walker Wood, redshirt sophomore Gram Smithson, redshirt sophomore Riley Clark, and redshirt freshman John Holbrook. Holbrook figures to be among Furman’s top six wideouts this season.
The offensive line will be one of the areas most will be focused on this season. That’s because the Paladins must replace four starters from a unit that, a year ago, was considered one the top units in all of FCS football and is likely one of the best collective units to ever suit up for the Paladins.
That being said, five of those starters that started Furman’s game at Montana in the FCS Quarterfinals—Jacob Johanning (OG), Pearson Toomey (OT), Gerrik Vollmer (OG), Wyatt Hughes (C), and Fred Norman Jr. (RT) have all moved on. Johanning, who won the league’s prestigious Jacobs Blocking Award, which is given to the top offensive lineman in the SoCon, has moved on as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders. Toomey and Hughes, who both garnered all-league honors last season, still had a year of eligibility remaining, and while both entered the transfer portal, both eventually ended up deciding to call it a career.
Vollmer was able to come up big for the Paladins in his only healthy season with the Paladins, as he assumed duty for the injured Luke Petit(OG/C), who went down with a season-ending injury at Samford last season, and is the lone returning starter for the Paladins in 2024. All told, between Toomey, Johanning, Norman Jr., and Hughes, that quartet ended up accounting for a combined 112 starts in their respective careers.
While Petit is the lone returning starter to the fold, there is enough experience and talent remaining on the Paladin roster to once again see the Paladins field what should be a formidable unit among theIr peer programs this fall.
It’s a good mix of experience and rising stars, and while the unit is not as collectively as talented and experienced as the one that the Paladins had a year ago, Furman offensive line coach Matt McCutchan has a unit that is physical and hungry.
Petit, a redshirt junior and a preseason All-SoCon selection by the league’s head coaches, is an excellent starting piece for the Paladins heading into 2024. The 6-4, 285-lb product of Akron, OH, can play center or guard for the Paladins. That kind of versatility along the offensive line has been typical of Paladin offensive lines for over four decades, and Petit’s experience and talent will be vital for what will no doubt need leadership when facing adversity this fall.
Prior to his season-ending lower leg injury last fall in a 27-21 win at Samford, Petit logged a total of 331 play participations and the Paladins were 5-1, with the lone setback coming at South Carolina prior to his season-ending injury.
Set to join Petit in that veteran leadership along the Paladin offensive front this fall are redshirt seniors Blake Hundley (OT) and EJ Wilson (OG). Hundley, a 6-3, 287-lb, native of Clarksville, Tenn., has seen action at both tackle and guard in his career, which includes three starts at tackle and one at guard in his Furman career-to-date. All told, Hundley has seen action in 27 games in his Paladin career, with 537 play participations. He’s the starter at right tackle heading into the 2024 season.
Wilson will help solidify that right side of the Furman offensive line alongside Hundley, as the 6-4, 288-lb redshirt senior from Xenia, OH., is the penciled-in starter at right guard heading into the 2024 campaign.
Wilson started four games as a guard for the Paladins and was a pivotal piece of an offense that was efficient from start to finish last season, as the Paladins finished with 10 wins for a second-straight season. He totaled 299 play participations last season and has seen action in 21 career games as a Paladin.
Senior Ryan Lamb (OG/C) is another player that has been a part of more than his fair share of battles in the offensive trenches over the past two seasons, and logged time in five contests on 66 play participations, which included a start at left guard in Furman’s 24-19 win at Charleston Southern. He once again figures to see time at guard this fall.
Redshirt freshman Chris Luna (C) is one of Furman’s most gifted offensive linemen and is in line to replace Wyatt Hughes as the starting center this fall. The 6-3, 290-lb native of Wesley Chapel, FL, made the move to center last season and has been prepping for this opportunity ever since.
He has a good relationship with Hedden, who also attended Tampa Catholic, and now the two have been working together since the spring, as Hedden got an early start at Furman back in January. Both were a part of spring practice and got plenty of reps.
Luke Westerman (C) is in competition to back up Luna at center in preseason camp. The 6-2, 270-lb product of Nashville, Tenn., is in his third year in the program.
