What You Need to Know:

• Georgia State's first week of spring practice is in the books as the Panthers completed practice No 3 Saturday with their first day in pads.

• GSU returns 16 starters from a team that won its final four regular-season games of 2015 and earned its first bowl berth.

• The Panthers welcome back nine starters from a defense that was the most improved in FBS last fall.

ATLANTA -- Georgia State's first week of spring practice is in the books as the Panthers completed practice No 3 Saturday with their first day in pads.

Spring practice continues through the April 16 Blue-White Spring Game.

While much of the attention is focused on the quarterback battle on offense, the Georgia State defense welcomes back nine starters and several key backups from a unit that performed particuarly well in the Panthers' season-ending, four-game winning streak. In fact, Georgia State was the most improved defense in FBS last year, allowing 15 points fewer per game than in 2014. Against the run, the Panthers improved by 122.3 yards per game and 1.92 yards per carry over the previous year.

GSU finished in the top four in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency.

The number one thing this program has now is some confidence," defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said as he begins his fourth spring at GSU. "That comes from winning some games, particularly late in the season and because of the way we won, with the offense playing well and the defnese playing well. Now there's a good returning group on both sides of the ball.

"It's a confident group, it's exciting to be out here with them, and they're up for the challenge of having a great spring practice," Minter added.

Among the returnees are four All-Sun Belt Conference performers from 2015 in linebacker Alonzo McGee, defensive end Shawanye Lawrence, cornerback Chandon Sullivan and safety Bobby Baker.

"For us it's about fine-tuning, making some corrections from last season, and then seeing what we can add to our defense," Minter said. "Right now our goal is to give everyone the opportunity to earn playing time. I do think we have some younger who will provide us with some depth and provide those older guys with some competition for their spots."

Sullivan, the junior who was an honorable mention all-conference safety as well as a CoSIDA Academic All-America off the field, looks to continue to progress with his teammates.

"I'm trying to transition to a leadership role," Sullivan said. "Take the hard work from the offseason and match it with leadership."

The Panthers will return to the practice field Tuesday morning.

REMAINING SPRING PRACTICE DATES (Subject to Change)

Tuesday, March 29, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, March 31, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, April 1, 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 2, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 5, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 7, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, April 8, 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 14, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, April 15, 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 16, Spring Game, 1 p.m.