2026 Georgia Southern University Depth Chart
The biggest story entering 2026 is complete offensive roster turnover at the skill positions. JC French IV transferred to Cincinnati, OJ Arnold exhausted eligibility, and the entire WR top-three — Camden Brown, Marcus Sanders Jr., and Dalen Cobb — are all gone. The answer at QB is Max Johnson, a 6th-year graduate transfer with credentials at LSU, Texas A&M, and UNC. His 6,000+ career passing yards and 49 TDs represent serious pedigree, even if he was benched at UNC by Gio Lopez. At the Sun Belt level under Clay Helton’s pro-style scheme, Johnson should thrive in a pocket-friendly system. Turner Helton is a viable backup by familiarity with his father’s system; Tyler Budge profiles as developmental QB3.
At running back, David Mbadinga has been the patient understudy to OJ Arnold for three seasons and now ascends to RB1 — a workhorse in waiting who understands the system deeply. Terrance Gibbs flashed as a short-yardage and pass-catching option and profiles well as a change-of-pace RB2. JUCO transfer Tyrese Woodgett rounds out the backfield with fresh legs. The receiver room is a total rebuild with 7 portal additions. Kam Mikell is the gem — a top-20 national recruit who chose Colorado before returning home to Statesboro. Andre Greene Jr. is the most physically proven at 6-2, a veteran who was getting ACC snaps but never broke out. Noble Johnson provides the jump-ball dimension at WR3, while returning veterans Dylan Gary and Taylor Bradshaw provide system experience.
Georgia Southern enters 2026 with legitimate offensive pieces but they are almost all first-year contributors in this system. Max Johnson’s ability to operate Clay Helton’s pro-style offense from Day 1 is the single most critical variable for the entire Eagles’ fantasy footprint. If he clicks with Mikell and Greene early, this is a legitimately productive Sun Belt offense. River Helms fills the TE void with veteran blocking and red-zone ability; JP Mikhael returns as the reliable TE2. Donal Dempsey is the incumbent kicker.