Southern Miss Golden Eagles 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Stability has returned to Southern Miss after the disastrous end to the Larry Fedora era left the cupboard empty, and he fled for the hills to North Carolina. Jay Hopson has returned the program to respectability, but he still has a great deal of work to do. The Eagles should be the kind of program that dominates in the CUSA West, and they are not at that point yet. Can Hopson get them there by 2019?
Breakdown Offense: The QB job is up in the air as we head into fall camp. JC transfer Jack Abraham looks like he could take the job, but Hopson has not granted him the position just yet, as Keon Howard, who played in 9 games last season, is still in the mix and is showing signs of improvement. Kwadra Griggs started 6 games last season, and passed for 18 TDs to just 2 INTs, but missed spring ball with an injury. If healthy, he is still very much in the mix.
The loss of Ito Smith at RB will hurt, and the unit remaining is not deep. RS freshman Steven Anderson emerged in spring ball, while RS senior George Payne returns as well. Tez Parks carried the ball 53 times as the backup last season, and is in the mix as well. This could be a committee group until someone emerges in fall camp or later.
All 4 starting receivers must be replaced in camp, and this is another clear indicator that it could be another year until the Eagles emerge from the CUSA West pack. Quaz Watkins, Jaylond Adams, Tim Jones, and Travon Terry all came out of spring ball as the leaders to start. This entire group combined for just 37 receptions last fall, so depth is out of the question here.
The line returns 3 starters in Drake Dorbeck (LT), Arvin Fletcher (LG), and Ty Pollard (RG). The Eagles may be starting a true freshman at C this fall in Trace Clopton, while Woodylson Alcius, a sophomore, is projected at RT. Both of those spots could be problems if the youngsters don't gel quickly in camp. Dorbeck, the leader of the group, was banged up a good deal of spring ball, but should be ready to go in the fall, and could slide over to start at RT. Wyatt Richtofen could still be in the mix for the C job, while Bryce Foxworth could emerge at LT if Dorbeck moves to the right side.
Breakdown Defense: LaDarius Harris is the only returning starter on the defensive line, and will be filling his old DT spot. He totaled 5.5 TFLs last season in the middle. Jacques Turner looks like the new starter at DE, while Dalmond Landry gets the edge at NT. Turner totaled 7.5 TFLs last fall, while Landry added 3 TFLs as a junior. DeMarrio SMith could add some depth at DT. Paxton Schrimsher has the edge to start at the WOLF position, and led the team with 11 TFLs last fall, and added 5.5 sacks. Darian Yancey adds depth there.
The Golden Eagles appear set at LB, ad both Racheem Boothe and Jeremy Sangster return as starters. Boothe totaled 79 tackles as a freshman last fall, and added 3.5 sacks and 9 TFLs. Sangster totaled 56 tackles, and added 7 TFLs and 2 sacks.
The entire secondary must be replaced in fall camp. Picasso Nelson is the most experienced player back, but he missed all of last season, and was not overly productive in 2016. He starts at one Safety spot, and is joined by Xavier Marion. JC transfer Ty Williams joins Rachuan Mitchell to start at CB. Mitchell has all of 3 starts to his name. Tyler Barnes fills the FS spot. There is no experienced depth available.
Breakdown Special Teams: Parker Shaunfield is 29/34 on FG attempts over the last two seasons, and returns for his final season at Southern Miss. He may be depended upon quite a bit with an offense trying to gel all of its parts together.
Zac Everett is back at Punter, and was solid with a 40.58 yards per punt average last fall as a freshman.
T'Rod Daniels and Quez Watkins return at KR, but neither displayed home run ability in the return game last season. Watkins could also win the PR job in camp.
Final Analysis: There is talent at QB, but no clear answer as to who will pull the trigger under center when the Eagles open the season against Jackson State on 9/1. With so many holes across the roster and depth charts, I would find it hard to believe that Southern Miss will find themselves chasing the CUSA West title this season, but that could change in 2019, when so much of this young talent emerges. There is an opportunity with the schedule to win 6 games and slide into a lower tier bowl game, but thatcould be the ceiling, and there is little room for error.
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