Bobby Posey (1987) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Bobby Posey

Induction:
1987

Bobby Posey was another in the long line of talented running back/defensive backs that played for Southern Miss in the early 1950s. Posey starred for the Golden Eagles during the 1951 to 1953 seasons.
   What Posey had in common with those other talented backs of the early 1950s was a toughness about him that made the opposition not want to go up against him. Guys like Posey that weren’t afraid to lower their heads and run over you when they had the football and guys that weren’t afraid to run through you when you had the football.
   Coupled with the fact that Posey was a player that studied the game, who was always looking for a way to gain an advantage over his opponent. He was always a player who had a special love for the game of football, the competition, the matchups, and the opportunity to prove yourself, were all things that Posey loved.
   After spending 1950 with the freshman team, Posey was ready to move up to the varsity in time for the 1951 campaign. With running backs like Bucky McElroy and Scrappy Hart already on the team Posey knew he would have to bide his time and wait for his opportunity and when he finally got a chance he made the most of it. Playing several roles that year he made outstanding contributions to a Southern team that would finish 6-5. Posey would carry the ball only 19 times that year and gain 107 yards, but his 5.6 yards per carry average was one of the best on the team. That year would also see Posey catch four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown as the team won the Gulf States Conference title.
   Posey would see even more action in 1952 as he carried the ball 62 times for 408 yards and four touchdowns on a team that would record a 10-2 mark, win its final ten games of the regular season and play Pacific in the Sun Bowl. Posey by now had established himself as one of the most versatile players on the squad. In 1952 he not only ran the football, but also played a huge role on defense and the special teams, where he returned eight kickoffs for 142 yards. He also proved he could play either halfback or fullback.
   Posey fell back into his usual utility man role in 1953 and had a big hand in leading the team to a 9-2 record and another berth in the Sun Bowl, this time against Texas-El Paso. He had 30 carries for 100 yards, caught a pass for 16 yards, returned a kickoff for 20 yards, two punts for 20 yards and intercepted a pass. That team averaged 26.6 points a game and allowed only 8.5 a game.
   It is players like Posey that have made Southern Miss football so great. Players who are able to overcome the odds and accomplish things that others don’t believe they can accomplish. It was Posey’s versatility and the fact that he had the heart of a lion, that made him so special to Southern Miss football.