Redshirt sophomore Eli Brasher (OT) is in line to take over as the starter at left tackle. The 6-2, 288-lb was one of the young offensive linemen who had made some big improvements last season, progressing along nicely before an unfortunate injury ended his campaign prematurely.
Tex Elliott (OG), who transferred into the Furman football program prior to the 2023 season from Colorado State, will be a leading candidate to start at offensive guard after not seeing very much action due to injury last season.
While experience returns along the unit, there is also some young talent coming into the program that could challenge for playing time right away along the offensive front. Players like true freshman Steven O'Dell (OT/Broome High School/Jonesville, S.C.) from Broome High School will be ones to keep a keen eye on.
He was one of the top offensive linemen in the state of South Carolina last season, and he finished the season being honored as the 2023 3A Upperstate Lineman of the Year, as well as being a three-time all-region selection, two-time all-county pick, and a two-time all-state selection. He was selected to play in the prestigious North vs. South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach.
Redshirt freshmen Hayden Garner (OG), and Brody Balliew (OT) are three others that will have a chance to compete for a place on the depth chart in fall camp, while talented true freshmen recruits Noah Akinsola (OT/Reedy HS/Frisco, TX) and Parker Solano (C/Powers Catholic/Detroit, MI) could potentially redshirt this fall, while Chase Gregorek (TL Hanna HS/Anderson, S.C.) is continuing to work his way back from off-season shoulder surgery.
When the Paladins take the field on the defensive side of the ball for the first time at Ole Miss on Aug. 31, it will be with heavy hearts, but it will also be playing in honor of their fallen comrade and forever friend, Bryce Stanfield. On Feb. 9, 2024, the Furman football program suffered a tragedy few programs ever have had to deal with and one that one should never have to endure.
Stanfield suffered a pulmonary embolism a couple of days before spring practice, attending a team activity, in which he did not participate. The grieving process has been an extended process for the family, coaching staff, and team, and has brought an already close band of brothers even closer.
The native of Acworth, GA., was conferred his Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences magna cum laude by Furman President, Dr. Elizabeth Davis on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in front of family members, teammates, and coaches. He was a three-year letterman. The 2024 season will be dedicated to the memory of No. 97, and the legacy he left in such a short time to all those he encountered in his time at Furman.
Stanfield was part of a unit that was among the best in program history in 2023. Furman finished the 2023 season leading the Southern Conference in total defense (316.0) for the first time in two decades, last leading the SoCon in that particular category back in 2003. The ‘03 unit ranks as one of the best in school history, surrendering just 272.5 YPG during that particular season.
The 2023 season also marked the 10th time in league history in which the Paladins have finished the campaign with the league’s top unit. The 316.0 YPG yield saw the Paladins finish out the 2023 campaign ranking 19th in the FCS in total defense.
Furman’s 36 sacks during the 11-game regular season were a Paladin regular-season record. Furman finished the season with a total of 38 quarterback takedowns, which is the third-most in program history, trailing only the 1988 (49 sacks) and ‘89 (39 sacks) seasons, respectively.
The 49 sacks by the Paladins in ‘88 rank as a Southern Conference single-season record. It marked just the fourth time in league history that the Paladins have finished the season leading the SoCon in sacks, and it marks the first time the Paladins finished a season leading the league in quarterback takedowns since 2017.
Since taking over as the defensive coordinator in 2019, Duane Vaughn’s defenses have incrementally gotten better and in the past two seasons, they have been dominant. Vaughn’s progression as a defensive coordinator is probably most comparable to that of former Wofford defensive coordinator Nate Woody under Mike Ayers. Vaughn’s path has been similar, as he has quietly become one of the top defensive coordinators in the FCS.
He’ll be challenged with one of his toughest assignments this fall, and that will include finding replacements for a pair of all-conference defensive linemen, in Matt Sochovka and Jack Barton, as the duo combined for 63 career starts.
Add to that the aforementioned tragic loss of Stanfield and that’s even more experienced and talent, however, what Vaughn returns is a good enough base to give the Paladins potentially one of the league’s most dominating fronts yet again in 2024.
