The George-Anne will be previewing each position groups leading up to the start of Georgia Southern football season, Aug. 31. The second in the series of reviews is the position of the safety.

Departed: Sean Freeman, Joshua Moon, Javon Reid, Martial Washington.

Returning starter: Kenderick Duncan Jr., redshirt-sophomore.

Other returning players: Darrell Baker Jr., redshirt-junior; Tra Cofield, redshirt-junior; Austin Parker, redshirt-junior; Amari Thompson, redshirt-junior.

New players: Reid Dedman, freshman; Tremain Osborne, freshman; Treun Pace, freshman; Donald Rutledge Jr., graduate transfer; Java’n Singletary, freshman; Anthony Wilson, freshman.

Outlook: A lot of talent left the safety position for the Eagles last season, but there’s still plenty of capable players on the roster for this 2019 season. 

Returner-wise, redshirt-sophomore Duncan shows a lot of potential as he played in all 13 games last season, starting four. He notched 39 tackles and two interceptions on the season. Duncan also had two pass breakups and a forced fumble as well as a fumble recovery. 

Looking at new players, Rutledge is one to keep an eye on. The graduate student is a transfer from Savannah State University where he was the starting safety for the Tigers in the 2018 season. He totaled 53 tackles on the season as well as logging two interceptions and seven pass breakups. 

Pace is another new player to the Eagle roster that shows potential as the incoming freshman had 54 total tackles his senior year of play in high school, earning him a first-team all-area pick. He was an early enrollee at GS, allowing him to go through spring practice with the Eagles.

Projected two deep: 

Kenderick Duncan Jr. (6-foot-3, 225 pounds)

Donald Rutledge Jr. (6-foot-1, 210 pounds)

Kaitlin Sells, The George-Anne Managing Sports Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu