Georgia State Football opens the doors to #BeTheChange18 bright and early today as prospects begin the process to formally accept their grants in aid at 7:00am ET as the Early Signing Period official begins.

To steal a line from friend of PT Bud Elliott:

"The time has come for the parade of the committed to officially bind themselves to the university."

The Panthers could sign as many 20 prospects in what will be the highest rated signing class in the program's eight year history. Head coach Shawn Elliott's second class will be made up of four early enrollees, two JUCO prospects and the rest from the high school ranks from Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia and Florida.

The Process

These prospects will fax or scan their National Letters of Intent in to the football office, then it is reviewed by Compliance and will be announced publicly.

Linebacker Blake Carroll is the first to sign with Georgia State in the Early Signing Period

7:20am Update: Linebacker Blake Carroll Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Blake is a 6'2, 220lbs outside linebacker prospect with serious striking ability. He racked up 76 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Caroll is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and he chose GSU over offers from 16 schools in total including P5 programs Iowa State, Rutgers and Sun Belt foes Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Troy amongst others.

7:45am Update: Offensive Lineman Brandon Joseph Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Joseph is an interior offensive line prospect who can play Guard or Center at the next level. He has good size at 6'2, 280lbs and chose GSU over offers from Troy, South Florida and several FCS programs.

8:00am Update: Wide Receiver Diondre Champaigne Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Dre is a big time target on the outside and has excellent size and speed. He is a former South Carolina commit from Fort Dorchester High School in South Carolina. Champaigne chose GSU over an offer from Colorado State.

Defensive End Marlon Young becomes the first player from Louisiana to sign with GSU.

8:30am Update: Defensive Ends Marlon Young and Tre Moore Sign

Young Commit Story

Our Take: Young is a 6'3, 245lbs rush defensive end prospect who has the ability to stand up and play on the outside as well. He's very physical and has played all over the defensive line in high school. Marlon held offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Idaho and a handful of FCS programs.

Moore Commit Story

Our Take: Moore is a 6'2, 230lbs weak side defensive end prospect who is a big time pass rushing threat off the edge. He tallied 71 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a Junior. He chose GSU over offers from several FCS programs.

8:40am Update: Safety Jacorey Crawford Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Jacorey is a 6'1, 205 heat seeking missile in the back third. He has good speed and has played cornerback early in his high school career. Crawford held offers from Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Ball State and several other FCS programs. He will enroll at GSU in January.

8:50am Update: Defensive End TJ Smith Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Smith is a 6'2, 240lbs weakside defensive end prospect with a high motor and ability to get into the backfield in a major way. He racked up 67 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as a Junior in 2016. TJ chose GSU over offers from multiple FCS programs.

Cornerback Tyler Gore

9:00am Update: Cornerback Tyler Gore Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Tyler is a 5'10, 175lbs cover corner prospect with serious speed and acceleration. He chose the Panthers over offers from Old Dominion, Navy and several FCS programs. Gore will enroll at GSU in January.

9:15am Update: Offensive Lineman Despelado Alexandre Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Alexandre is a 6'5, 265lbs offensive tackle prospect with good size and strength. He held offers from more than a dozen schools including Marshall, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State and held off a late charge from Tulane. Despelado is is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and will enroll at GSU in January.

Quarterback Danterius Ellington

9:50am Update: Quarterback Dan Ellington Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Dan is a 6'2, 192lbs pro style quarterback with a live arm and very good accuracy. As a Sophomore he collected NJCAA All-American honors after completing 230 of his 353 attempts for 3211 yards and 27 touchdowns. Also a threat on the ground, Dan rushed 111 times for 393 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and chose GSU over offers from South Alabama, Miami (OH) and several FCS programs.

10:35am Update: Tight End Herman McCray Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: McCray is a 6'4, 230lbs big time pass catching threat who has soft hands and a very big frame. He is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and chose GSU over offers from Louisville, Virginia Tech, FAU, Iowa State, Marshall and UCF.

11:30am Update: Running Back Dawson Hill Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Dawson is a 5'11, 180lbs home threat from the backfield. He has the ability to cut quickly and explode up the field past defenders or run through them. Hill is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and chose GSU over offers from Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Temple, Wake Forest and several other FBS programs.

12:30pm Update: Safety D'Angelo Knight Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Knight is a 6'2, 215lbs hard hitting safety/outside linebacker prospect who plays with a serious edge. He was also a standout running back in high school. D'Angelo chose GSU over an offer from Sun Belt foe Appalachian State.

12:50pm Update: Defensive Tackle Akeem Smith Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Smith is a 6'0, 292lbs defensive tackle/nose guard prospect with a big time motor and speed at his size. He is a 247Sports Composite three star prospects and chose GSU over offers from Florida Atlantic, Kent State and several FCS programs.

Wide Receiver Cornelius McCoy

2:15pm Update: Wide Receiver Cornelius McCoy Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: McCoy is a 5'11, 170lbs game breaking pass catcher who has serious speed and acceleration. He is a 247Sports Composite three star prospect and chose GSU over more than 20 offers including P5 schools Purdue, Iowa State, Iowa, N.C. State and Rutgers.

2:30pm Update: Offensive Lineman Johnathan Bass Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: Johnathan is a 6'4, 270lbs offensive tackle prospect with good size. He chose GSU over offers from FIU, fellow Sun Belt foe Coastal Carolina and several other FCS programs.

8:30pm Update: Cornerback Qua White Signs

Commit Story

Our Take: White is a 5'9, 179lbs cover corner with very good speed and explosive ability. He is electric with the ball in his hands and an impact player on special teams. Qua chose GSU over offers from from Wisconsin, Appalachian State and had strong interest from Clemson, South Carolina .