While Furman returns just three regulars on the defensive side, like its offense, the Paladins return plenty of veteran leadership to the fold that saw meaningful snaps in big games.
That is particularly true of the Paladins’ front seven, platooning its defensive line and linebackers last season. The greenest unit entering the season is the secondary, which lost most of the two-deep at cornerback and safety. With that said, the Paladins welcomed in a pair of transfers to help in the immediate in the defensive backfield.
Furman fielded one of its deepest and most talented defensive fronts in program history last season, and that unit ended up being one of the major reasons the Paladins were able to field one of the nation’s best pass-rushing units in 2023, and a majority of the time, the Paladins were able to generate pressure with just a front three or four, depending on the scheme.
Like the tight end position over the past two seasons, the Paladins have had two dominant nose tackles over the past couple of campaigns.
Leading the unit this fall is senior nose tackle, Xavier Stephens (35 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT). Stephens, who originally transferred in from Lehigh prior to the 2022 season, has been a difference-maker on the defensive side of the football for the Paladins. He is one of two returning regulars along the defensive front for the Paladins and is coming off his first season as a starter at the nose tackle position and has developed into an all-league performer over the past season, as he was selected first team by the coaches heading into the 2024 season.
The 6-3, 292-lb senior posted a season-high five tackles in a 37-3 win over VMI, and duplicated that feat in Furman’s 35-28 overtime loss at Montana. His ability to clog running lanes and free up linebackers to make tackles, particularly at the 'BANDIT' and 'SPUR' positions this fall will once again be key.
With Cameron Coleman two years ago, and then Stephens last season, the Paladins have gotten exceptional play at the nose tackle position, and it has made Furman’s defense a particularly dominating unit, especially in a 3-4 scheme.
The other veteran returning along the defensive line for the 2024 season is Jeremiah Jackson (12 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks), and he is a veteran of 32 games for the Paladin defensive front during his career.
Jackson returned to the fold at defensive end last season after suffering what was a season-ending injury in Furman’s 24-19 win at Charleston Southern in the fourth game of the 2022 season. Jackson had started all four games prior to his injury in 2022.
Last season, Jackson saw extensive playing time in all 13 games for the Paladins and was backup to Furman’s All-SoCon bookend Jack Barton last season. The 6-0, 265-lb senior from Fleming Island, FL, ended up playing some of his best football on crucial snaps in big games during the 2023 season.
He had one his best performances of the season and of his career in Furman’s 17-14 win at Chattanooga, which helped the Paladins secure at least a share of the 2023 league title. He ended up posting four tackles and two sacks in the Paladins’ late come-from-behind win.
A couple of weeks earlier in Furman’s 27-21 win at Samford, it was Jackson’s sack of Samford QB Quincy Crittendon on fourth-and-long that enabled the Paladins to seal the six-point road win against the defending league champions.
One of those competing to directly represent the legacy of effort, joy and high energy that was always characteristic of Stanfield and was also one of his best friends is Caldwell Bussey (2 tackles).
The 6-3, 283-lb native of Hoover, AL, could see some of his most significant action this fall after redshirting his freshman season in 2023, although it would see Bussey make his collegiate debut in a Purple and White uniform. Last season he made his debut against VMI and made a couple of tackles. Bussey actually made the transition from defensive end to defensive tackle during the spring.
In competition with Bussey for the starting responsibilities will be Malachi Harrison (1 tackle) and Ty Kauserud.
Harrison is entering his third season in the program and has only seen limited action up until this season in a Furman uniform, and will be expected to see his most extensive action in the lineup this fall. He logged action in the first four games last season, making one tackle against Mercer in the 38-14 triumph. Harrison brings excellent athleticism to the Furman defensive front.
Kauserud is a relatively new addition to the Furman football program in January from the IMG Academy. The 6-4, 277-lb native of Apex, N.C., has good size and overall ability, which has been evident in the early portions of preseason camp.
Malakai Dudek (4 tackles) and Marc Hernandez are in line to provide depth behind Stephens at the nose tackle spot. Dudek is a redshirt sophomore from Sharpsburg, GA., where he starred at East Coweta High School as a prep.
