Football Boasts Seven Players on Sun Belt All-Conference Teams

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Seven Southern Miss football players, including sophomore running back Frank Gore, Jr., who collected a pair of accolades, earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors announced Thursday morning in a vote conducted by the 14 league schools and selected media members.

Gore, Jr. picked up a first-team honor as all-purpose back, as well as a second-team spot at running back. Wide receiver Jason Brownlee, linebacker Santrell Latham, defensive backs Malik Shorts and Jay Stanley, along with kicker Briggs Bourgeois and punter Mason Hunt, collected third-team honors.

Four other Golden Eagles, defensive back Natrone Brooks, linebackers Daylen Gill and Averie Habas, along with defensive lineman Jalen Williams, collected honorable mention honors.

Gore, Jr. reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the initial time in his Golden Eagle tenure as it marked the first occasion for the school since 2017. Heading into a bowl contest, Gore, Jr. owns 1,053 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns, a 5.1 yards per carry average while rushing for 87.8 yards per game. His exploits led to the 21st time a Golden Eagle has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in a season and, after posting a career-high 199 yards on the ground in the season finale at ULM, Gore, Jr. jumped into the No. 8 spot on the career chart for rushing with 2,562 yards.

During the year, Gore, Jr. also added 19 catches for 219 yards and threw for 172 yards on 6-of-12 passes with a pair of touchdowns throws.

As for Brownlee, the school's Conerly Trophy finalist for top player in the state of Mississippi, he led the Golden Eagles in catches (52), receiving yards (819) and touchdown catches (7). He also moved into the No. 10 spot at the school in career receiving yards with 2,072 yards after making a 23-yard catch at ULM. Brownlee ranks tied for No.2 with Mike Thomas and Quez Watkins at the school in career 100-yard receiving games and his 20 career touchdown receptions ranks No. 4 in USM history.

Latham finished second during the regular season in tackles with 81 (32 solo), which ranks No. 18 in the league, to go along with 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He led the team in tackles twice against Tulane (9) and Troy (10) and was tied for tops against Arkansas State and Coastal Carolina with eight and seven, respectively. His TFL number is tied for second best on the team.

Shorts led the team in tackles during the regular season with 92 to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and two QB hurries. He ranks No. 8 in the SBC in tackles per game and had four double-digit tackle games, including a season-high 14 at Miami. He also added 12 against Liberty, and 11 each versus Louisiana and South Alabama. His three interceptions were second-best on the squad. He helped the defense post a team-total 16 interceptions during the year.

Stanley recorded 57 tackles (26 solo) with four tackles for loss, a sack, as well as team highs for both interceptions (four) and pass breakups (six), to go along with three forced fumbles, another team high, and one fumble recovery. He ranks No. 14 in the FBS in forced fumbles (No. 3 in the Sun Belt) and No. 25 (No. 5 in the SBC) in interceptions per game. He is No. 11 in the SBC in passes defended. Enjoyed a season-high nine stops versus Troy and added eight against Arkansas State. Had at least five stops in seven games during the year.

Bourgeois led the team in scoring with 82 points, as he converted 17-of-18 field goals and 31-of-32 extra points during the year. He finished the regular season by making his 15th and 16th field goals in a row. His only miss came in the season opener against Liberty. He tied with two other Sun Belt kickers with the best field goal percentage (94.4) as all three are 17-of-18 this season. He made a career-long of 53 yards against Liberty and his 17 makes tied for the most in the league. He ranks No. 24 nationally in field goals made per game (1.42) and fifth in field goal percentage. Of the three players tied for the league lead in field goals, Bourgeois is the only one who has full-time duty with kickoffs and average 63.3 yards per kickoff this season over 60 kickoffs with 35 touchbacks and only two out of bounds.

