Savannah, Ga. -- Savannah State University will have a new look this football season.

Head coach Aaron Kelton says the team will be bolstered by some transfers. SSU also boasts a new artificial surface at T.A. Wright Stadium.

Even a familiar face – junior quarterback Jadon Adams – looks a little different after parting with his signature dreadlocks.

"They're gone. I cut them off. I'm going with the grown man look," Adams said, smiling.

The Tigers went through a spirited workout Wednesday morning and are less than three weeks away from kicking off the season in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 7 against Southern University, a school that plays in the Football Championship Subdivision's Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"We feel good about the season," Adams said. "We've put in a lot of work during the summer and we're ready to get after it."

There's optimism in the air here, despite the 2-8 record in 2023. Four games were lost by a touchdown or less so a play here and there could have turned that frown upside down.

"Our focus has been on the details and the little things," Kelton said. "I think the players are staying focused longer. And we want to support each other. When we face adversity, we want to make sure we're lifting each other up and giving each other confidence."

It helps to have a two-year starting quarterback returning. Adams was a second-team preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection after throwing for 1,526 yards and 9 touchdowns while also producing a team-leading 415 rushing yards and another five scores.

"I would definitely say slowing down the game is a real thing," Adams said. "Having experience as a starter, I can see things before they happen. I have more calmness."

Kelton pointed out others who are having strong preseason camps.

Shamarcus Poole and Joseph Hampton are back to spearhead the rushing attack. Poole is also a second-team All-SIAC selection and Hampton earned similar honors as a kick returner.

The wide receivers have a lot of experience with Brent Carr, Da'Shun Mitchell (second-team all-SIAC) and Randy Scott all taking advantage of extra seasons because of the lost COVID year.

Tracy Todd, from Oklahoma Panhandle State, leads a group of transfers that should bolster the offensive line.

The Tiger defense also got a key reinforcement through the portal when lineman Wesley Bentley transferred in from Mars Hill.

"They make us bigger and better," Kelton said. "I think we've been able to hit on our transfers the way we thought and that's going to help our team and our (returnees) are a year older."

SSU ranked fifth in scoring defense among the 13 SIAC teams and will return conference first-team defensive back Deandre Creary and second-teamers Nathaniel "Bubba" Chisholm on the line and Ahlik Booker in the secondary.

Allie Brown was named to the All-SIAC preseason second-team.

"We're in pretty good shape to have a good season and make a run," Kelton said. "We have more depth than we ever had."

The first litmus test comes against Southern University. Kelton says the group heading to Baton Rouge will be competitive.

"We're not taking any sandwich eaters," he said.