The Sports Inquirer

Release from Georgia State Athletics

ATLANTA – On Georgia State’s first day of two-a-days, head coach Trent Miles left the field feeling good about the progress that his team has made during the first six days of preseason.

“We have made a lot of progress and we are getting better every day,” Miles said after the Wednesday morning session. “There are a lot of guys getting a lot of reps. The ones, twos and threes are all getting equal reps right now, and a lot of kids are getting better. We don’t really do the old fashioned two-a-days. We are more concerned about making sure that they guys stay healthy and fresh. The focus this morning was offense and defense and this afternoon it will be all special teams.”

One group that Miles is determined to keep healthy is the offensive line that was decimated by injuries last season. Last season GSU started 10 different offensive line combinations in 12 games. However, the injuries did allow for more players to gain valuable experience.

The Panthers return three lineman who started at least 5 games last season in A.J. Kaplan (12 starts), Tim Wynn (10 starts) and Garrett Gorringe (5 starts). The o-line is also strengthed by the addition of junior college transfers Taylor Evans, Michael Ivory and Steve Wolgamott in addition to freshman Alex Stoehr.

“The offensive line is coming along,” Miles said. “We just need to keep them healthy, because you must have continuity. We need to keep the same guys out there so that is why we keep our workouts short, fast and furious. We don’t want to drag things out to long and expose these guys to injuries, because we have to get them to the starting block.”

The Panthers will have a good mix of experience and youth on the offensive front and the coaching staff expects good things from many of the newcomers in 2014. Evans came to GSU in the spring of 2013 from Saddleback College in his home state of California. He redshirted last season and is now raring to get onto the field.

“Practice has been pretty good,” said Evans, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday. “It has been fun to be out here with the guys and we are having a good time. The heat has not been too much of a factor for the o-line, we just have to focus and compete. It is all about competing right now. We have been able to work well together. We are friends on and off the field so we communicate well. I believe that we are going to be a dominant offensive line this season.”

Miles will be very pleased if Evans’ prediction comes true but right now everyone’s focus is on one thing, the season opener against Abilene Christian on Aug. 27 in the Georgia Dome.