Dudek logged action in four games last season as a reserve along the Paladin defensive front, posting four tackles. Hernandez is a 6-4, 307-lb, nose tackle who redshirted last season after spending a season at Army Preparatory School. At 307 lbs, he has the potential to be an imposing presence in the middle of that Paladin defense in much the same fashion that Cameron Coleman was a couple of years ago.
Unfortunately, the Paladins will be without redshirt freshman David Alabi this season, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury during the spring. He most likely would have contributed as a reserve behind Jackson at defensive end this fall.
While Alabi will sidelined for the 2024 season, both redshirt freshman Joshua Stoneking (1 tackle, 0.5 TFL) and junior Quay Rush have been competing to provide depth behind Jackson at defensive end. Stoneking is coming off a good spring, while Rush adds great athleticism as an edge rusher to the bookend position.
Furman’s most recent signing class this past December and February, respectively, featured three signings to help bolster the unit even more this fall. Defensive end Malaki Dobbins (Southern Nash HS/Elm City, N.C.), defensive tackle Demetrius Baldwin (Ware County HS/Waycross, GA), and nose guard Bruce Knauber (Greenville HS/Greenville, S.C.) represent a bright future for the Paladins at all three positions along the defensive line. All three are likely to redshirt this fall, but there’s a chance that one could possibly play his way onto the depth chart in the preseason.
Knauber is among Furman’s most prized signees in the trenches on either side of the football, and at 6-5, 295 lbs, he has good size and overall athleticism, having helped nearby Greenville High School to back-to-back 10-win seasons. In his senior season in 2023, Knauber put up huge numbers along the Red Raiders defensive front, posting 94 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, and 8.5 sacks. He was selected to play in the prestigious North-South All-Star game back in December in Myrtle Beach, which showcases the Palmetto State’s best high school football talent.
While the defensive line has a great mixture of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, the same can be said for the linebacker positions, as the Paladins will lean on veteran leadership at both inside and outside linebacker this fall and in doing so, two of the top defensive players returning in the Southern Conference this fall, with a pair of all-conference performers returning to the fold. The Paladins had a trio of significant departures from the 2023 unit, as Dan Scianna, Nicky Kuzemka, and Braden Gilby have all moved on. That trio was a part of a combined 60 games, 45 starts, and 356 tackles.
Both inside linebacker Evan DiMaggio (79 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR) and ‘BANDIT’ outside linebacker Luke Clark (53 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2 FFs, 1 FR) are both coming off outstanding 2023 season, and both are all-league caliber players.
DiMaggio, who was ranked as the No. 23 recruit in the country as a part of Furman’s No. 2 ranked recruiting class back in 2019, according to HERO Sports, returns as one of the hardest hitters and best tacklers on the Paladin defense. His fundamentally sound ability gives the Paladin defense a strong spine up the middle once again this fall.
The redshirt senior is not only one of the best linebackers in the Southern Conference but also the entire country. He was particularly key in Furman’s 29-17 road win at No. 8 Western Carolina last season, posting 10 tackles and a couple of sacks, garnering league defensive player of the week honors in the process.
In Furman’s 35-28 overtime playoff loss at eventual FCS runner-up Montana, DiMaggio posted a career-high 15 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and two sacks. His 11.5 tackles-for-loss led the team last season, and coming into the 2024 season, DiMaggio was named preseason second-team All-SoCon by the league’s head coaches.
In his Furman career, DiMaggio has seen action in a total of 43 games, making him one of the most experienced players on either side of the ball heading into the 2024 season. He has totaled 165 tackles, 15.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 FRs and has forced a fumble.
Clark is another big-time returnee on the Paladin defense, and it was his 6.5 sacks last season that helped pace a squad that ended the season with a total of 39 sacks and led the league last fall. The 6-3, 253-lb redshirt senior was a consensus All-SoCon pick last season and was a preseason second-team pick this season.
His presence as an edge rusher was key, but also having the ability to drop into coverage on intermediate routes was also key, as defensive coordinator Duane Vaughn was able to utilize what Clark could do in a lot of different phases because of his athletic versatility and his overall football IQ.
