The USM spring game showed where the Golden Eagles can turn weakness into strength ahead of critical season
The Golden Eagles are one step closer to a critical season in year four of the Will Hall era.
Southern Miss is mixing together new systems on both sides of the ball with hefty turnover in personnel taking the field on first team heading into Hall’s contract season — which comes after a disappointing 3-9 season and growing pressure to compete within the Sun Belt’s West division.
The weight of the now-or-never situation is evident in Hall’s decision to hire two new coordinators, but it’s not a moment he’s hiding from in the public eye.
“It’s time to win, point blank,” Hall said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “Everybody within these walls knows that. That’s what we’re focusing on every day.”
Southern Miss still has a couple of practices to run before it officially closes the spring period, but the spring game scrimmage displayed the four-man race at quarterback and gave fans a look at how the new offense operates under coordinator Chip Long.
It also provided a glimpse of a defense that is using last year’s troubles to fuel a surge in depth and strength on the back end.
Crawford, White dazzle
Ethan Crawford showed enough promise late in the 2023 season for the staff to feel confident in burning his redshirt as a true freshman.
Now in his first spring after missing last year with a torn ACL, the second-year dual threat from Tuscaloosa is making Hall and Long’s decision difficult with his impressive combination of strength and athleticism.
Crawford was the most successful quarterback during the scrimmage and led the first touchdown drive of the day. He showcased his elusiveness by evading a sack early in the drive and his arm when he struck a wide-open Chandler Pittman down the seam for a 50-yard score.
“I just play with my heart, every time I step on the field I feel like there’s nobody that can stop me,” Crawford said on his own case for the starting job. “Any situation I put myself in, I’m prepared for. I worked so hard to come back this spring. ... I want it too bad to let anybody think they’re going to beat me over. I worked for this moment.”
Also battling with Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker and incumbent starter Billy Wiles is true freshman John White. The early enrollee led the only other full-field touchdown drive, completing passes of 26, 18 and 19 yards before connecting with Jack Jackson for a 6-yard score.
When speaking on White, Hall drew a direct comparison to one of his former protégés.
“(White) has been as sharp as any true freshman I’ve ever coached, besides (former Tulane quarterback) Michael Pratt,” Hall said. “He’s very similar to Pratt in how he came in and just picked it up. From the first practice, he seems like a college quarterback. He doesn’t seem like a true freshman. He’s very cerebral ... extremely accurate, he can run.”
White and Crawford’s performances were juxtaposed with those of Rodemaker and Wiles, who were both held out of the end zone. Rodemaker threw an interception in a two-minute drill and Wiles fumbled after being sacked by Eric Thomas.
Around the quarterbacks, the pocket was kept clean by a new-look offensive line on drop-back plays and a true sophomore receiver stood out as an instant playmaker.
J.J. Butler arrived last summer and didn’t record a catch during his freshman season, but he has worked his way onto the first team in his first spring and led all in receptions during the scrimmage.
Standing 6-foot-5, Butler caught two long passes from Rodemaker and was underneath favorite for each quarterback who threw to him.
“I think he can be (a go-to target) one day, I think he’s growing into that role,” Hall said. “J.J. is a really good football player. ... This is his first spring, he gets better every day, he’s been thrown into the fire and he’s embraced competition.”
Defensive woes turned into strengths
The issues that plagued the USM defense a year ago are lingering through the spring, though they aren’t considered problems anymore.
The Golden Eagles were crippled by significant losses to the secondary throughout the season and it led to a league-worst 8.9 yards per pass attempt allowed.
Many of those players are still sidelined, including corners Brendan Toles, Zay Franks, Ques McNeil and safety Elijah Sabbatini.
But in their absence, extra reps have been spread around to what is now a surprisingly deep group of healthy defensive backs.
“How many programs can have that many guys out and still have that quality of competition?” Hall said. “(Our staff) has done a phenomenal job getting that much talent in. It’s going to be intense come the summer when you get those guys back.”
The staff — led by new defensive coordinator Clay Bignell — has also taken the opportunity to move players around. Dylan Lawrence has moved from safety to nickel corner and MJ Daniels has slid from corner to safety.
The group is also benefiting from a defensive line that players and coaches believe will continue to carry an edge for which Golden Eagle front sevens of the past have been known.
“Our D-line is nasty,” Lawrence said. “We’re going to be nasty up front. Point blank period.”
Southern Miss will run a pair of practices to close the spring period before summer workouts roll around. The Eagles open the 2024 season at Kentucky on Aug. 31.
This story was originally published April 5, 2024 at 11:00 PM.
