Courtesy of Savannah State Athletics:
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah State University head football coach Shawn Quinn wanted more speed for his triple option offense.
After four practices, he likes what he sees.
Newcomers Einaj Carter, Major Bellamy, Quentavious Wilson and Jordan Grant have shown the ability to make things happen quickly.
“One thing I thought we needed were guys who, once they hit the hole, could take it to the house,” Quinn said. “I’m excited because we have a bunch of skill guys who can run.”
Carter, a 5-8, 163-pound freshman, set a New Smyrna Beach High School record with 24 touchdowns last season, breaking the previous mark of 22 by Wes Chandler, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career at the University of Florida and played 11 years in the NFL.
Carter runs a 4.49 40-yard dash according to Internet recruiting site Hudl.
Bellamy, who ran a 4.4 40 (according to 24-7), was highly recruited out of Central Gwinnett in 2015. Bellamy (5-9, 160) had offers from Georgia State, Marshall, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Samford and Youngstown State but chose to go the junior college route and attended Georgia Military College.
He caught 87 passes for 1,092 yards and 7 TDs at GMC before going to Tennessee State for a year last season.
Wilson (5-10, 180) runs a 4.47 40 according to Recruit Georgia. Wilson broke all of Mary Persons High School rushing records with 1,535 yards and 25 touchdowns last season while earning Class 4A all-state honors from the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.
In practice Monday, he scooted about 45 yards for a score, leaving would-be tacklers in his wake.
Grant (5-9, 185) was a versatile back at Savannah Christian — rushing for 810 yards and 11 TDs and catching 23 passes for 284 yards and a score.
Grant, who runs a 4.59 40 according to Hudl, also claimed Class A all-state honors from the GACA.
“Slotbacks are your home-run guys,” Quinn said. “They run the ball and catch it. They wear two capes.
“We’ve definitely added speed and that’s what we have to continue to do in recruiting. Speed was always something we had at Georgia Southern. We didn’t have the biggest guys, but we had guys who could run.”
The Tigers finished their fourth day of preseason workouts on Monday morning wearing shorts, shoulder pads and helmets. Quinn said the team will be in full pads for the first time on Tuesday.
SSU will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before receiving their first day off on Friday, Aug. 16.
The Tigers will conduct their first scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 9:15 a.m. at Theodore A. Wright Stadium.
“I want to see how we handle situational football, how we handle live, full-speed work,” said Quinn about the scrimmage. “We still have a long way to go and every day we have to get better. Like they say, “Inch by inch is a cinch, but yard by yard is very hard.” “
SSU will open the 2019 football season Sept. 7 against Florida Tech.
