A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Friday, June 15, 2012

Fall Preview: Southern Miss

Fall Preview for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles:


QB
#13 Chris Campbell QB 6-4 215 r-Jr. SQ Collierville, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian HS--No stats in 2011.
#08 Ricky Lloyd QB 6-2 198 r-Fr. RS Concord, Calif./Concord HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#06 Arsenio Favor QB 6-3 239 r-So. SQ Montgomery, Ala./Stanhope Elmore HS--7 games played. 12 carries for 41 yards. 1-3 passing for 8 yards.
#14 Cole Weeks QB 6-0 194 r-Fr. SQ Freeport, Fla./Freeport HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Kyle Sloter QB 6-5 200 FR Atlanta, GA Mt Pisgah Christian--Incoming freshman.

The loss of 2011's starting quarterback to graduation give the Golden Eagles a great quarterback battle going into the summer and fall camps. Junior Chris Campbell played well in the spring and is the current starter following spring practice. Redshirt freshman Ricky LLoyd outplayed sophomore Arsenio Favor and is currently sitting second on the depth chart. Favorhas fallen down the depth chart at  quarterback in 2012 after seeing action in 7 games with 12 carries and 3 passes attempted. Redshirt freshman Cole Weeks will get in the battle as well but will probably be fighting for the backup spot behind Campbell. Incoming freshman Kyle Sloter will most likely be redshirted and saved for the future unless he has an outstanding summer.

RB
#07 Desmond Johnson RB 5-11 210 r-Sr. 2L Yazoo City, Miss./Yazoo City HS--7 games played, 3 starts. 75 carries for 424 yards and 2 TD. 9 catches for 83 yards.
#21 Jeremy Hester RB 5-6 176 Jr. 2L Panama City, Fla./Arnold HS--14 games played, 2 starts. 59 carries for 291 yards and 2 TD. 4 catches for 27 yards.  11 kickoffs for 27.6 yard average. 8 tackles.
#29 Kendrick Hardy RB 6-0 222 r-Jr. 2L Monticello, Miss./Lawrence HS--5 games played, 4 starts. 72 carries for 426 yards and 2 TD. 10 catches for 46 yards.
#26 Jamal Woodyard RB 5-8 202 r-So. 1L Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope HS--13 games played, 3 starts. 110 carries for 732 yards and 3 TD. 17 catches for 159 yards and 2 TD.
#20 Reggie Hunt RB 5-8 182 Sr. 2L Robertsdale, Ala./Copiah-Lincoln CC--13 games played. 6 carries for 39 yards. 1 punt return for 24 yards. 3 tackles. 1 blocked kick. 3 tackles.
#36 Bruce Johnson RB 5-9 225 r-Jr. 1L Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity HS--14 games played. 2 carries for 29 yards. 2 catches for 10 yards and 1 TD. 2 tackles.
#31 Darrell Sanders RB 5-8 177 r-So. SQ Midfield, Ala./Midfield HS--No stats in 2011.
#?? Tyree Bracken RB 5-9 180 FR White Castle, LA White Castle--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jalen Richard RB 5-8 192 FR Alexandria, LA Peabody--Incoming freshman.

The Golden Eagles like to get a variety of players involved in the running game and have 4 returning players with 50 or more carries last season. Senior Desmond Johnson  is the current favorite for the starting spot although juniors Jeremy Hester and Kendrick Hardy were very impressive with Hardy gaining 426 yards in 5 games of action and adding two touchdowns. Also in the mix will be sophomore Jamal Woodyard (732 yards). Hunt and Johnson did get some limited action but are more important for special teams purposes for Southern Miss.

TE
#81 Ryan Hanks TE 6-5 250 Sr. 3L Pace, Fla./Pace HS--14 games played, 4 starts. 4 catches for 23 yards and 2 TD.
#80 Collin Jarbo TE 6-3 251 So. 1L Gadsden, Ala./Gaston HS--10 games played. 2 catches for 35 yards and 2 TD.
#46 Austin Shelton TE 6-3 225 r-Fr. RS Orlando, Fla./Winter Park HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#84 Max Mason TE 6-7 207 r-Fr. RS Kennesaw, Ga./North Cobb HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Stanley Tart TE 6-4 230 FR Pensacola, FL Escambia--Incoming freshman.

