Georgia State University Athletics

REMINDER: Coach Elliott will recap Signing Day with Voice of the Panthers Dave Cohen on radio on the Georgia State Athletics Today Signing Day Special, Wednesday evening from 8-9 p.m. on 1340 The Fan 3 and GSU mobile apps.

ATLANTA -- Bringing in Georgia State's most highly-rated recruiting class yet, new head football coach Shawn Elliott announced the addition of 20 student-athletes on Wednesday's National Signing Day.

The Panthers filled their biggest needs with the addition of six offensive linemen and three safeties while helping nearly every position. The class also includes two defensive linemen, two inside linebackers, two outside linebackers, two receivers, one quarterback, one cornerback and one tight end.

"This class is very solid with good, quality players. We've added size, strength, athleticism and the ability to help in the near future," Elliott said. "It's a balanced class that will help us both offensively and defensively. We went out and targeted players who can help us build this program into something special, and our coaches did a great job in a very short period of time. It's been a good day."

Elliott mentioned the significance of hosting prospects at Georgia State Stadium, the former Turner Field that will become the home of Georgia State football.

"I saw lot of big eyes when they walked in that facility for the first time," he said. "A lot of guys were coming to Georgia State for the first time, and it really opened their eyes to what our future holds. It was just amazing to look out on that field and see our logo."

Nine signees earned a three-star rating from at least one of the recognized recruiting services: safety Chris Bacon, offensive linemen Pat Bartlett, Jaylon Jones and Connor Robbins, linebackers Victor Heyward and Trajan Stephens-McQueen, defensive backs Jaylon Jones and Kerryon Richardson and quarterback Jack Walker.

More on the Georgia State's 2017 signing class:

Eleven signees are from Georgia, along with four from South Carolina, and one each from Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Of the 11 Georgia signees, five are from the football hotbed of Gwinnett County in suburban Atlanta.

"The first thing we did was target players from right here in this area," Elliott said. "We added some guys from out of state as well, but all in all, this state has been very good to us and that's really important."

The Panthers added four offensive linemen who stand 6-6 or taller, including 6-9 Connor Robbins, who will become the tallest player in Georgia State history.

One signee, offensive lineman Chris Sibilia from North Gwinnett High School, enrolled this semester and will participate in spring practice.

The class includes three junior college signees in linebacker Jalen Wade and safety Deandre Applin from Georgia Military College and offensive lineman Kevin Kwapis from Iowa Western C.C.

Of quarterback Jack Walker from Madison (Miss.) Central High School, Elliott said, "You see quarterback all over him. He has everything you want in terms of leadership, intelligence, vision, arm strength and size."

2017 GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL SIGNEES: