‘Frog’ is one of several new faces making big plays during Southern Miss fall camp
Southern Miss is nearing the end of fall camp and are just a few Saturdays away from kicking off season two under Will Hall.
As playbook install begins to wrap up, Hall has a clearer picture of who will be taking the field first against the Liberty Flames with a roster loaded with new faces.
Those new faces have changed the dynamic of practice from what it was just a year ago. The offense and defense have exchanged blows throughout Tuesday’s scrimmage and neither has consistently dominated camp.
“I think overall, the defense probably had the better part of the day, which is good to see,” Hall said after Tuesday’s practice. “The last two days, I think the offense has really had the better part of the day. As the head coach, you want to see give-and-take.”
Solidified spots at USM running back
Hall and staff are keen on managing reps for established starters. Center Briason Mays is one offensive lineman who has locked in his starting role and behind him, Frank Gore Jr. has also cemented his spot.
Southern Miss’ leading rusher in both 2020 and 2021 wasn’t explicitly mentioned by Hall on Monday with quarterback Ty Keyes, receiver Jason Brownlee and Mays as players who have earned starting spots.
Hall cleared the air on Tuesday while also nailing down who the super back will be.
“Frank Gore will start and we’ll kind of go from there,” Hall said. “Right now (Antavious Willis) would start at the super back spot, Frank would start at the running back spot. They’re all talented, they’re all going to play and start in the kicking game”
Mississippi State transfer Janari Dean continues to be the running back the offense turns to the most among first and second team as Gore’s reps are limited.
True freshman Kenyon Clay has also impressed in his first fall, though he did have trouble with ball control in the opening week.
“We’re all one in the stable,” Gore Jr. said. “We all try to feed off each other and feed off each other’s energy. They push me. I know I have some dogs behind me pushing me for my position every day and that’s very good.”
Hall has praised Gore for his work throughout camp, mentioning on Friday he was one of the two best players on the team along with safety Jay Stanley. The third-year back led the way in rushing during Tuesday’s scrimmage.
“Frank has had a great camp and he did a great job with his body this offseason,” Hall said. “He has a chance to be a special player.”
A new offensive weapon emerging
The transition from junior college to Division I can sometimes take a while to click for a wide receiver. According to Hall, Pearl River Community College product Latreal “Frog” Jones isn’t having much issue adjusting to the faster game.
“(Jones) has been awesome, he’s had a great first seven to eight practices of fall camp,” Hall said. “He had a little bit of a hand injury, he’s banged up like everyone else is across the country and it’s limited him a little bit. But those first seven or eight practices you could argue he was the most explosive player on the team... I think he’s got a chance to have a really good year.”
Brownlee’s spot on the outside is secure and an emerging Jones is likely to at least appear in the two-deep for week one.
Returning wide out Jakarius Caston has continued to perform well this month and was on the receiving end of a goal line touchdown strike from Keyes Tuesday.
Further down the depth chart, walk-on Jack Jackson from Hattiesburg High School took a screen pass from Jake Lange 70 yards for a score.
Health report
The squad is nearly out of the woods. Since Hayes Maples’ pre-camp injury, the rest of the roster has been largely unscathed.
Brownlee is currently nursing a lower body injury but is expected to be ready to go by the end of the week. Jones’ hand injury is expected to heal before week one.
Mays went down during the scrimmage but Hall said he should be fine and ready to go.
The next scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday at 8:15 a.m.
The Golden Eagles take the field against Liberty on September 3 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