The Golden Eagles have two solid tight ends on the roster in senior Ryan Hanks and sophomore Collin Jarbo. Hanks played in all 14 games and had four catches and 2 touchdowns on the season. Jarbo equaled Hanks with 2 touchdown catches which were incidentally his only catches of the season. Redshirt freshmen Shelton and Mason may get a few snaps but will be better served as special teams players in 2012.Mason does have great size and may be a red zone target for the Golden Eagles as well.  Incoming freshman Stanley Tart should be redshirted.

WR
#01 Tracey Lampley WR 5-9 168 Sr. 3L Waynesboro, Miss./Wayne County HS--14 games played, 7 starts. 91 carries for 463 yards and 3 TD. 47 catches for 574 yards and 4 TD. 31 punt returns for 11.5 yard average and 1 TD. 19 punt returns for 19.3 yard average. 2 tackles.
#85 Quentin Pierce WR 5-11 193 r-Sr. 3L Mobile, Ala./Davidson HS--14 games played, 6 starts. 1 carry for 23 yards. 3-7 passing for 46 yards and 1 TD. 17 catches for 166 yards and 1 TD.
#87 Francisco Llanos WR 5-8 167 r-Jr. 2L Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain HS--14 games played. 10 catches for 173 yards and 2 TD. 1 kickoff return for 12 yards. 2 tackles.
#18 Dominique Sullivan WR 6-4 207 Jr. 1L Taylorsville, Miss./Taylorsville HS--14 games played, 9 starts. 32 catches for 461 yards and 2 TD.
#09 Chris Briggs WR 6-4 210 So. 1L Franklinton, La./Franklinton HS--10 games played. 11 catches for 153 yards and 1 TD.
#23 Markese Triplett WR 6-4 223 Jr. 1L Louisville, Miss./Louisville HS--14 games played, 1 start. 3 catches for 42 yards.
#25 Justin Sims WR 5-7 165 r-Jr. SQ Decatur, Ga./Redan HS--3 games played. 1 carry for 2 yards. 3 kickoff returns for 18.3 yard average.
#24 Dimitri Smith WR 5-9 155 Jr. TR Long Beach, Miss./Long Beach HS--No stats in 2011.
#16 Michael Means WR 6-0 190 r-Fr. SQ Petal, Miss./Petal HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#86 Zack Gregory WR 5-11 170 r-Fr. SQ Bay Springs, Miss./Sylva Bay Academy--Redshirted in 2011.
#27 Thomas Meier WR 5-10 170 r-Fr TR Cincinnati, Ohio/Texas Tech--Redshirted in 2011.
#82 Keller Davis WR 6-2 189 r-Fr. RS Spanish Fort, Ala./Spanish Fort HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#83 Cooper Harrington WR 6-0 189 r-Fr. RS Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#88 Rashun Prince WR 6-0 178 Sr. SQ Toms River, N.J./Georgia Military--No stats in 2011.
#?? Jarell Aaron WR 6-5 205 FR Poplarville, MS Poplarville--Incoming freshman.
#?? Keithon Redding WR 6-0 190 Decatur, GA Columbia--Incoming freshman.
#?? D.J. Thompson WR 6-4 190 FR Pearl, MS Pearl--Incoming freshman.

Senior Tracey Lampley leads a Southern Miss wide receiver corps that has 6 players returning that caught passes in 2011. Lampley caught 47 passes and also carried the ball 91 times with 7 touchdowns. He is the biggest returning threat for the Golden Eagles offense and should match or better those 2011 numbers. Senior Quentin Pierce (17 catches) and junior Francisco Llanos (10 catches) should be the other top wide receivers and are solid yet unspectacular players. Sullivan, Briggs, Triplett, Sims and the group of 5 redshirt freshmen will all fight for playing time on offense and special teams.

