5 burning questions for Southern Miss post-spring – Hattiesburg American

Jason Munz , Southern Miss Sports Writer 8:58 a.m. CT April 25, 2017

Southern Miss football coach Jay Hopson spoke to reporters after Saturday's spring game. Jason Munz/Hattiesburg American

Southern Miss football coach Jay Hopson looks on during Saturday's Black and Gold spring game.(Photo: Adriana Garcia/Hattiesburg American)Buy Photo

Southern Miss closed the book on spring camp last week, the second under coach Jay Hopson.

Before it got going in March, Hopson was anticipating a fun and competitive 15 practices. Now that its over, here are the five biggest questions the Golden Eagles are facing between now and early August, when the team is allowed to get back on the practice field.

We still dont know. And very likely wont until at least a couple of weeks before the season opener (Sept. 2 versus Kentucky).

Overall, though, the general consensus is Kwadra Griggs had the better spring of the two quarterbacks. But only by a very slim margin. And a lot can happen in two months time. It wouldnt be shocking if Keon Howard shows up in August having made big strides and surpasses Griggs.

QBs still neck-and-neck as USM wraps up spring camp

Southern Miss has a lot of playmakers at the skill positions offensively. In the spring, Jordan Mitchell, Trevor Terry and Quez Watkins joined the likes of Allenzae Staggers, Korey Robertson, Chase Whitehead, Julian Allen and JayShawn Washington as talented pass catchers capable of making big plays for the Golden Eagle offense.

We all know Ito Smith will get the ball a ton this fall. But what about Tez Parks? Or George Payne? Both running backs either performed well enough this spring or have enough of a solid track record to warrant increased roles.

Excellent question, glad you asked.

The answer: I dont know.

Hopson praised the work of veteran Devin Farrior, while also talking up youngsters Drake Dorbeck and Arvin Fletcher. Jerry Harris and Hayden McMahan spent the spring working at left tackle, while Ty Pollard sat camp out while recovering from an injury. And it appears Tyler Stutzman is the frontrunner to land the starting center job, although Wyatt Richthofen isnt far behind.

But Cru Birdyshaw, Justus Satterfield and Woodlyson Alcius showed flashes. Not to mention the additions that will be made to that position group post-spring, in the form of junior college transfer Jimmie Terry and the much-ballyhooed incoming freshman Paul Gainer.

So, a lot to sort out by September.

Things were looking good halfway through spring camp for Southern Miss defensive line.

Most of the teams biggest contributors from a year ago were set to return and the coaching staff added Delmond Landry as well as a couple of others who did not play last season (Allen Fails, Jacques Turner, etc.).

One of the key players along the line last season was Xavier Thigpen. But the senior pass rushing specialist was absent from the last several practice sessions and did not play in the annual Black and Gold spring game.

Hopson said Thigpen is still a part of the team but did not go into any further detail. So it remains to be seen whether hell rejoin the team for fall camp.

He could be. At least part of the solution, anyway.

Southern Miss has a giant need for quality linebackers. Sherrod Ruff missed spring due to injury, which has been a recurring problem for him throughout his Golden Eagle career. And that makes it all the more imperative for the team to come up with more options for that position.

Sangster led the way in spring there and he put an exclamation point on it with a 40-plus yard interception return for a touchdown that won the spring game for his team.

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5 burning questions for Southern Miss post-spring - Hattiesburg American