Clark was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Furman’s 37-3 win over VMI, as he was able to post three tackles, two sacks, and forced a pair of fumbles, as the Paladins clinched their first outright Southern Conference title in 33 years. He posted a season-high seven tackles in Furman’s season-opening, 45-10, win over Tennessee Tech.
In his Paladin career to this point, Clark has posted 119 tackles, 17.5 TFL, forced four fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
While DiMaggio and Clark headline the unit, it’s one that is stacked full of young playmakers simply waiting for their opportunity, or in the case of inside linebacker Amaah Achina, who is looking finally be able to stay healthy enough to be a factor for the Paladins after winning the starting job at ILB each of the previous two seasons before seeing his season end prematurely with season-ending injuries in both.
Achina might be Furman’s most athletic defender, and through the first week of preseason camp for the Paladins, it’s been Achina who might have been the most impressive player on either side of the football. Achina’s athleticism had been a major deciding factor in him starting at OLB each of the past two seasons, but in the spring, he made the move to the inside alongside DiMaggio.
The 6-1, 212-lb redshirt junior is versatile as a sure-tackler in the middle against the run, as well as being maybe Furman’s top linebacker in dropping into coverage in the passing game. Achina has seen action in only seven games in three seasons as a Paladin linebacker, posting 11 tackles.
While Clark will start at Furman’s ‘BANDIT’ linebacker spot, there is a heated battle to replace Cally Chizik at ‘SPUR’ linebacker on the opposite side to complete the Paladins’ OLB tandem.
Among those in the battle for the starting responsibilities at the ‘SPUR’ position are Will Kobuszewski, Justin Hartwell (5 tackles, 0.5 TFL), and Jack Farrell (Mount Paran Christian/Kennesaw, GA). Both Hartwell and Kobuszewski are redshirt juniors, while Smith and Farrell are redshirt and true freshmen, respectively.
Hartwell is a 5-11, 204-lb product of Atlanta, GA., logged action in 12 games last season, which mostly came as a part of the special teams unit. He saw his most action in Furman’s 34-point win over VMI, posting three of his season total five tackles in the win over the Keydets.
Kobuszewski is a 6-2, 207-lb product of Mooresville, N.C., comes off a 2023 season that saw him make his collegiate debut in Furman’s 28-14 mid-season win over The Citadel. He is coming off a strong performance in the spring.
Smith is a player that should see a prime opportunity to shine for the Paladins this season, as he redshirted the 2023 campaign after arriving from Furman out of Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, TN. The 6-2, 214-lb has good size and athleticism.
Farrell is the youngest of the players competing for time at the ‘SPUR’ position, as he is a preferred walk-on and is in his first season with the program.
The Paladins have plenty of depth at both the ‘BANDIT’ and inside linebacker positions. Alex Maier (25 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF) was one of the top reserves on the defensive side of the football last season at the ‘BANDIT’ position behind Clark.
The 6-4, 238-lb native of Brentwood, TN., made one of the more athletic plays of the season for the Paladin defense, as he tipped a pass from UTC quarterback Matthew Clemmer up into the air and chased down his deflection to complete the interception in impressive fashion. The redshirt junior will be a key piece to the 2024 Paladin defense.
One of the younger players that has a chance to see some significant time in the lineup this fall is a true freshman at the ‘BANDIT’ position this fall is Trevor Short (Brendeis HS/San Antonio, TX). Short is a 6-3, 228-lb true freshman from San Antonio, TX, and is the latest from the Paladin talents recruited that Lone Star State pipeline, which the staff has made a deliberate decision to procure talent from in recent seasons.
With an impressive start to his first preseason camp, Short’s opportunities on the field for the Paladins will likely come sooner than later. Short is a graduate of 6A Brandeis High School where he saw action at several different defensive positions, including OLB, corner, safety, and as an edge pass-rusher.
