Josh Dallas, a junior wide receiver and team captain, has positioned himself as one of the players to watch for Georgia Southern football this season. Known for his steady play and growing leadership, Dallas is stepping into a role that makes him central to the Eagles’ offensive success. He has become a player teammates look to for composure, accountability, and consistency in a program that continues to build its identity in the Sun Belt.
Georgia Southern Athletics hosted a press conference on Monday at the Ted Smith Family Football Center, where Coach Helton and Josh Dallas (along with some other players) answered questions from the media about preparing for the season ahead.
Dallas admits that becoming captain is not an easy responsibility. He views it as a role he does not hold alone, noting that many before him have led by example and set the standard for what it means to guide the program. For him, carrying that tradition means balancing performance on the field with accountability in the locker room. It also means being the voice for younger receivers still finding their place, ensuring that leadership is not about one person but about cultivating a culture.
“Since I came as a freshman, I saw the year before me, and I don’t know if I would believe as a freshman, I could be the standpoint as captain, but it’s a huge honor that I’ll carry most of my life,” Dallas said.
Dallas matters this season because he brings both production and leadership to a team eager to gain traction in the Sun Belt. He finished 2024 with more than 600 receiving yards and six touchdowns, proving himself a reliable target in critical moments. His six-touchdown mark tied him with Amare Jones (2022) as one of the most productive single-season totals in program history. That puts Dallas in select company among Eagle receivers. For Georgia Southern, having that kind of consistency paired with a captain’s voice could be the difference between simply competing and making a serious push in the conference.
Now, the team prepares for its first week on the road in California, facing Fresno State and later on the University of Southern California (USC), which is Coach Helton’s former team.
“It’s going to be huge,” Dallas said. “I think about what a wonderful game this week will be, getting to spend a few days together, and how close it makes everybody feel as a team.”
As the Eagles open their season on the road in California, Dallas’s presence will be impossible to miss. Whether it’s a crucial third down, a captain’s huddle, or the vocal leadership between plays, he’s the player shaping both the moment and the future.
