Southern Miss opened Spring Camp today under new head coach Jay Hopson. The Eagles went through a three hour practice under sunny skies and cool temps. BGN was on hand and files this notebook.
- One of the first things that really stood out is that there will be a good bit of difference in the Southern Miss defense under coordinator Tony Pecoraro. Expect a more multiple look with both three and four man fronts. Coach Pec calls his weak side linebacker a Wolf. Right now your Wolf backers are Xavier Thigpen, Darian Yancey and D'Savion Patrick. These guys will drop into coverage and move back and forth between OLB and DE and give multiple looks.
- Former Oak Grove stand-out Isaiah Spencer looks to be making a move at MLB. Eli Parker is your leader on the LB corp right now and he's more than up for the job.
- As of now D'Nerius Antoine remains at safety and I think that he will stay there. Devante Foster, (S), along with Trae Collins and Cornell Armstorng took most of your 1st team snaps at defensive back. Picasso Nelson is your starting Nickle.
- Offensive Line: Today the two-deep looked like this:
LT - Tyler Stutzman, Drake Dorbeck
LG - Brandon Farmer, Jerry Harris
C - Cameron Tom, Brandon Farmer
RG - Devin Farrior, Brian Long
RT - Ty Pollard, Jacob Fleming
- Nick Mullens was putting passes on dimes, Parker Adamson (who Monken planned to move to TE) was running No. 2 with transfer Kwadra Griggs and Gabe Greene next.
- Ito Smith looks like he's going to pick up where he left off last year. If what we saw at practice today continues expect Patrick Brooks to play a big role in the offense. He may be the "shiftiest" back So Miss has had since Damion Fletcher. Overall the running back corp looks deep and talented.
- Big question remains at WR and we won't answer that in just a few practices, but while I was watching DJ Thompson looked like he should have looked - good. Jordan Mitchell is picking up where he left off last year and is continuing to improve. Really liked some things I saw from Reid Rials today, he could be a wild card for the Eagles in the slot. JUCO transfers Isaiah Jones and Shannon Smith look the part, easy to see why they were FBS signees out of high school. Staggers can fly.
- Dan Disch is as intense as ever coaching safeties. Lytrell Pollard has flopped over and is coaching RB's.
- Saw two top prospects at practice today - Morton's Freddie Hartz and Petal's Stephon Huderson.
Feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best to answer.