To give you an idea of how athletic Short is, he was the first player in the history of the Lone Star State to garner all-state honors in both basketball and football and held scholarship offers in both sports.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan Chiedo (2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU) logged his first action at ‘BANDIT’ for the Paladins last season and figures to be in the running to compete for a spot on the depth chart this fall. He saw action in three games as a reserve and member of the special teams.
Redshirt freshman Tanner Schuck is another impressive talent at the ‘BANDIT’ position and is expected to compete for time this fall. The 6-3, 223-lb native of Brentwood, TN., played his prep football at played at 6A Ravenwood High School and was a three-time all-region selection.
Like the ‘BANDIT’ position, there are a litany of talented options that are set to fill out a strong depth chart behind both DiMaggio and Achina at inside linebacker.
Among those competing for time at inside linebacker are a pair of redshirt freshmen, in Ryan Earl and Raleigh Herbert (4 tackles, 1.0 sack). Earl is a 6-2, 228-lb native of Peachtree City, GA., played his prep football at Trinity Christian School, where he was a four-year starter and was a two-time first-team all-region honoree. Herbert is a 6-2, 224-lb native of Cumming, GA, and played his prep football at West Forsyth HS. Herbert logged his first action as a Paladin last season, recording four tackles and one sack in Furman’s 37-3 Senior Day win over VMI.
Redshirt junior Brandt Babin is in his fourth year in the program, and he will compete for time at inside linebacker this fall. Babin likely rounds out the players that could see time at inside linebacker this fall, with the likes of Luke McLaughlin (6 tackles, 1 FR), Owen Plane, and Case Barrett are most likely to log action on special teams.
McLaughlin is a redshirt junior from Couer D’Alene, ID., saw action in four games last season as a reserve, finishing the season with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Rookies Will McQueen (Hammond School/Columbia, S.C.) and Charlie Tack (Out of Door Academy/Sarasota, FL) are likely to redshirt this fall.
Maybe the biggest question about the Furman defense entering the 2024 season is the secondary, where starters; CB Travis Blackshear, CB Ivan Yates, FS Hugh Ryan and SS Kam Brinson have moved on out of the secondary for the Paladin defense.
Those were reliable performers who stepped up and provided strong play for the unit for a good portion of the past four years. Blackshear was second-team All-America (AFCA) last fall, while he was also a first-team All-SoCon honoree. He was joined as an all-league honoree by Ryan, who was a first-team all-league pick by the league’s head coaches while being selected second team by the league’s media.
While the task might seem daunting to replace all four starters from that unit, the Paladins have stocked the cupboard well from both the transfer portal, as well as with talent from the high school ranks. The two additions via the transfer portal that should immediately add to the unit are Georgia State graduate transfer Jalen Tate (Georgia State) and Midwestern State graduate transfer Mo Perkins (Midwestern State) are expected to plug immediate holes in the Furman secondary in 2024.
Tate ended up seeing action in 37 games over three seasons as a Panther, and he was part of a Georgia State team that won a bowl game last fall, as the Panthers finished 7-6 and defeated Utah State, 45-42, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Tate finished his three seasons in a Panthers uniform by contributing 56 tackles, including posting 13 stops in 2023.
He enjoyed his best individual campaign in 13 games back in the 2021 season as a sophomore for GSU, registering a total of 20 tackles, as the Panthers finished off the season with an 8-5 overall mark, which included a 51-20 win over. Ball State.
Tate is a local product, and the 6-1, 198-lb graduate transfer hails from Pelzer, S.C., where he played his prep football at 4A Greenville High School. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as a Paladin and projects as Furman’s starter at free safety, where he would replace Hugh Ryan.
Perkins is a 5-10, 172-lb graduate transfer from Division II Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, , where he garnered playing time in 31 games over three seasons, which included 20 starts over four seasons.
During the 2023 season, Perkins earned starting assignments in all 10 games for the Mustangs last season. Perkins was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention selection and finished the 2023 season with 58 tackles, a sack, an INT, and a pass breakup. He projects as a starter at one of the cornerback positions for the Paladins entering the 2024 season.
Likely to join Tate as a starter at safety this fall will be Caleb Williams (17 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 blkd kick), who is one of the most talented and versatile players returning in the secondary.
