By: Mac Brown, @SSN_GSU
I want to start this article by thanking the legendary Allison George. Allison worked as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications and was the primary media contact for the Panthers' football and baseball programs for over 15 years. Anyone who’s came across Allison knew how dedicated and helpful she was when it came to anything Georgia State related. I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors and will never forget how integral she was to me starting a career in sports media.
With that being said, it’s a #NewAtlanta in just about every way imaginable.
Under Shawn Elliott, the media would get about 15-20 minutes to film some practice and do what they could from there. The first day of Fall Camp for new head coach, Dell McGee, allowed media to record essentially as long as they wanted to. “Don’t just come back one day…come back tomorrow…”. McGee said with a smile from the podium as he ended his presser with the media. It’s safe to say McGee seems to “get” what it means to be a head coach of a young program in a major city like Atlanta. Allowing more access and coverage of your team will only increase interest from the surrounding communities. There is virtually no disadvantage in doing this and if Georgia State ever wants a seat at the table in the world of college football down south, GSU will need to welcome any and all coverage of the program.
The intensity was that of what you would have expected too with it being the first day of Fall Camp. You could hear yelling from coaches and players alike all throughout the practice field like different bombs exploding spread out across a battlefield. You could hear offensive coordinator, Jim Chaney, from the parking lot as you walked in. The sound of sleds popping from the brute strength of the front-seven, the blow of a whistle here and there, and the sun beating down on us all like a bass drum in a marching band. The sights, sounds, and elements of Fall Camp were in full force Thursday morning.
As far as what was seen from the players, it is a little hard to tell on Day 1. But something that did stand out was the tightness of, Pittsburgh transfer QB, Christian Veilleux’s spiral. There likely hasn’t been a QB with as much raw talent as Veilleux in the short history of this program. He’ll still need to edge out Georgia Tech transfer QB in Zach Gibson for the starting nod but if he is able to do just that, look out. However, Gibson seemed to clearly have more control and understanding on the field than Veilleux with Gibson being in the locker room longer. Needless to say, a starter hasn’t been named yet and CDM isn't budging on who it could be just yet either. At the end of the day though, when you’re in the middle of the most talented starting QB battle this school has ever seen, you have to feel good about your position. There was even hints at both playing considerable time this season. And truly only time will tell with this.
Wrapping up a humid, energetic first day of Fall Camp under first year HC Dell McGee and it's in the books. From the smallest of details to the biggest decisions within a football program, there was an unprecedented amount of change happening at Center Parc Stadium. Change is exciting, and at times necessary. Unfortunately, change naturally brings a level of uncertainty with it. It’s uncertain whether this change will end up leading to the visions of grandeur of Fall Camp or something less desirable for the Panthers. But as of now, this change is wanted and welcomed and it’s just getting started.
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