OL
#52 Jason Weaver OT 6-5 305 r-Sr. 2L New Orleans, La./Arizona Western CC--14 games played, 12 starts. 2nd team all Conference USA in 2011.
#70 Vincent Brown OT 6-6 321 Jr. 1L Miami, Fla./ASA Institute--Special teams action.
#68 Joe Duhon OG 6-2 306 r-Sr. 2L Lake Charles, La./Washington-Marion HS--14 games played, 14 starts. 1 carry for 4 yards. 1 catch for 27 yards. 1 tackle.  2nd team all Conference USA.
#51 Darius Barnes OG 6-4 352 r-Sr. 2L Memphis, Tenn./Westwood HS--14 games played, 13 starts. 1 tackle. 24 career starts.
#62 Austin Quattrochi C 6-3 295 r-Sr. 3L Marietta, Ga./George Walton HS-- 14 games played, 14 starts.
#67 Dyron White OT 6-5 335 r-Sr. 1L Slidell, La./Slidell HS--5 games played.
#57 Garrett Clark OT 6-4 279 r-Fr. RS Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#79 Taylor Peterson OG 6-4 297 r-So. 1L Auburn, Ala./Auburn HS--14 games played.
#78 Jonathan Guerry C 6-4 295 r-Jr. 2L Columbus, Miss./New Hope HS--14 games played.
#60 Chaz Cavignac OL 6-2 275 r-Fr. SQ Slidell, La./Northshore HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#61 Bradley Nugent OL 6-0 250 r-Fr. SQ Pell Lake, Wisc./Badger HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#66 Jordan Greene OL 6-3 260 r-Fr. SQ New Orleans, La./Brother Martin HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#71 Randall Agee OL 6-3 265 r-Fr. SQ New Orleans, La./Jesuit HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#76 David Fowler OL 6-3 290 r-So. SQ Daphne, Ala./Daphne HS--Limited action in 2011.
#77 Ed Preston OL 6-4 308 r-Jr. 1L Bacliff, Texas/Dickinson HS--7 games played, 1 start.
#?? Oliver Bates OL 6-5 285 FR Tylertown, MS Tylertown--Incoming freshman.
#?? Cedric Chisolm OL 6-5 275 Louisburg, NC Louisburg C.C.--JUCO Transfer.
#?? Brandon Farmer OL 6-3 290 FR Gulfport, MS Harrison Central--Incoming freshman.
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The Golden Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in Conference USA returning with 4 of their 5 starters having 12+ starts in 2011. Seniors Jason Weaver and Joe Duhon were 2nd team all conference selections and made a combined 26 starts. Barnes and Quattrochi started all but one game combined with Barnes finishing the season with his 24th career start on the offensive line. Junior Vincent Brown is the question mark after only seeing action on the field goal unit in 2011. White, Clark, Peterson, and Guerry as well as the group of redshirt freshmen will battle for backup jobs or even pushing Brown for a starting spot in 2012.

DL
#45 Dasman McCullum DE 6-3 235 r-So. RS Taylorsville, Miss./Taylorsville HS--14 games played. 22 tackles, 3 for loss. 0.5 sack, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 blocked kick.
#95 Khalid Wilson NT 6-1 315 Sr. 1L New Orleans, La./East Central CC--14 games played. 18 tackles, 2 for loss. 0.5 sacks.
#98 Khyri Thornton DT 6-3 299 r-Jr. 2L Panama City, Fla./Bay HS--14 games played, 7 starts. 24 tackles, 9 for loss. 1.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#08 Jamie Collins DE/LB 6-5 239 Sr. 3L McCall Creek, Miss./Franklin County HS--14 games played, 14 starts. 1 defensive touchdown. 98 tackles, 19.5 for loss. 6.5 sacks, 1 interception, 8 pbu, 9 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#99 Octavius Thomas DE 6-3 230 r-Jr. 2L Carrollton, Ga./Mt. Zion HS--10 games played. 5 tackles. 1 interception, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.
#49 Adam Williams NT 6-3 257 Jr. JC Clarksdale, Miss./Coahoma CC--No stats in 2011.
#97 Rakeem Nunez DT 6-3 306 So. 1L Phenix City, Ala./Central HS--6 games played. 2 tackles, 1.5 for loss.
#18 Brandon Francesconi DE/LB 6-3 239 Sr. 1L Burlingame, Calif./College of San Mateo (Calif.)--14 games played. 18 tackles, 1.5 for loss.
#30 Michael Brinson DL 6-4 273 r-Fr. Rs Flowood, Miss./University Christian School--Redshirted in 2011.
#47 Nic Bekkers DL 6-5 234 r-So. SQ Perry, Ga./Westfield HS--No stats in 2011.
#89 Joel Ross DL 6-1 324 r-Sr. 1L Gray, La./Vandebilt Catholic HS--No stats in 2011.
#91 Michael Smith DL 6-5 249 r-Fr. RS Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#92 Casey D’Angelo DL 5-11 264 r-So. SQ Madisonville, La./Mississippi College--No stats in 2011.
#96 Layton Holcomb DL 6-2 217 r-Fr. SQ Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Dalvin Craft DT 6-3 285 FR Atmore, AL Escambia County--Incoming freshman.
#?? Wil Freeman DE 6-6 225 FR Flowood, MS Northwest Rankin--Incoming freshman.
#?? Roderick Henderson DT 6-2 320 FR Montgomery, AL Carver--Incoming freshman.
#?? Adam Williams DE 6-3 255 Clarksdale, MS Coahoma C.C.--JUCO Transfer.
#?? Anthony Wilson DE 6-3 235 Ellisville, MS Jones County J.C.--JUCO Transfer.