Williams has played both cornerback and safety in his Furman career, and he saw action in all 13 games for Furman in 2023. The 6-0, 190-lb native of Tampa, FL., was a 2022 SoCon All-Freshman Team honoree and garnered his first start in a Paladin uniform last season against Samford in what was a 27-21 road win for the Paladins. He recorded his top performance against The Citadel last season, recording four tackles. Williams also registered a blocked punt in Furman’s 37-3 win late last season at VMI. He projects as Furman’s starter at strong safety this fall.
There is pretty strong competition at the other cornerback position, where redshirt sophomores Jalen Gummer(2 tackles) and Charles Ingram V (6 tackles), and redshirt freshmen Brayden Holmes, Hysan Dalton (1 tackle), DJ Lawrence, and Jaylen Moson (2 tackles) all remain squarely in the mix to start at cornerback this fall.
Javaris Jones (Nash Central HS/Rocky Mount, N.C.), Darren Coleman (Central Gwinnett HS/Lawrenceville, GA), and Jordan Miller (Arabia Mountain HS/Conyers, GA) are a trio of talented freshmen who will likely redshirt this season, but all are talented enough to play their way into a larger role in a position of need during fall camp.
The deepest position in the secondary might be free safety, as Baton Rouge, LA., product and rising sophomore AK Burrell(7 tackles) returns off a SoCon All-Freshman season in 2023.
Burrell figures to challenge Tate for time at free safety this and has good athleticism and sports excellent size at 6-0, 208 lbs. Burrell is a physical and is on of the biggest hitters on the Furman back line. Burrell logged action in all 13 games last season for the Paladins, which was spent mostly as a member of the special teams unit. He saw his most reps in Furman’s 37-3 home win over VMI, registering four tackles in the Senior Day win.
Redshirt freshman Vinny Jordan and Billy Lewis along with talented true freshman Den Johnson (Pelham HS/Pelham, GA) are three players who could compete for time at the safety spots this fall. Jordan and Lewis are just listed as “safety” on the Furman roster, while Johnson projects as a strong safety, according to the online roster. Johnson was an outstanding athlete at small, 1A Pelham High School, as he excelled as a running back, rushing for 589 yards and eight TDs as a senior in 2023.
Duplicating the feats of a Paladin secondary that played a big role in helping turn opponents over 56 times the past two seasons, including picking off 35 passes, certainly won’t be easy.
It’s created quite a high bar for a new, but talented crop of defensive backs looking to make their mark, however, I wouldn’t count out this unit in 2024, and they could likely be a better unit than expected, despite the fact that they are a very green unit. The new unit will get quite the introduction and test to their new responsibilities as the last line of the Paladin defense when they take on one of the most prolific offenses in the country in the season opener at Ole Miss (Aug. 31).
Whatever the outcome, the young unit can rest assured they won’t face a more potent aerial attack the entire season no matter who they face.
Special teams is an area that most oftentimes the Paladin football program has utilized to make provide a defining outcome to so many close SoCon gridiron battles during the past four decades, including many that helped a SoCon standard 15 league titles.
The emphasis on that particular area of the game was even magnified more over the previous two seasons, as the Paladins ended up blocking 14 kicks (8 FGs, 2 Punts, 2 PATs) and had a knack for coming up with a tide-turning play from a unit that has been masterfully led by former Presbyterian head coach Tommy Spangler in 2022 and ‘23, respectively.
In fact, the Paladins have ranked in the top three in both kick return average and kick return coverage each of the past two seasons, while also having returned a kickoff for a score in 2022. Last season, the Paladins led the SoCon in kick return average, posting an average of 22.7 YPR, while recording 54 touchbacks and surrendering only 354 return yards on 75 kickoff attempts in 2023.
However, in allowing a kickoff and a punt return for touchdowns by Montana’s Junior Bergen in the 35-28 overtime loss in the the FCS quarterfinals, special teams provided one of the bitterest of pills to swallow for the team and staff heading into the offseason. As a whole though, the unit has been outstanding during Furman’s 20 wins in 26 games over the past two seasons.
