Georgia Southern head football coach Clay Helton said Tuesday felt like Christmas Day. Actually, Christmas Day in Statesboro saw a high of 66 and a low of 54 and Tuesday's morning temperatures were in the 40s.

Helton was of course speaking about the anticipation of finally hitting the field at Paulson Stadium for the first day of spring football practice.

Tuesday marked the third spring practice for Helton who welcomed in a few new faces to the coaching staff as well as a number of transfer players and some Eagle freshmen who enrolled early.

“A new season brings with it a lot of hope and opportunity,” Helton said. “The first thing you do when starting a new season is acquire elite people. I thought we did a good job of that in January as far as players and coaches. You then institute a great culture, and we did that with coach James Heiss in strength and conditioning over an eight-week cycle. Now it is the spring where we institute our system and improve techniques and fundamentals.”

Among the positions Helton will be taking a hard look at is quarterback as the Eagles lose starter Davis Brin. The quarterback room is highlighted by Indiana transfer Dexter Williams as well as returner J.C. French, freshman Tyler Budge as well as sophomore David Dallas who is healthy for the first time since arriving at Georgia Southern three years ago.

“I am so glad we have 40 practices between now and the first game,” Helton said. “You have a new man in Dexter who comes from a new school, you have David Dallas who is playing football for the first time in two years. J.C. is coming off an injury, Tyler Budge was supposed to be at his high school prom right now but is here. You have Colton Fitzpatrick who is competing as well as Coby Walton in his second year. You have guys with some inexperience who have to grow. It is early but I like what I saw as far as decision making but it is way to soon to make any predictions.”

There are a few new coaches this spring including offensive line coach Zach Lankford, but one of the biggest changes is Ryan Aplin moving from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Taking over for Bryan Ellis who took an assistant coaching position at Alabama, Aplin a former quarterback himself is excited about his promotion.

“The east thing about this transition is the kids have been ultra receptive as well as the staff,” Aplin said. “It is much different as you can’t just hone in on your position it is more about the big picture and about the collective group. You have to make sure everyone is set and if not, why? You have to figure out how to fix it. You see it from a different perspective, and I joke that it is the closest thing I will ever get to playing quarterback again.”

Aplin agreed that the current quarterback room has a lot more players with dual threats of running and passing but doesn’t see too many changes on offense from what they have done in the past.

“You could see a little more running from the quarterbacks, but it is more what these guys are comfortable with,” Aplin said. “The biggest thing I have learned from people like coach Helton is that we have to work to their strengths.”

Aplin also said he plans to coach from the sidelines, which is what his predecessor Bryan Ellis did as well.

“I don’t love the press box,” Aplin said. “It contains me a little bit and I want to be out there in the mix.”

The Eagles continue spring drills  and will hold their spring game April 20 at 12 noon.