University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Getting to Know Your Golden Eagles
8/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2007
Throughout the 2007-08 athletic seasons, Southern Miss Athletic Media Relations student assistant Katlin Odems will sit down for an interview with your Golden Eagles and discuss the ins and outs of their respective sports.
This week features four senior members of your Golden Eagle football team: Brandon Sumrall, Chris Clark, Jeremy Young and Sean Merrill.
Brandon Sumrall - Defensive Back
What are your expectations for this season? "I just come out here and get busy. I try to get better and better each game."
Do you have any game-day rituals? "Yes, I have a hand shake that I use to do with Howard Overby. I think that I'm going to it with LeVance Richmond this year."
How is the move to corner treating you? "It's great. I'm learning day-by-day. Right now I'm learning technique and trying to execute."
What team are you anticipating playing this year? "It doesn't matter because every team is the same to me. I'm focusing on the first game and then trying to move on from there."
Corner backs aren't usually known for hard hits. Are you going to make it a new trend? "I'm a safety moving to corner, so basically all I have to do now is learn how to cover and get my foot work down. The hard hitting will always be there."
What is in the CD player right now? "Aaliyah"
What do you like to do in your spare time? "I like to sit at my house and chill. I also go home and spend time with my grandmother."
What is your most memorable moment from Southern Miss so far? "My most memorable moment was when we blocked a field goal kick against Marshall. They would have won the game."
Which one of your teammates do you hang out with the most? "I hang out with everybody, but if I had to pick someone to hang with the most I would have to LeVance Richmond."
If you could Punk anyone of your teammates who would it be? "Chris Clark"
Chris Clark - Offensive Lineman
What are your expectations for the season? "I plan on going out and having a great season ... an undefeated season. It's my last year, and I want to go out with a bang. We have a lot of seniors and great leaders on this team, and I feel this is the year to get that done."
You're expected to play a big leadership role this year. Are you going to do that vocally or lead-by-example? "I'm more vocal, because on the offense the quarterback and I are the vocal guys. I also lead by example. I think that I'm a really good leader, and I try to lead these guys."
What did you work on the most to improve your game? "I worked on my step. Taking the proper step is 50% of an offensive lineman's game, so that is something I worked a lot on."
How has your four years at Southern Miss been? "It's been great. I wouldn't take it back for the world. I would love to relive it, but unfortunately it's my last year. I have to move on."
What do you like to do in your spare time? "I like to play dominos and Madden Football on the playstation."
If you could play any other position, what would it be? "I would play tight end. All of my life I wanted to play tight end, and I have never had the chance. I asked my coach in high school if I could play tight end, but he said tight tackle."
What is in your CD player right now? "Lil' Wayne"
What do you want to do with a degree in human resource management? "I want to go into casino management, because I have a lot of connections with that. I think that I can make good money in it."
What is your most memorable moment at Southern Miss? "When we played UAB my sophomore year, they needed another chance to score. We had a long drive and ran the ball down their throat."
If you could PUNK any of your teammates who would it be? "I would want to punk the entire defense at one time."
Jeremy Young - Quarterback
What are your expectations for the season? "As a team, we look forward to each season and trying to win the Conference. I don't have anything I'm trying to achieve personally. I want to make a play for my team and put other guys in the position to make plays."
You were voted best scrambler in the conference. Will we be seeing you get out of the pocket a lot this season? "I'm going to try to sit back and make plays with my arm, but if the situation comes where I have to run the ball, hopefully I can show why I earned that title."
What did you work on the most in the offseason to improve your game? "I watched a lot of film, lifted a lot of weight and did a lot of running to make sure I was physically fit to play this season."
Are there any quarterbacks you try to model yourself after? "Not really ... I like the way Michael Vick runs, but I like Peyton Manning as a mental guy. He operates the game so well. Hopefully, I can do the same."
What do you like to do in your spare time? "I like to shoot pool. In the off season, I like to play basketball."
What do you want to do with a degree in marketing? "One day, I would like to work for Budweiser, because they have some of the best commercials out there."
If someone was to get into your car, what would be in the CD player? "Lil' Boosie will be in there most of the time, or I might have some slow jams in it. It depends who is in the car."
What has it meant to you to be a Golden Eagle the last four years? "It means a lot. I looked at Southern Miss as being a team that has a rich tradition with winning conference championships, and that was one of the main reasons I picked Southern Miss. I wanted to come in and win some games, and we have done that so far. I'm proud to be a part of this team."
What is your most memorable moment from Southern Miss so far? "Outside of football, it's getting a college degree. Within football, I would have to say it was playing in the Swamp. That's a great atmosphere."
How do you feel when you come out the locker room and step into The Rock? "It's really exciting. The fans get us fired up when we're in the helmet and the smoke let's us know it is time to play some football."
What team are you most anticipating this year? "I like to take it one game at a time, so I'm looking forward to playing Tennessee-Martin. If you look over a team, you'll end up losing that one. I'm looking forward to the first game."
Sean Merrill - Defensive Lineman
What are your expectations for this season? "I think every team has expectations of winning a championship, so my expectations are to come out here and practice hard everyday and play even harder."
How does playing junior college football differ from your experience playing at Southern Miss? "Junior college ball is a great start for players if they can't get their grades right or whatever the case may be. I definitely enjoyed playing. It was a great stepping stone to Division-1 ball."
Do you have any game-day rituals? "I pray that God is with me, my teammates and the opposing team."
AWith eight of this year's 12 games being televised, do you think that makes any difference to the team? "There is always excitement about televised games. Fans get a little bit more excited in the stands. We are definitely excited about it, and the more exposure that Southern Miss gets the better it is for the program."
What is your favorite sports movie of all time? "The Program."
What does it mean to you to be a Golden Eagle? "It means a lot. Coach Bower gave me a chance after junior college ball to come here. I'm enjoying every second of it. Coach Wilt and Coach Hopson have taught me so much."
What player on the team do you hang around the most? "Chris Rhoden and Todd Wilson ... Chris is my roommate, so we hang out a lot, naturally. Ryan McKee is one of my best friends too, so those three guys are who I basically hang with."
If you could play any other position what would it be? "I would want to play wide receiver. I would love to be able to get down the field like those guys."
What do you plan on doing after graduation? "I want to get my career started. I'm engaged to my girlfriend, so hopefully I'll get married and have a family."