The best news heading into 2024 is that veteran place-kicker Ian Williams (18-of-24 FGs, 21-of-21 PATs) returns to handle the kickoff and the place-kicking duties. Williams, who was a preseason first-team All-SoCon selection, split time with Axel Lepvreau on field goals each of the past two seasons, with Williams called upon to handle those of a more substantial distance.
Williams connected on 18-of-24 field goal attempts last season, including connecting on a career-best 52-yard field goal against East Tennessee State in what was a 16-8 win for the Paladins. The 52-yarder by Williams was the fifth-longest kick in program history.
His 18 field goals last fall led the SoCon, while his 75 points scored on field goals and PATs led Furman. Williams, a native of Charlotte, N.C., posted a whopping 54 kickoffs that went for touchbacks last season, boasting a league-leading 73.0 touchback percentage.
While Williams is back and gives the Paladins one of the top place-kickers in FCS football heading into 2024, there is a lot to replace from a year ago, including punter Ryan Leavy, as well as All-SoCon long snapper Julian Ashby. Both Leavy and Ashby have moved on to play their final respective seasons at the FBS level, with Leavy set to continue his career at Duke, while Ashby has moved on to Vanderbilt.
Set to likely assume the punting duties could also be Williams, although having punted just once in his two seasons since transferring into Furman from N.C. State a couple of years ago. Gray Gitter is a redshirt freshman that has shown promise, as well as redshirt sophomore Dawson Jones. The punting responsibilities are still likely to fall to Williams as a result of his overall experience. The long-snapping duties will fall to either Paul Joseph Myers and Jacob Hefner with the two competing for the job in fall camp.
Punt return responsibilities have been handled by Joshua Harris, who averaged 7.4 YPR on 18 returns last season. Look for running back Gavin Hall and wideout Colton Hinton to be leading candidates to be kick return threats this fall. Hinton returned 10 kickoffs for 231 yards last season, averaging an impressive 35.1 YPR.
Furman enters the 2024 football season with more question marks than any team in the Southern Conference, with the primary difference being that the Paladins counter those issues with untested talent.
Furman has become kind of like the Clemson of FCS football, which is to say it’s a program that values developing talent over massive portal additions, and while Furman brought in several additions from the portal each of the previous two seasons to enhance an already solid, experienced foundation, there were only three brought in during the offseason for the 2024 team, as the staff addressed immediate needs at both tight end and in the defensive backfield.
The Paladins had success last season bringing in Mason Pline at tight end, who is performing well with the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason, and this season, look for Joshua Burrell from Florida State to be able to present some matchup problems.
Despite massive losses on offense, particularly at quarterback and on the offensive line, the Paladins appear to have recovered better than most. The offensive line, despite losing four starters, has a lot of experience back and most of the starters this season has seen big game experience in the past.
The lone position where that might not necessarily be the case is at center, where redshirt freshman Chris Luna is expected to see his first action as a starter. Carson Jones is in a battle with Trey Hedden for the starting quarterback duties, but will likely be the starter when the Paladins take the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium turf in the season opener against No. 6 Ole Miss.
The most veteran position on offense is wide receiver, where the top three pass-catchers return. The Paladins might not have household names at running back, but if Grant Robinson and Myion Hicks can beat the injury bug this fall, and with the return of Jay’Quan Smith to full health, at least one of that aforementioned trio could be contending for all-conference honors by season’s end.
On defense, the equation is much simpler. Furman’s front seven should again be among the best in the league, however, the secondary will draw the most scrutiny heading into the season, as it has the least experience returning from a year ago of any of the three units on defense. That’s why the additions of Jalen Tate from Georgia State and Mo Perkins from Midwestern State could have a profound impact this fall.
Furman will be a playoff team again, and challenging for another title should again be in play, but the main question will be how much will the lack of experience affect those hopes this fall. The Paladins are still probably realistically year away from challenging for title No. 16, but it wouldn’t be a major shock if they repeated as league champs for the first time since they were able to accomplish that feat way back in 1989 and ‘90.
Games marked with an asterisk (*) are conference games.
Be sure to check back in the next couple of weeks for more SoCon team previews.