The Southern Miss defense is led by senior Jamie Collins who started all 14 games and made 98 tackles with 19.5 for loss in addition to 6.5 sacks and a defensive touchdown. He plays in a hybrid role at a defensive end/linebacker and is good at both spots. McCullum, Thornton, and Wilson fill out the defensive line and combined for 64 tackles but only 2.5 sacks among the trio. Thomas, Williams, Nunez, and Francesconi all will be in the rotation and are led by Francesconi's 18 tackles last fall.

LB
#37 Alan Howze LB 6-2 230 Jr. 2L Ocean Springs, Miss./Ocean Springs HS--14 games played. 22 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.
#21 Dylan Reda LB 6-3 235 Jr. JC Santa Ana, Calif./Santa Ana CC--JUCO transfer.
#53 Ta’Dren Kennedy LB 5-8 216 r-So. SQ Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg HS--No stats in 2011.
#14 Terrick Wright LB 6-2 210 r-Fr. RS Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden City HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#50 Jamil Murray LB 6-1 205 r-Fr. RS Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#24 Chauncey Smith LB 5-11 232 r-Fr. RS LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#32 Cortez Bowen LB 6-2 233 r-So SQ Memphis, Tenn./Trezevant HS--No stats in 2011.
#43 Darrion Goudy LB 5-10 202 r-So. SQ Meridian, Miss./Southeast Lauderdale HS--No stats in 2011.
#48 Trent Johnson LB 6-2 226 r-Fr. RS Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS--Redshirted in 2011. 1 game played. 1 tackle.
#?? Lelland Ducksworth LB 6-1 215 FR Hattiesburg, MS North Forest--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jerry McCorvey LB 6-3 220 FR Vancleave, MS Vancleave--Incoming freshman.
#?? Calvin Perry LB 6-2 220 FR Hoover, AL Bessemer Academy--Incoming freshman.
#?? Dylan Reda LB 6-3 235 Santa Ana, CA Santa Ana C.C.--JUCO Transfer.

The linebacker corps is a problem area with only one linebacker on the roster having any playing experience. Junior Alan Howze made 22 tackles and will be flanked by junior college transfer Dylan Reda who must come in and make an impact immediately. With 4 redshirt freshmen and 3 other players that were buried on the depth chart in 2011, it is a mystery about whether Reda or Howze will be able to hold their starting spots.

DB
#22 Deron Wilson CB 5-10 175 r-Jr. 2L New Orleans, La./O. Perry Walker HS--14 games played, 14 starts. 75 tackles, 1 for loss. 4 interceptions, 13 pbu, 17 pd. 2 defensive touchdowns.
#31 Alexander Walters CB 5-10 166 Jr. 1L Northport, Ala./Tuscaloosa County HS--14 games played. 6 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#05 Jerrion Johnson S/LB 6-1 205 r-Jr. 2L Beaumont, Miss./Perry Central HS--11 games played, 8 starts. 31 tackles, 2 for loss. 4 pbu, 4 pd.
#16 Alex Smith S 5-11 195 r-Jr. 2L McCall Creek, Miss./Franklin County HS--14 games played. 17 tackles. 1 interception, 2 pbu, 3 pd.
#28 Jacorius Cotton S 5-10 197 Jr. 1L LaGrange, Ga./Troup County HS--14 games played, 14 starts. 98 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 2 interceptions, 5 pbu, 7 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#15 Marcal Robinson CB 6-0 174 r-Sr. 3L Prichard, Ala./Vigor HS--13 games played. 7 tackles.
#13 Tray Becton-Martin CB 5-10 172 So. 1L Eads, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian HS--14 kickoff returns for 25.1 yard average.
#35 Justin Penn S/LB 6-1 200 r-So. 1L Bassfield, Miss./Bassfield HS--13 games played. 7 tackles.
#06 Martez Thompson S 6-0 200 Sr. 1L Pascagoula, Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC--14 games played, 1 start. 36 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 4 pbu, 4 pd, 1 fumble recovery.
#12 Emmanuel Johnson S 5-11 185 So. 1L McKenzie, Ala./McKenzie HS--12 games played, 1 start. 1 catch for 28 yards. 1 blocked punt return for touchdown. 2 kickoff returns for 21 yard average. 38 tackles, 3 #01 DaQuinton Dean DB 6-0 200 r-Fr. SQ Laurel, Miss./West Jones HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#07 Laurice Lawrence DB 5-7 180 r-Jr. SQ Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS--No stats in 2011.
#09 Major Williams DB 5-10 175 r-Fr. SQ Moss Point, Miss./Pascagoula HS--Redshirted in 2011.
for loss. 1 sack, 3 pbu, 3 pd, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.
#19 Clifford Johnson DB 5-11 206 r-Sr. SQ Jacksonville, Fla./Pierce CC--No stats in 2011.
#?? Kalan Reed DB 5-11 175 FR Birmingham, AL Briarwood Christian--Incoming freshman.
#20 Ed Wilkins DB 5-10 167 r-Fr. SQ McDonough, Ga./Union Grove HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#29 David Bertucci DB 6-0 189 r-Fr. RS Gulfport, Miss./Gulfport HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? DeBarrius Miller DB 5-11 175 FR Fort Valley, GA Peach County--Incoming freshman.
#?? Antonio Thomas DB 5-10 193 FR Memphis, TN Whitehaven--Incoming freshman.
#?? Marcus Turner DB 6-0 195 FR McCalla, AL McAdory--Incoming freshman.

