We've Moved!

What a great ride it has been.  I've had hundreds of comments and kind words since October 23, 2009 when my first post went live (it's HERE if you don't remember or haven't been around that long).

Today will be the final day that this blog will exist on this site.  Fear not, Bruce and I will be blogging for the front page of our great friends at www.PantherTalk.com full time.  Please check out our work on the front page and also dive into the mayhem that is the Message Board Forums.  You also can purchase Panther gear via a strategic partner in Football Fanatics.

I want to personally thank each and every one of you who have read these pages the last 19 months.  Thank you for reading and I look forward to seeing you on PantherTalk.

-Ben Moore

Former Panther Pitcher, David Buchanan, Earns Start in Class A All-Star Game

Photo Courtesy of MiLB.com

Former Georgia State starting pitcher David Buchanan was selected to start for the Northern Division in the 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star game. The Peachtree City native was selected by the Phillies in the 7th round of the 2010 MLB Draft after his Junior season. He was previously selected in the 6th round of the 2009 draft by the Mets but optioned to stay at Georgia State for another season.

David currently plays for the Lakewood Blueclaws (you cannot help but to love minor league baseball at least for the mascot names) and leads the league in wins (8) and has the 6th best ERA (2.85).

Congratulations to David as he is well on his way to advancing in the Phillies minor league system!

AJC: Ron Hunter knows free shoes can change a life

AJC Link

Great write up by Doug on CRH.  I'm glad to have this guy as our coach.

AJC: Georgia State Football Goes 8-3 in 2011

Not much in depth but a score prediction from the AJC's Mark Bradley:

Georgia State will go 8-3. It will, however, lose 51-10 at Houston on Sept. 24. Which, when you consider the Panthers lost 63-7 at Alabama last season, will be a sign of progress.

If we go 8-3 in 2011, I'll do backflips down Decatur Street.  This would be an tremendous success.

Charlotte Rejected By SoCon, Big South. Is CAA Football On Deck?

GoBlueRidge.net Link

Another FCS team entering the fray and not getting the response from a football only invite that they would like.  I still believe that Georgia State is much better positioned for the long term than the 49ers but I'd be suprised if Commissioner Yeager doesn't offer a football only invite to Charlotte as his league is quickly falling apart.

Dexter Moody, Former UGA Signee, Enrolls at Georgia State

This.  Is. Huge.

I'm extremely please that we snagged Moody.

From ESPN Scouts, Inc. in 2009:

Moody has one of the best upsides of any defensive prospect in the past few high school classes. He has natural physical gifts and is well-developed for his age. He's tall, athletically built and has a very wide wingspan and long body that should fill out.

He is a tremendous talent and the highest rated defensive player we've ever had on our campus.

I expect him to immediately fight for playing time and should immediately help us at LB. Our LB corps are in great shape moving forward even with the Muasau brothers graduating. Moody will be a RS Sophomore having 3 years helps a ton and I could see him developing into an All conference/All-American type player by his Senior season. He's extremely hungry and makes plays all over the place.

He was asked recently why he chose Georgia State.  Moody's response: "It's Georgia. [My] Family can come to my games."

Welcome to the family Dexter!

SB Nation Link

Doug's AJC Blog

New Faces on the Football Team

We've reached the start of summer school and summer workouts!  Over the next few days, our roster will be updated with the 7 recruits (8 if you count CB D'Mario Gunn who enrolled in January) and numerous new names and faces. 

Here's a list as it sits today and my thoughts on each player:

Freshman DE McClain Head - February Signee, has increase his weight to 255lbs.
Freshman S Nick Henderson - February Signee - Likely to take a RS but will likely fight for a spot on special teams.
Freshman OL David Huey - February Signee - Needs to RS, IMO.
Freshman QB Ben McClane - February Signee  - Needs to RS, IMO but may not be an option because he'll serve as the primary back up for KH4 during the first four games.
Freshman DE Roderick Thompson - February Signee - Needs a RS but we are thin at DE, IMO.
Junior LB Qwontez Mallory - February Signee - Arrived at 215lbs (not 235lbs as some speculated) and will immediately contribute.  Would like to see a 5-8lbs weight increase this summer and come to Fall camp at 220+.
Junior S Demazio Skelton - February Signee - Arrived at 190lbs and I expect him to fight for immediate laying time at Free Safety.  Really high on this kid.
RS Jr. TE Kyle Irby - Transfer from Brevard College - Walk On and could contribute on special teams.
Junior S Rashad Stewart - Transfer from Louisville - Immediate impact player on special teams and within the Safety rotation.  This kid made plays for Drake in 2009.  Was on Louisville's roster in 2010.
Freshman OL Tyler Ferguson - Flint River Academy - Griffin, GA - Impressive looking kid.  Will likely RS this Fall.  Could be play either tackle spots and will likely be cross trained.
Freshman S Nathaniel Minor - Brookwood HS - Another impressive kid with good size.  Will likely RS this Fall.
RS Sr. WR Cordero Ivory - Transfer from Ventura College - Walk-On with great size (6'5, 200lbs).  Interesting to see how we utilize Ivory and see how he grasps the offensive playbook.  Former DE prospect who has grown 4 inches since HS. Was a track guy as well, once high jumped 5'10 feet.  Goal line jump balls should be fun to watch.

Also said to be enrolled or will enroll:
Junior DE AJ Portee - Transfer from UCONN - Rumored to be attending.  May have some academic hurdles but would be an immediate impact player.
RS Sophomore LB Dexter Moody - Former UGA signee out of ECI.  Tremendous player with a ton of upside.  3 years of remaining eligibility and would be an immediate impact player at LB.
 
No longer with the program:

Sr. NG Dion Peary - Was sliding down the depth chart and hopefully will stay in school and graduate.
RS Soph. DE Demetreious Shorter - Sliding down the depth chart, battled weight issues and was rumored to possibly change positions to try to maintain a spot.

Former Georgia State Basketball Coach Lefty Driesell Inducted Into SoCon HOF

Great article and thanks to The Voice for shooting it to me.

ESPN Link

OL Starts Across College Football

From Phil Steele

For comparison sake, Georgia State football brings back a total of 86 combined starts along the offensive line.