By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Georgia Southern Eagles held their first practice with helmets and shoulder pads (known as x9cshellsx9d) today on the banks of beautiful Eagle Creek in Statesboro, Georgia.

The Georgia Southern Eagles held their first practice with helmets and shoulder pads (known as x9cshellsx9d) today on the banks of beautiful Eagle Creek in Statesboro, Georgia. Temperatures ranged in the mid 50s and the Eagles took advantage and competed vigorously for their first time in pads since their Sun Belt championship. Here are some key points that were noticed in watching the Eagles practice:

xb7 Second-team All-Sun Belt player Kevin Ellison looked as fluid as ever directing the first team offense, making some great throws as well as great reads. Favian Upshaw ran the second string effortlessly as well. Look for the Eagles to use both Ellison and Upshaw more dangerously this year.

xb7 The offensive line contained many new faces after losing four starters last season. Senior Darien Foreman has the most experience after starting eight games last season and looks to lead the “x98Hawgsx9d

xb7 Redshirt sophomore running back Chaz Thornton took reps with the first team offense with Matt Breida out for todays practice. L.A. Ramsby split reps with Thornton and looked two steps quicker than last season.

xb7 BJ Johnson has now made the transition to slot receiver. The 61, 215-pound receiver will be a huge target for the Eagles this year. Derek Keaton impressed by catching two incredible passes after burning the coverage.

xb7 The defensive line looked solid even with Jay Ellison and Lennie Richardson both out from todays practice. Bernard Dawson and Quaun Daniels were with the first team defense at defense end with JB Battle and Jamal Johnson inside at nose guard and defensive tackle.

xb7 Antonio Glover and Matt Dobson controlled the secondary and are looking to increase the chemistry from last year, making them one of the most dangerous secondaries in the Sun Belt.

Courtesy of Southern Pigskin’s Rashad Williams