Offense
The quarterback position belongs to 24-year-old North Carolina transfer Max Johnson. His 7th year will be spent back home in Georgia. He has faced so much adversity during his college career that it is easy to root for him. He is smart, tough, and can really spin it. Weston Bryan is the young gun waiting his turn.
The running back room loses a lot of production from OJ Arnold graduating. A committee of backs, including David Mbadinga, Terrance Gibbs, and Jamarion Samuel will all see action. The most talented of the group may be JUCO transfer Tyrese Woodgett, but he is coming off an injury.
The wide receiver room returns Josh Dallas from injury, but will be very transfer heavy. The additions of Kam Mikell (Colorado), Ashton Hollins (Illinois), Alex Taylor (North Carolina), Noble Johnson (Arizona State), Andre Greene Jr. (Virginia), Cam King (Auburn), and King Phillips (D2 Texas A&M-Kingsville) are massive.
The offensive line room returns some experience in Ty Furnish, Caelan Williams, and Colin Alexander. The additions of Mo Clipper Jr. (Charlotte), Cole Norred (East Tennessee State), and Josh Raymond (Florida State) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in MJ Stroud (All-SBC), Caleb Moore, Latrell Bullard, Kebba Secka, and Elijah Fears. The additions of Anthony Bynum (Middle Tennessee State, All-CUSA), O’Marion Brown (Wofford), and Festus Davies (West Georgia) are significant.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Brandon Tyson, Holden Trice, and CJ Allen Jr. Tyson is the playmaker on this defense. The additions of Rashon Myles Jr. (Abilene Christian) and Diego Aviles (D2 Wingate) are massive. Expect Myles Jr. and Tyson to start.
The secondary returns some experience in Tracy Hill Jr., Carlo Thompson, Chance Gamble, among a plethora of young players. The additions of Aaron Sears (Stephen F Austin), Gregory Delaine Jr. (Syracuse), Noah Mangham (Abilene Christian), Jakyri Jones (SE Louisiana), AJ Brown (Ole Miss), and Aidan McCowan (Nicholls) should pay dividends.
Specialists
Both kicker Tripp Bryant and punter Alex Smith return. Smith has been an All-SBC performer for two years now, while Bryant was reliable as a freshman.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Charleston Southern
- 9/12 at Clemson
- 9/19 at Jacksonville State
- 9/26 Houston
- 10/3 at Coastal Carolina
- 10/10 James Madison
- 10/15 at Old Dominion
- 10/31 App State
- 11/7 Marshall
- 11/14 at Georgia State
- 11/21 at Troy
- 11/28 Louisiana Tech
Final Analysis
6-6 regular seasons have been the norm under Clay Helton (three out of four seasons). The defense should be improved as a whole. The offense needs to settle on a QB, Johnson has the tools, and playmakers must emerge. If that happens, the Eagles can absolutely contend for the Sun Belt East crown.
