University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Nine Golden Eagles Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Conference USA Team
6/23/2021 3:40:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss football placed nine players on Phil Steele's Preseason All-Conference USA Team, headlined by five being named Second-Team Preseason All-Conference USA.
The five Golden Eagles earning second team honors included Frank Gore Jr. (Miami, Fla.) at running back, Jason Brownlee (West Point, Miss.) at wide receiver and lineman Arvin Fletcher (Madison, Miss.) on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, linebackers Hayes Maples (Hattiesburg, Miss.) and Santrell Latham (Meridian, Miss.) were also selected for the second team.
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) en route to being named a Conference USA Second Team performer. He passed the century mark in wins over North Texas, North Alabama and FAU. 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, while Fletcher has started in every game since 2017 along the offensive line.
Maples, a Hattiesburg native, posted a team-high 91 tackles that included a career-high 15 against Tulane to join Gore as a Conference USA Second Team selection. He also earned All-Freshman honors from the league in 2019. Latham led the team in sacks with four last season, while also forcing a fumble and picking off a pass. He finished the season with 49 tackles in eight games.
The third team featured offensive lineman Khalique Washington (Lebanon, Pa.), Rachuan Mitchell (Jacksonville, Fla.) at defensive back and Camron Harrell on special teams, while defensive lineman Tahj Sykes (Columbus, Miss.) earned fourth-team preseason honors.
For Fletcher and Mitchell, it marks the second straight year being named to the preseason team.
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.
The five Golden Eagles earning second team honors included Frank Gore Jr. (Miami, Fla.) at running back, Jason Brownlee (West Point, Miss.) at wide receiver and lineman Arvin Fletcher (Madison, Miss.) on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, linebackers Hayes Maples (Hattiesburg, Miss.) and Santrell Latham (Meridian, Miss.) were also selected for the second team.
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) en route to being named a Conference USA Second Team performer. He passed the century mark in wins over North Texas, North Alabama and FAU. 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, while Fletcher has started in every game since 2017 along the offensive line.
Maples, a Hattiesburg native, posted a team-high 91 tackles that included a career-high 15 against Tulane to join Gore as a Conference USA Second Team selection. He also earned All-Freshman honors from the league in 2019. Latham led the team in sacks with four last season, while also forcing a fumble and picking off a pass. He finished the season with 49 tackles in eight games.
The third team featured offensive lineman Khalique Washington (Lebanon, Pa.), Rachuan Mitchell (Jacksonville, Fla.) at defensive back and Camron Harrell on special teams, while defensive lineman Tahj Sykes (Columbus, Miss.) earned fourth-team preseason honors.
For Fletcher and Mitchell, it marks the second straight year being named to the preseason team.
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.
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