5 Freshmen Who Could Make Impacts

By: Mac Brown, @SSN_GSU

As promised, the sixth stop of our countdown has arrived. Just like last week, this list isn’t in ascending or descending order, but rather a comprehensive list. This time around, the countdown will go over five incoming, “true” freshmen who could make immediate impacts. The Panthers will have 34 players from the high school ranks joining the team this fall and there’s bound to be a handful, if not more, that start to make a name for themselves right away. These five players could be that handful. Their impacts may not be seen at the greatest capacity this season, but if Coach McGee is able to keep them on campus, the five guys below will make massive impacts during their time on Hank Aaron Drive. It may not even matter how the season plays out either, these guys can play, and they’ll show that from the jump. Let’s begin…

1.  Derrick Avery Jr. - WR

Avery Jr. is coming off one of the most prolific seasons, and careers, at the receiver position in Georgia high school football history. In 2024, Avery Jr. caught 78 passes for 1,259 yards and 18 total touchdowns. He finished his high school career with over 3,000 yards and is one of 29 players in state history to reach that mark. These numbers are elite no matter how you look at them. He did long jump for his high school’s track team for the first time this year. He finished the season as the state champion runner-up. He’s just a freak all around. Avery Jr. has shown he’s got all the tools an elite receiver has and it’s just a matter of time before he explodes for the Panthers.

According to 247Sports, Avery Jr. is the highest rated recruit in school history and the first four-star signing out of high school for the program. If Georgia State wants to continue signing players of his degree coming out of high school, it’s crucial for Avery Jr. to have a great career as a Panther. It doesn’t necessarily have to happen this year, but Avery Jr. will be a pioneer of sorts, and his play will hold more weight than most others.

Avery Jr. will have a handful of upperclassmen on the depth chart likely above him come Week 1. However, the undeniable talent he possesses will get him on the field at some point this year. He’s probably not going to be one of the team’s leading receivers come season end, although he certainly can be. But he is bound to make several impactful plays throughout the season. When he’s called on, there should be a high level of confidence he can make a play. Avery Jr. truly has the potential to be one of the best players in program history with the level of talent he has. If he is to do just that, he’ll need to have a solid start to his career. Plenty of reasons why 2025 will be exactly that for Avery Jr.  

2.  TJ Peyton - RB

Peyton was a star for Lanier High School in Buford, GA rushing for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns his senior season. He was a return specialist as well and averaged 215 all purpose yards per game. Peyton was a 3 star recruit this last cycle and held offers from several premier Group of Five programs. Including Memphis, who he originally committed to but flipped to GSU. GSU’s home opener is against the Tigers of Memphis on September 6^th. Peyton has been mentioned by Head Coach Dell McGee a few times this offseason and is slowly working his way up the depth chart.

Peyton will find himself in a similar position to Avery Jr. Both guys have a ton of talent, but so do the upperclassmen that are currently above them on the pecking order. Even with working his way up the depth chart, he still has a solid four guys ahead of him all vying for carries. Peyton’s talent will still allow him to see the field though, especially in late game situations where the score may be out of hand. One of the four guys ahead of him could slip up in production, or have an unfortunate injury, and Peyton’s workload will only increase. Due to the nature of the position and the likely approach of the offense, Peyton will get his carries. And with the talent he’s got, don’t be shocked if he houses a few of them.

Peyton could very well be the lead back going into 2026 but for that to happen he’ll need a solid 2025. Hopes should be high that Peyton will be able to accomplish just that.

3.  Kelan Butler - OLB

Butler just might be the best player on the roster one day. Butler had a stellar career at Jefferson High School in northeast Georgia recording five sacks and ten TFLs in his senior year. Butler ran track for Jefferson as well and is a prototypical speedy edge rusher. His size of 6’3 and 235 pounds combined with his quickness are things you just can’t teach. He’s going to be a monster for the Panthers, and he may not wait until 2026 and beyond. Butler’s impact will likely be immeasurable come the end of his career at GSU.

