Southern Miss postponed the second practice of Spring Camp 2016 from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning and it couldn't have been a better decision.
The Eagles took the field in helmets and shorts under picture perfect conditions in Hattiesburg, a high blue sky, plenty of sun and cool temps.
Southern Miss continued to install both offense and defense while working younger and newer players in at the respectived positions.
Here's a few things that stood out to me:
- The OL is very fluid right now, they are fitting and trying guys at different positions.
Tyler Stutzman took a number of snaps at C today.
Jacob Fleming took snaps at both guard and tackle.
Hayden McMahan took snaps at center and tackle as well. It appears that reports of
Brian Long leaving the team are true, he was not at practice and is not on the new roster provided by the SID's office today.
Drake Dorbeck appears to be developing nicely. Dakota Siniard was in a non-contact jersey today.
- Spend some time watching the running backs.
George Payne who spent last year on the bench with injury is back and looked really good today moving in space. Still so impressed with
Patrick Brooks so far, and Ito Smith is well
Ito Smith.
- On the WR's it looks like
Isaiah Jones is getting up to speed nicely, he'll wear 88 and we can all hope he picks up where the previous #88 left off. Going to be a nice battle at the z-slot with
Reid Rials,
T-Man Holmes and
Shawn Brinkley. I look for Rials to come out on top in that one.
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Kwadra Griggs had a really nice day throwing the ball.
- Southern Miss has some nice depth at TE right now and I think that will allow the position to be a bigger part of the offense moving forward.
Julian Allen is finally healthy and looks good early.
Ricky Parks looks phenomenal he looks about 255-pounds and is ripped. Big
Rusty Clark who is a Houston transfer is getting in the mix and he's got a lot of tools to work with at 6-foot-7, 236-pounds. Taylor Marini is still in non-contact green but he's a proven commodity.
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Dan Disch seems to have really lit a spark under the secondary. Or that could just be some strong leadership from guys like
D'Nerius Antoine, Devonta Foster, Cornell Armstrong and
Picasso Nelson. But, at any rate they seem to have ratcheted their intensity up a notch and they've not even put on shoulder pads yet. This group is deep, talented and Disch is already cleaning up some technique issues with the cornerbacks.
- Its probably going to take a while for everything to shake out at linebacker. The only thing for sure is
Eli Parker is holding down one starting spot. The rest is kind of up for grabs. I won't be shocked if they add a JUCO linebacker late if they can get one.
Recruiting:
Southern Miss took advantage of Good Friday and no school to have some prospects on campus.
- The biggest name would be former Wisconsin QB
D.J. Gillins. Gillins who recently transferred to PRCC was on campus with Wildcat WR coach and former Eagle Kelvin Bolden.
- Hewitt-Trussville defensive back
David Acfalle was also on campus for an unofficial visit.
Will have more info on recruits as it becomes available.
