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Which Georgia Southern football players could be selected for All-Sun Belt honors?

nathan dominitz, savannah morning news
·8 min read

Quarterback Kyle Vantrease's lone season in Statesboro has been one for the record books.

The sixth-year transfer has led Georgia Southern (6-6, 3-5 Sun Belt) to bowl eligibility by smashing program records in the Eagles' new, pass-friendly offense.

On Thursday morning, Vantrease and the Eagles will find out if they've received All-Sun Belt postseason awards and honors after a vote of league coaches and selected media members.

Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) looks to pass against Nebraska during the first half on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb.
Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) looks to pass against Nebraska during the first half on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb.

In a conference stacked with veteran quarterbacks, Vantrease, a transfer from the University of Buffalo, could be among the favorites for Newcomer of the Year with James Madison QB Todd Centeio, though the category is open to all positions. Last Saturday, when host Georgia Southern battled with the 2021 season's award winner Chase Brice and Appalachian State, Vantrease threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner in double overtime.

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"He's amazing, the best quarterback I've ever been a part of," said sixth-year wide receiver Ezrah Archie, who caught the 25-yard TD in the 51-48 win over the Mountaineers. "He's a leader. ... He's a great guy. He's going to have a tremendous future."

For the season, Vantrease leads the SBC in passing yards per game (325.1) and total passing yards (3,901) — and ranks third in the FBS in both categories.

He also leads the league in completions (343); attempts (559); total offense (327.2 yards per game combining his passing and rushing yards); and, to his detriment, interceptions (15).

Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease talks about the home win over Ball State on Sept. 24 and the upcoming game Oct. 1 at Coastal Carolina during the weekly press conference Monday on campus in Statesboro.
Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease talks about the home win over Ball State on Sept. 24 and the upcoming game Oct. 1 at Coastal Carolina during the weekly press conference Monday on campus in Statesboro.

His 25 touchdown passes are tied for second in the SBC with JMU's Centeio and South Alabama's Carter Bradley, a newcomer like Vantrease who also transferred from a Mid-American Conference school (Toledo). Brice is tops in the conference with 27 TDs.

Vantrease still has one more game with Georgia Southern, which will learn its bowl future next weekend. He already has set program marks for one season in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns among a myriad of single-season and single-game school records.

Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) leaps over Nebraska's Ernest Hausmann (15) to score a touchdown during the second half on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Georgia Southern won 45-42. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) leaps over Nebraska's Ernest Hausmann (15) to score a touchdown during the second half on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Georgia Southern won 45-42. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

As a team, Georgia Southern leads the Sun Belt in total offense (468.6 ypg), total yards (5,623), average passing yards (327.8 ypg), total passing yards (3,934), attempts (565), completions (345), average first downs (25.4 per game), total first downs (305), first downs passing (177) and by penalty (34).

The Eagles are best of the 14 teams at converting on third down (85 of 180, 47.2%), and for yielding the fewest sacks (seven).

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That last statistic could bring positive attention to the offensive line. The Eagles returned four of five starters from 2021 in Caleb Kelly, Logan Langemeier, Brian Miller and Khalil Crowder, an All-SBC third-team honoree in 2021. This season, five players have started all 12 games on offense: Vantrease, Crowder, Kelly, Langemeier and true freshman Pichon Wimbley.

Clay Helton, in his first season at the helm of Georgia Southern and a former college quarterback and QBs coach, said Vantrease brings more to the team than what's measured in statistics.

Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton hugs senior quarterback Kyle Vantrease before the Nov. 26, 2022 game against Appalachian State.
Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton hugs senior quarterback Kyle Vantrease before the Nov. 26, 2022 game against Appalachian State.

"I've always thought great quarterbacks give your team hope," Helton said on Nov. 21. "Every game you went into, you have hope. That's what (Vantrease) does for us. There's not one game that we don't think we can compete in, not one game we don't think we can win. It's because of him. His veteran leadership and his poise just gives us an opportunity in each and every game.

"He has this quiet demeanor about him, this calmness, that as we've suffered some injuries down the stretch here, and got a lot of young people on the field, they're calm because of how he reacts, how he pumps them up," Helton continued. "Then he's productive; he makes plays. We would not have this opportunity if he wasn't the triggerman and doing what he's doing right now for us. We're very thankful Kyle's here. He's had a great year, a nationally recognized year."

Vantrease has earned weekly honors for his feats on offense from the Sun Belt Conference (twice) and the Walter Camp Football Foundation as the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive Player of the Week (once).

Here is a non-all-inclusive list of other Georgia Southern players among the league statistical leaders who could be candidates for the Sun Belt's all-conference teams:

Georgia Southern's Jalen White (25) runs past Nebraska defensive back Marques Buford Jr. (1) on Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Georgia Southern's Jalen White (25) runs past Nebraska defensive back Marques Buford Jr. (1) on Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Jalen White, running back, jr.

The Eagles' most-featured back for the first time in his three-year college career, White was seventh in the league in average rushing yards at 83.1 per game and eighth in all-purpose yards (102.8 average). He had 162 carries for 914 yards, a 5.6 average, and 10 touchdowns before injuring his knee in Game 11.

