University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Seven Golden Eagles Named to Athlon Sports' Preseason C-USA Team
5/28/2021 10:02:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr. and linebacker Hayes Maples earned First-Team Preseason All-Conference USA nods from Athlon Sports, headlining the Golden Eagles' seven overall selections.
Other honorees include Camron Harrell (second team), Jason Brownlee, Khalique Washington (third), Tahj Sykes and Briggs Bourgeois (fourth).
Both Gore and Maples were named to Conference USA's Second Team last sesaon. Gore (Miami, Fla.) was the team's leading rusher and a human highlight reel last season as a true freshman, producing 708 yards on the ground (5.9 ypc). He passed the century mark in wins over North Texas, North Alabama and FAU. Maples, a Hattiesburg native, posted a team-high 91 tackles that included a career-high 15 against Tulane. He also earned All-Freshman honors from the league in 2019.
Harrell (Bradley, Ill.) closed the season with C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honors thanks to a 100-yard kickoff-return TD in a 45-31 win over Florida Atlantic. He also added a 48-yard dash against LA Tech, both team-highs for the season, with 29 tackles and three pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries as a cornerback.
Brownlee, a wide receiver out of West Point and East Mississippi CC, showcased big-play abilities early in his Golden Eagle tenure, surpassing the century mark in consecutive games against Tulane, North Texas and Liberty, en route to a team-highs of 34 catches for 601 yards and five touchdowns. Washington, from Lebanon, Pa., enters his third season after transferring from Dodge City CC. He started eight of 10 games after also having nine in the 2019 season on the offensive line.
Sykes, a defensive lineman and Columbus native, started eight games last season and made 28 tackles, including five for loss. This will mark his fifth season in the program after gaining valuable experience each year. Bourgeois (St. Amant, La.) missed the 2019 season due to injury but went 12-for-16 on field goals in 2020 while converting all 29 PATs.
Southern Miss opens the Will Hall era on Sept. 4 at South Alabama, followed by the Sept. 11 home opener against Grambling. Season tickets can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays between 8 a.m., and 5 p.m. Renewel deadline for season ticket holders is June 1.
Other honorees include Camron Harrell (second team), Jason Brownlee, Khalique Washington (third), Tahj Sykes and Briggs Bourgeois (fourth).
Both Gore and Maples were named to Conference USA's Second Team last sesaon. Gore (Miami, Fla.) was the team's leading rusher and a human highlight reel last season as a true freshman, producing 708 yards on the ground (5.9 ypc). He passed the century mark in wins over North Texas, North Alabama and FAU. Maples, a Hattiesburg native, posted a team-high 91 tackles that included a career-high 15 against Tulane. He also earned All-Freshman honors from the league in 2019.
Harrell (Bradley, Ill.) closed the season with C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honors thanks to a 100-yard kickoff-return TD in a 45-31 win over Florida Atlantic. He also added a 48-yard dash against LA Tech, both team-highs for the season, with 29 tackles and three pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries as a cornerback.
Brownlee, a wide receiver out of West Point and East Mississippi CC, showcased big-play abilities early in his Golden Eagle tenure, surpassing the century mark in consecutive games against Tulane, North Texas and Liberty, en route to a team-highs of 34 catches for 601 yards and five touchdowns. Washington, from Lebanon, Pa., enters his third season after transferring from Dodge City CC. He started eight of 10 games after also having nine in the 2019 season on the offensive line.
Sykes, a defensive lineman and Columbus native, started eight games last season and made 28 tackles, including five for loss. This will mark his fifth season in the program after gaining valuable experience each year. Bourgeois (St. Amant, La.) missed the 2019 season due to injury but went 12-for-16 on field goals in 2020 while converting all 29 PATs.
Southern Miss opens the Will Hall era on Sept. 4 at South Alabama, followed by the Sept. 11 home opener against Grambling. Season tickets can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays between 8 a.m., and 5 p.m. Renewel deadline for season ticket holders is June 1.
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