Football 2025 Roster Reload: Georgia Southern Eagles

Georgia Southern enters the 2025 season looking to reset after a 2024 campaign that showed flashes of high-powered offense and resilient defense but ultimately fell short of postseason expectations.

The Eagles lost 52 players from last year’s roster, including 16 to the transfer portal. Head coach Clay Helton and his staff responded by bringing in 40 new players, among them 22 incoming freshmen.

The level of turnover presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Helton, who is entering his fourth season leading the program. With several key veterans gone, the focus shifts to developing depth and identifying new contributors.

Despite standout individual performances last season, inconsistency and roster gaps kept Georgia Southern just outside Sun Belt title contention. As 2025 begins, the Eagles aim to rebuild around young talent and reestablish themselves in the conference race.

Departures

One of the most notable losses is wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr., who graduated after leading the Eagles in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (659). Burgess was a consistent playmaker who often drew the attention of opposing defenses, opening up opportunities for the rest of the offense. His departure leaves a void in experience and production that Georgia Southern’s receiving corps will need to fill quickly.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!

DERWIN. BURGESS. JR. #HailSouthern | @derwinnn2 pic.twitter.com/Jsy2Id68a8

— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) October 13, 2024

In the backfield, Jalen White moves on to the NFL, signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. White’s physical running style powered the offense, as he led the team with 744 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His ability to carry the workload and find the end zone made him one of the most valuable players on the roster.

Defensively, the loss of linebacker Marques Watson-Trent may be the most impactful. He transferred to Nebraska after racking up a staggering 118 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Watson-Trent was the heart of the Georgia Southern defense, known for his range, leadership, and ability to read plays before they developed.

Georgia Southern LB Marques Watson-Trent has been named the 2024 @SunBelt Defensive Player of the Year.

Watson-Trent had 110 total tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was tied for fifth in the nation with 4 forced fumbles. pic.twitter.com/2ZUtx5EaK9

— Jeff Roberts (@JeffRoberts__) December 5, 2024

The Eagles will also need to find answers on special teams after the graduation of Gavin Stewart, who handled both kicking and punting duties. Stewart was reliable from long range, converting 15 of 18 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards. He also consistently flipped field position with booming punts that averaged nearly 63 yards. His versatility made him a hidden asset for the team.

Additions

Georgia Southern enters the 2025 season with one of the most promising rosters in recent memory, thanks in part to having the second-best recruiting class in the Sun Belt. Among the most exciting additions is Weston Bryan, a dual-threat quarterback out of Lee County, Ga.

He arrives with staggering high school numbers—nearly 5,000 passing yards and 55 touchdowns, plus almost 2,000 rushing yards and 43 rushing scores. His dynamic ability gives the Eagles a new weapon under center and sets the tone for a potentially explosive offense.

Lee County 2025 QB and Georgia Southern commit @Westonbryan15 went OFF for @rockerlee229 vs Colquitt County, getting it down on the ground and through the air.

Watch out for the Trojans this season 👀

Full Highlights 🎥: https://t.co/DqxeNz0lQE pic.twitter.com/i08Vq9cTLQ

— THE PLATFORM (@THEPLATFORMDR) September 14, 2024

On the defensive side, linebacker Ethan Johnson from Decatur, Ga. brings immediate intrigue. Johnson recorded 231 total tackles as a senior, with 44 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, and five interceptions. His instinctive play and athleticism give him the tools to make an early impact at the collegiate level.

In addition to a standout recruiting class, Georgia Southern’s transfer portal class ranked 11th in the Sun Belt, bringing in key contributors for 2025. One of the most notable additions is tight end River Helms from Western Kentucky.

Helms brings veteran experience and production, having totaled over 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons. He provides a reliable target in the passing game.

Another key offensive weapon is wide receiver Camden Brown, who transferred from Auburn. Although his time in the SEC was limited, he flashed potential with 26 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns. In Georgia Southern’s pass-friendly system, Brown could emerge as a top option.

Hank Brown 🤝 Camden Brown https://t.co/QzXDSyhnER pic.twitter.com/EsD29GhkXA

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 14, 2024

On the defensive line, freshman Amari Wilson of Colquitt County, Ga. arrives with one of the most dominant high school resumes in the state. He totaled over 150 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks as a senior. His strength, motor, and explosiveness could earn him playing time early in his college career.

Then comes one of the hate-filled storylines for these new-look Eagles… some might say “Deeper than Hate.”

App State linebacker Brendan Harrington, entering his seventh season on a college roster, leaves Boone to join up with rival Georgia Southern. Harrington posted 163 total tackles in six seasons for the Mountaineers, a career plagued with injuries that cut his 2022 and 2023 seasons short. After bouncing back for a career-high 65 tackles in 2024, Harrington heads six hours down the road to experience the other side of the Sun Belt’s biggest rivalry.

Sun Belt Syndicate rated Clay Helton’s seat as “Lukewarm.” Although the team improved in the win column, Helton now has three straight bowl losses since taking over in the 2022 season.

The Eagles will begin the journey towards the SBC Championship on August 30, heading to Fresno, CA to take on the Fresno State Bulldogs in Week 1. This will be the front end of back-to-back west coast trips, with Week 2 pitting the Eagles against USC.