How Clay Helton Is Building a Winner at Georgia Southern

JC French, a transfer from Memphis, is Helton’s latest success story under center. French finished third in the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards (2,619) in his first year as the starter. “JC has progressed this year,” says Helton, “and I think is going to be the next really good one here in upcoming years.”

But in order to land French and his predecessor, Tulsa transfer Davis Brin, historically run-heavy Georgia Southern had to show proof of concept that it could be a quarterback-friendly offense.

Enter Kyle Vantrease, a sixth-year senior from Buffalo, who finished fifth nationally in passing yards (4,253) in 2022.

“I credit Kyle, he was kind of the example of what you can be here as quarterback,” Helton told Athlon Sports. “Until you prove it at a school that has not done it before — it was so important in our first year to be able to show ‘Yes, we can be a top-10 passing team at Georgia Southern.’ And Kyle did that for us.”

Helton says Georgia Southern isn’t a “true transfer football team.” The Eagles take a limited number of transfers at positions of need (i.e., quarterback) and prioritized building depth by recruiting the state of Georgia heavily.

The 2025 recruiting class is on track to be Georgia Southern’s best since 2021, but in the transfer portal era of college football, it’s just as important to bring in talent as it is to make sure it’s not headed out the door.

“I’ve always believed in being [more] proactive than reactive,” says Helton. “I think in today’s time, it’s so important to provide consistency to student-athletes, both in relationships and resources. If you want to be able to maintain players and win some of those battles, whether they stay or whether they leave, create a great environment, give them the resources that they need to succeed and have elite relationships with them, both as position coaches, coordinators and head coaches.”

That approach has paid off this cycle for Helton as the Eagles have one of the lowest defection rates in the country. The same cannot be said for their bowl game opponent, Sam Houston. The Bearkats lost their coach when K.C. Keeler stepped down and took the top job at Temple. Accordingly, several players, including first-team Conference USA safety Caleb Weaver, entered the portal.

That complicates matters for Sam Houston interim coach Brad Cornelsen and Helton’s staff as it prepares for an opponent whose roster is in flux. Helton said there’s a “lot of early mornings and late nights” this time of year.

“Not only are you trying to show your product on a national level in a bowl game,” says Helton, “but you're also trying to put a team together for the upcoming year so you can have consistent success.”

Georgia Southern went 6-6 in each of Helton’s first two regular seasons at the helm, culminating with bowl appearances in the Camellia Bowl and Myrtle Beach Bowl.

This season, the Eagles finished second behind eventual conference champion Marshall in the Sun Belt’s East Division. Helton lauded his team’s progression and pointed to its development of high school players, including two all-conference players — defensive back Marc Stampley II and offensive lineman Pichon Wimbley — from Helton’s first recruiting class.

Helton isn’t looking past the Sam Houston matchup later this week, but he is excited for what next fall holds for his program. Georgia Southern’s 2025 campaign kicks off at Fresno State on Aug. 30 before Helton’s highly anticipated return to USC on Sept. 6. Helton was with the Trojans from 2010-21, including seven seasons as head coach. He said the team intends to stay in California that week between the two games.

“USC is one of the most special places in the country,” says Helton. “To be able to share that experience with a group of guys that I love here at Georgia Southern is what I think I'm most excited about.”