University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Spring Practice Report: Day Two
3/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss football team was back out on the field after having a free Wednesday. The Golden Eagles remained padless and did a few more team drills than in the first practice.
Head coach Jay Hopson
On the movement of practice:
"I thought it was up and down. I thought we finished well, but there are a lot of fundamental things to get better at, and that's the reality of spring. I just want to see us get better each day from now.
On the various position battles:
"I think we have a couple of good ones. Our cornerback position is pretty strong with a lot of guys. At safety we have some open possibilities, and Tarvarius has done a real good job and is a guy we are high on. On the other side, we have guys like Demetrius Market, Jomez Applewhite, Kevin Williams and of course Picasso Nelson who isn't going through spirng. We have guys like that battling, and Xavier Marion can go either way in that battle. It's fun to watch that competition."
On how Day Two appeared:
"We've probably gone a little faster place than last year because there was some retention. Looking back on film you'll see some busts in assignments, but retention was pretty good."
On the cohesiveness of new assistants
"Other than one or two guys, it's all the same so it's easy. Eric and of course Scotty, we knew all the same guys and he knew a lot of guys on this staff, so it's easy."
Senior defensive back Tarvarius Moore
On the new season:
"Getting in rhythm every day is becoming like a second nature to me. Keep repping. Knowing the system and getting better. I'm just trying to get that advantage over the next guy. On working with Dish: Disch has been in the defense for a long time with Coach Hopson and coaching that 2011 team that won C-USA. He knows the defense in and out and I'm just getting extra film study with him and going to take advantage of that."
On the starting position:
"I wouldn't say I'm the man. I will say it's pretty a good leg-up. I'm trying to come in and stay humble just like I was last year."
On being a senior:
"I'm just showing them how to lead. Showing them right from wrong. I'm just helping with assignments and lineups just to give them a little edge up on the competition."
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Paxton Schrimsher
On defense:
"Last spring, we had a new defense put in so it was a lot of learning and a lot of working on technique. So now, everyone knows the defense for the most part it's just playing. Trying to get better at your position."
Comfortable in position:
"Wolf, linebacker, I'll be comfortable. Wherever they put me I'll be comfortable. I ended up playing wolf at the end of the season and I've really enjoyed it. It's a playmaker's position."