The Golden Eagles nickel defense sees 2 players, Wilson and Cotton, who started all 14 games in 2011 and combined for 173 tackles and 6 interceptions last fall. Junior Jerrion  Johnson started 8 games and added 31 tackles from his safety-linebacker hybrid spot. Question marks Alexander Walkters and Alex Smith only added a combined 23 tackles but did get one interception for the Southern Miss defense. Robinson, Becton-Martin, Penn, Thompson and Emmanuel Johnson should all work into the rotation and see time with the defense.

K
#25 Corey Acosta PK 5-10 189 r-So. 1L Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS--3 kickoffs with 0 touchbacks. 2-2 field goals with a long of 42 yards.
#33 Jordan Parker PK 6-0 175 r-Fr. HS Corinth, Miss./Corinth HS--Redshirted in 2011.

Sophomore Corey Acosta is the projected starter at kicker after making 2-2 field goals and even kicking off 3 times in 2011. Redshirt freshman Jordan Parker will back him up and strengthen his leg to compete as a sophomore or junior for kicking duties.

P
#39 Peter Boehme P 5-11 216 Sr. 3L Birmingham, Ala./Oak Mountain HS--46 punts with a 43 yard average and 16 inside the opponent 20 yard line and 11 punts over 50 yards. 2-2 passing for 38 yards and 1 TD.
#30 Matthew Moseley P 5-11 157 So. TR Franklin, Tenn./Tennessee State--No stats in 2011.

Senior Peter Boehme was very impressive in 2011 with a 43 yard average on 46 punts with 11 going over 50 yards. Boehme ever contributed with the passing game making 2-2 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown forcing others to respect the possibility of a fake punt.

LS
#63 Lance Schuffert DS 6-2 219 r-Fr. RS Prattville, Ala./Prattville HS--Redshirted in 2011.

Long snapper Lance Schuffert comes into the 2011 season after seeing no action and being redshirted in 2011 as a freshman. All the Golden Eagles coaching staff asks out of Schuffert is to be solid and not make any significant mistakes. If he can do that, then the kickers and punters can handle the rest.

ATH
#?? De'Ante Lawrence ATH 6-2 207 FR Prattville, AL Prattville--Incoming freshman.


The Golden Eagles had a masterful 2011 season that saw them win 12 games and the Conference USA title game in dominating fashion over a top 10 Houston squad. 2012 brings a much less experienced squad that has a very tough out of conference schedule. The Golden Eagles travel to Nebraska and WKU and have home matches versus Louisville and Boise State. That is a very ambitious non conference slate that not many teams would like to experience. The in-conference slate is easier with the only difficult road trip being trips to UCF and SMU. Southern Miss gets East Carolina and Marshall at home and do not have Tulsa or Houston on the schedule. While 12-2 seems unlikely, 8-4 seems like the proper record for a team that just doesn't quite have the playmakers of the 2011 squad.

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