Georgia State spring quarterback competition to determine starter

ATLANTA — Four quarterbacks are vying for the starting job at Georgia State this fall.

In the running are juniors Ronnie Bell and Ben McLane, sophomore Clay Chastain and junior college transfer Nick Arbuckle. Last season, Bell completed 188 of 375 passes, throwing 11 interceptions and 15 touchdowns while McLane completed 28 of 51 passes with one interception and two touchdowns.

The Panthers are coming off a disappointing 0-12 campaign in 2013. The 2014 season will mark the Panthers’ second season in the Sun Belt Conference.

“It will be competition all the way through,” head coach Trent Miles said. “I like what I see so far. Nothing is perfect, but we are getting better.”

As part of the team’s spring practices, Georgia State held an open scrimmage at a Cobb County High School this past week. The Panthers will hold open scrimmages at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Lanier High School in Gwinnett County and at 12 p.m. on April 12 at Panthersville Stadium.

“Spring is going very well,” Miles said. “We don’t have a lot of depth at some positions, but we have a lot of young men who are working hard and getting better. They are a closer-knit group that really bonded through the winter workouts.

“We’re bigger, we’re stronger, and we’re faster. We are limited on depth, but the kids are fighting and practicing hard and doing what we ask,” the coach added.

Georgia State kicks off its 2014 season on Aug. 27 against Abilene Christian at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The highlight of the Panthers’ 2014 schedule may be Oct. 25 when the Panthers face off against Georgia Southern, marking the first time the two programs play.