With USM’s appearance at Sun Belt media days in New Orleans on July 16 around the corner, the Golden Eagles were projected by the league’s 14 head coaches to finish fifth in the conference’s West Division.
Even though they’re not predicted to finish last, Southern Miss had no players selected to the preseason first- or second-team All-Sun Belt. In addition, the Golden Eagles are bringing in 75 newcomers and returning only four starters – one on offense and three on special teams – from last year’s team.
There are many unknowns for this USM squad due to former head coach Charles Huff’s sudden departure to Memphis last year. But there is notable continuity within the program, as the Golden Eagles elevated Blake Anderson from offensive coordinator to head coach to lead the charge going forward.
Anderson was given the task of rebuilding a relatively depleted roster, one that lost star quarterback Braylon Braxton and standout defensive back Josh Moten to the pros, along with a litany of other players to the transfer portal. The first-year Golden Eagle frontman worked the portal himself, however, landing the likes of edge rusher Will Smith from North Texas, quarterback Ethan Hampton from Illinois, and defensive tackle Jeffery Rush from Ole Miss.
The team under the old offensive coordinator, Anderson, will kick off its season against Alcorn State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 4:00 p.m. A month later, the first conference game of the year for Anderson’s squad will be against Troy – who Sun Belt coaches have projected to win the West.
