Why Georgia State Football Will Be Successful

As most are now aware, Georgia State University has launched a football program. Under the direction of prestigious coach Bill Curry (former coach of Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Kentucky) the Panthers inaugural season will start September 2 again Shorter College. Their home games will be played at the Georgia Dome.

Like any fledgling program, I am sure that they will have their hardships over the next couple of years. However, I believe Georgia State is in a prime position to do very well for themselves and become a successful college program, outlined below.

1) Demand

The state of Georgia has solidified itself as one of the best states for competitive high school football. While the Big Three for high school football are without question Florida, Texas, and California; Georgia has cemented themselves as a member of the next tier which includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This is evident in the number of college level talent that the state produces. Last year more than 100 athletes from Georgia signed with D-1 programs. Therefore, there is no shortage of talent right here in GSU's own backyard. However, many of those students go to college rather far away from home because that is where they were offered a scholarship. Which leads me to my next point...

2) Location

Being in such a rich recruiting state, GSU really does have a prime location. Many of these athletes that don't want to go far away from home are now provided with another option. There are so many athletes in the state, but only so many spots on the Georgia Tech and UGA roster, who also recruit very well nationally. With no other major college athletics option in the state, I believe GSU will rake in all of that leftover talent. Also the fact that GSU is in Atlanta is a big draw. The opportunities that being in such an urban city provides is an attractive option for student athletes. It is a better option than statesboro or valdosta, at least.

3) Prestige

Already the GSU Athletics department have done an incredible job adding prestige to a newborn program. They hired an experienced and well thought of coach who has had some success at the major college level. They also secured the Georgia Dome for their use, which some may scoff at and say that there is no way that GSU could ever fill up the dome and therefore it hurts the program more than helps. But i disagree. No, panther supporters will not fill the Dome. But the opportunity to play in such a prestigious venue is attractive to athletes nonetheless. And i do believe that attendance surprise many. The first game especially, i believe, will draw 20,000 plus to the dome, and maybe even upwards of 30,000. There are so many GSU alum still living in the city, and the excitement of starting a new program is sure to draw a crowd. But I also believe that GSU will get a draw from another demographic. There are still 400,000 people that live in the city limits of Atlanta and another 5 million in the metro area. In an area that puts such a premium on competitive football, I think it is likely the city will be interested to see where GSU football goes and will pay the small fees to watch history take place.

Already we are beginning to see the effects of these advantages. Georgia State just signed a class of 28, and also added 4 big time college transfers. Two Georgia Tech offensive lineman, and Auburn Tight End, and an Alabama quarterback have all transferred to play ball this year at GSU. The quarterback transfer is by far the biggest acquisition by coach Curry's staff. He was a top 10 quarterback and a four star recruit according rivals.com. Therefore it is evident that there is a draw to playing for such a great coach, in such a great city, and having the excitement of starting a new program.