ATLANTA -- Georgia State has signed 27 players for Trent Miles' first season as coach of the Panthers.
All but four of the signees announced Wednesday are from Georgia, including 16 from the metro Atlanta area. Miles said the state has "excellent" talent and vowed to keep focusing on homegrown players.
The new coaching staff placed heavy emphasis on the guys in the trenches, signing seven defensive linemen, four offensive linemen and three tight ends.
Miles singled out linebacker Kight Dallas of Stephenson High in Stone Mountain, saying he picked Georgia State after being recruited by South Carolina, Arkansas and another SEC school.
Five of the newcomers enrolled this semester and can take part in spring practice. The Panthers are in the process of moving up to the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.
