# CHALLENGE: Can Clay Helton and Max Johnson TRANSFORM Georgia Southern’s 2026 Hopes

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-sun-belt-daily-podcast-on-sun-belt-conference-football-basketball-5718306/challenge-can-clay-helton-and-max-johnson-transform-georgia-southern-s-2026-hopes
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-sun-belt-daily-podcast-on-sun-belt-conference-football-basketball-5718306/challenge-can-clay-helton-and-max-johnson-transform-georgia-southern-s-2026-hopes.md
Podcast: [Locked On Sun Belt - Daily Podcast On Sun Belt Conference Football & Basketball](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-sun-belt-daily-podcast-on-sun-belt-conference-football-basketball-5718306)
Published: 2026-07-17T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-sun-belt/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/b6d85e/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/e637a3a0-f899-4343-bed8-759308271631/episodes/ecfb84f0-824e-4bc1-8780-562604bba5a4/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=e637a3a0-f899-4343-bed8-759308271631&awEpisodeId=ecfb84f0-824e-4bc1-8780-562604bba5a4&feed=Mhog7UlI
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-sun-belt-daily-podcast-on-sun-belt-conference-football-basketball-5718306/episodes/challenge-can-clay-helton-and-max-johnson-transform-georgia-southern-s-2026-hopes
Duration seconds: 1956

## Resource

Georgia Southern Eagles set their sights on a Sun Belt championship as Clay Helton and veteran QB Max Johnson aim to lead the charge. Can a retooled defense finally provide the key stops that have eluded this high-powered offense? Wide receiver Josh Dallas and cornerback Chance Gamble bring leadership and experience, both on the field and in the classroom, as the Eagles target consistency in a daunting early schedule featuring Clemson, Jacksonville State, and Houston. Coach Helton reveals how the new defensive scheme under Mike Mutz focuses on creating negative plays, while Dallas and Gamble discuss the importance of player-led culture, retaining leaders, and prepping the next generation of Eagles stars. With a blend of veteran transfers and homegrown talent, Georgia Southern is hungry to reclaim its spot atop the Sun Belt. Will toughness, discipline, and unity drive the Eagles back to glory in 2026?

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