Butler held offers from Power 5 schools like Michigan, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, and Arkansas just to name a few. He really could have gone anywhere in the country and chose to come play for Coach Jeremy Hawkins and the Panthers. This strengthens the idea that Butler will see a considerable amount of playing time his freshman season. The two guys ahead of him on the depth chart for now, Zavier Carter and Marlin Dean, are also first year Panthers and will need to be tagged in and out periodically regardless. If Butler is able to come in on passing downs, and perhaps once the offensive line has been worn down a little by either Carter or Dean, he should feast. His talent may truly outgrow the up-and-coming program that is GSU. But for now, he’s a Panther, and he’s going to be a dominant one.

Butler turned down multiple SEC schools because he loves the coaching staff at GSU and wants to be closer to his family. He’s got everything you would want in an elite football player, on and off the field. Guys like him don’t, and won’t, come around often. There are simply too many things pointing to Butler being an all-timer when it’s all said and done. And 2025 will be only the beginning.

4.  Zion Lawson - OLB

Lawson is another stud edge rusher from the Peach State that didn’t just have other offers from SEC schools, he was originally committed to one. Lawson committed to Vanderbilt back in June of last year but flipped to the Panthers by Coach Hawkins four months later. He played for Maynard Jackson High here in Atlanta and was truly a do-it-all player for Jaguars. Lawson saw snaps everywhere on the front seven and even saw snaps at running back and tight end. When it comes to the sport of football, there’s not much he can’t do. He'll be specializing in rushing the quarterback at Georgia State though and should be able to do so at a high level.

Just like Butler, Lawson has great size and speed and should see the field plenty in 2025. Just like Butler too, he’s built a strong relationship with the coaching staff at GSU and wants to stay close to home. (Albeit he’s a little closer to home than Butler with Maynard Jackson only being five minutes away from GSU’s campus.) It’s important to note this because everyone knows how talented the Atlanta metro area is. This GSU coaching staff is building relationships, and roots, with the high schools and families of the surrounding area. Having guys like Lawson and Butler, who really could have gone almost anywhere, pick GSU is a sign of not only progression but arrival as well. Lawson will look to be another hometown kid who stayed put and became a star.

As mentioned before, Lawson is a part of one of the thinner groups on the roster, but strangely one of the deeper ones too. There’s only four listed outside linebackers on the roster, and all four of them are some of the more talented players on the team. Lawson won’t have to “fight” for snaps, but that won’t falter his hunger. He’ll be inspired by those around him and will surely be in a competition or two with one of his fellow pass rushers. Lawson’s impact will be felt by his teammates, coaches, fans, and opposing quarterbacks alike.

5.  Joseph Holt - S

Holt is 3-star safety coming out of Parker High School in Birmingham, AL. He held offers from schools such as UCF, Tulane, and Arkansas but decided to commit to the Panthers last June. He was a tackling machine for Parker and will look to bring that prowess to Center Parc Stadium this fall. Holt has the ability to be a solid starter for GSU one day, and perhaps even more.

Jordan Huff and D’Icey Hopkins are likely to be the two starters at the safety position for the Panthers come Week 1 with sophomore Deuce Walker seeing plenty of action too. But freshmen Holt and Ty Snead should still see some snaps as well. Holt is making the list because he played a decent bit in the Spring Game last April and even almost made a ridiculous interception in the back of the endzone off a tipped pass. Holt will likely be on the field in prevent situations and could even work his way up the depth chart before season end. He’s shown he can play and seeing the field more will only continue to prove that.

Holt’s impact may be felt more down the road but that doesn't mean he isn’t bound to make one in 2025. He’ll look to maximize the time he does see on the field and there’s no reason to believe he won’t do exactly that. Whether it be through his tackling ability or forcing a difficult turnover, he’ll get it done.

Holt, and his fellow freshmen, are a part of a “New Atlanta” and they know it. Them backing it up and establishing a new culture and standard for the program lies on the shoulders of guys like Holt and every other guy mentioned on this list. Panther fans should have all of the faith in the world they can get it done too.