Alex Raynor adds an extra point after a touchdown. He contributed three second-half field goals as Georgia Southern beat No. 25 James Madison 45-38 on Oct. 15, 2022, at Paulson Stadium.
Alex Raynor adds an extra point after a touchdown. He contributed three second-half field goals as Georgia Southern beat No. 25 James Madison 45-38 on Oct. 15, 2022, at Paulson Stadium.

Alex Raynor, kicker, redshirt jr.

After winning the kicking battle in fall camp, Raynor has kept his grip on the position with consistently solid efforts, including last Saturday against App State. He was 6 of 6 on extra points and made a 35-yard field goal, as well as rushed 3 yards on a fake kick for a first down, to earn the SBC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.

This season, Raynor leads all SBC kickers with 96 points for an 8.0 average. He's made 48 of 49 extra-point attempts and 16 of 18 field-goal attempts (88.98%) with a long of 46.

Anthony Beck II (7), a South Effingham High School graduate, punts to Morgan State in the 2022 season and home opener at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Statesboro.
Anthony Beck II (7), a South Effingham High School graduate, punts to Morgan State in the 2022 season and home opener at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Statesboro.

Anthony Beck II, punter, redshirt sr.

All-SBC second team in 2021, Beck finished fourth in punting average (43.6) this season. He totaled 2,048 yards on 47 punts, with three touchbacks, nine fair catches, 16 inside the 20 and 11 of 50-plus yards with a long of 59.

Georgia Southern receiver Khaleb Hood (7) extends to catch a pass in front of Nebraska defender Isaac Gifford (23) on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The reception set up the Eagles' game-winning touchdown, Kyle Vantrease's 8-yard quarterback draw with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Southern receiver Khaleb Hood (7) extends to catch a pass in front of Nebraska defender Isaac Gifford (23) on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The reception set up the Eagles' game-winning touchdown, Kyle Vantrease's 8-yard quarterback draw with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Georgia Southern receivers

The Eagles' offense designed by offensive coordinator Bryan Ellis and operated by Vantrease has done such a good job at spreading the ball around, several receivers could be considered.

Senior Khaleb Hood, an honorable-mention selection in 2021, is first in the SBC at 6.7 receptions per game. On his way to becoming the Eagles' all-time leader in single-season and career catches, Hood had 80 in 12 games for 896 yards, an 11.2 average per catch, 74.67 yards per game (fifth in the league) and three TDs.

Georgia Southern wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr. reaches to make a 12-yard touchdown grab with 1:28 left in the second quarter as quarterback Kyle Vantrease lofted the pass where only his receiver could possibly catch it.
Georgia Southern wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr. reaches to make a 12-yard touchdown grab with 1:28 left in the second quarter as quarterback Kyle Vantrease lofted the pass where only his receiver could possibly catch it.

Sophomore Derwin Burgess Jr. is sixth in the league with 71.7 yards per game in 10 games before a season-ending injury. He made 58 catches for 717 yards, 5.8 receptions per game (fourth in SBC) and 12.4 yards per reception.

Redshirt senior Jeremy Singleton, a transfer from Houston, has made an impact with 5.5 catches a game (fifth in SBC) and 66 catches for 714 yards. Amare Jones played in eight games before a season-ending injury, and had 35 receptions for 453 yards for 60.4 yards per game and six total touchdowns.

Georgia Southern on defense

While the Eagles have posted big numbers in production on offense, the other side of the ball has suffered. Georgia Southern ranks last in the Sun Belt in total defense (496.2 yards per game), average yards per play (6.7), total yards allowed (5,954), rushing yards allowed (2,880), passing yards allowed (3,074) and rushing defense (240.0 per game).

The pass defense is 13th at 256.2 yards a game. These are not statistics that support all-star honors for individual players.

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The red-zone defense, however, sports a league-best clip of 74% (43 of 58). Opponents have scored 28 touchdowns, made 15 of 21 field-goal attempts, fumbled the ball away once, been intercepted twice and turned the ball over on downs three times.

Georgia Southern linebacker Marques Watson-Trent leaps into the air as he celebrates a defensive stand during Saturday's game against Appalachian State.
Georgia Southern linebacker Marques Watson-Trent leaps into the air as he celebrates a defensive stand during Saturday's game against Appalachian State.

Marques Watson-Trent, inside linebacker, redshirt so.

The Eagles' defense has been on the field a lot, and Watson-Trent has been especially busy. He's third in the Sun Belt at 8.8 tackles per game. He has collected 44 solos and 61 assisted tackles for 105 total, the most since Ukeme Eligwe (104) in 2016.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns tight end Pearse Migl (24) makes a catch as Georgia Southern safety Anthony Wilson (12) makes the tackle Nov. 10, 2022, at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns tight end Pearse Migl (24) makes a catch as Georgia Southern safety Anthony Wilson (12) makes the tackle Nov. 10, 2022, at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Anthony Wilson, safety, redshirt jr.

An All-SBC third-team defensive back in 2021, Wilson has delivered big hits all over the field. He's eighth in the league at 7.7 tackles per game (57 solo, 35 assisted for 92 total).

Among players who could receive consideration are linebacker Khadry Jackson (20th with 6.5 tackles per game); defensive backs Wylan Free (6.4 tpg), Derrick Canteen (fifth with 1.09 passes defended per game), Tyler Bride (11th with 0.83) and NaJee Thompson (0.83); and defensive end Justin Ellis (4.5 sacks), an honorable mention in 2021.

Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Southern football players for All-Sun Belt Conference teams