Over 66 punts in 2022, Hunt averaged 42.5 per punt with a long of 59 yards. His other numbers included 25 inside the opponent's 20, 16 of 50 or more yards, 28 fair catches, and only eight touchbacks. He led the league in 50-yard punts and was second in punts downed inside the opponent's 20. He averaged over 45 yards a punt in three different games during the campaign, including at Tulane, at Troy and versus Georgia State. He posted a season-high three 50-plus punts against Georgia State. He pinned the opponents inside the 20 four times in three different games.

As for honorable mention players, Brooks registered 27 tackles (16 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. One of his interceptions was returned for 52 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana. He blocked a field goal against Tulane, which was one five blocks by the Golden Eagles during the year.

Gill ended the regular season third on the team with 76 tackles (33 solos) with six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one QB hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He ranked No. 25 in tackles per game in the SBC.

Habas got credited with 45 tackles (19 solo) during the regular season including a team-high 12 tackles for loss and three sacks. He added one pass breakup. He put together at season-best eight stops in the season finale at ULM.

Williams led the Golden Eagle defense line with 47 tackles (17 solos) with 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and a blocked kick. Williams ranks No. 5 on the team in total tackles. Had season-high nine stops versus Georgia State and enjoyed seven tackle games against both Miami and Tulane.

The 2022 season was the inaugural campaign for Golden Eagle football in the Sun Belt Conference.

2022 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
Player of the Year
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (RS Jr., QB – Indian Trail, N.C.)
Offensive Player of the Year
Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Defensive Player of the Year
Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.)
Newcomer of the Year
Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Freshman of the Year
Jared Brown, Coastal Carolina (RS Fr., WR – Lilburn, Ga.)
Coach of the Year
Jon Sumrall, Troy

All-Sun Belt First Team Offense
QB – Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (RS Jr., QB – Indian Trail, N.C.)
RB – Khalan Laborn, Marshall (6th Yr., RB – Virginia Beach, Fla.)
RB – La'Damian Webb, South Alabama (Jr., RB – Opelika, Ala.)
OL – Cooper Hodges, App State (RS Jr., OL – Glen St. Mary, Fla.)
OL – Austin Stidham, Troy (Sr., OL – Russellville, Ala.)
OL – Willie Lampkin, Coastal Carolina (Jr., OL – Lakeland, Fla.)
OL – Jake Andrews, Troy (Jr., OL – Millbrook, Ala.)
OL – Anderson Hardy, App State (RS Jr., OL – Raleigh, N.C.)
TE – Seydou Traore, Arkansas State (So., TE – London, England)
WR – Jamari Thrash, Georgia State (RS Jr., WR – LaGrange, Ga.)
WR – Kris Thornton, James Madison (RS Sr., WR – Manassas, Va.)
WR – Ali Jennings III, Old Dominion (Jr., WR – Richmond, Va.)

All-Sun Belt First Team Defense
DL – T.J. Jackson, Troy (So., DL – Millbrook, Ala.)
DL – Zi'Yon Hill-Green, Louisiana (RS Sr., DL – New Iberia, La.)
DL – Owen Porter, Marshall (RS Jr., DL – Huntington, W.Va.)
DL – Will Choloh, Troy (Sr., DL – Lawrenceville, Ga.)
DL – Isaac Ukwu, James Madison (RS Sr., DL – Upper Marlboro, Md.)
LB – Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr., LB – Mobile, Ala.)
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (So., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
LB – Nick Hampton, App State (RS Jr., LB – Anderson, S.C.)
DB – Yam Banks, South Alabama (So., DB – Ridgeland, Miss.)
DB – Micah Abraham, Marshall (RS Jr., DB – Tampa, Fla.)
DB – Reddy Steward, Troy (Jr., DB – Decatur, Ala.)
DB – Bralen Trahan, Louisiana (RS Sr., DB – Lafayette, La.)

All-Sun Belt First Team Special Teams
K – Dominic Zvada, Arkansas State (Fr., K – Chandler, Ariz.)
P – Rhys Byrns, Louisiana (Sr., P – Rye, Australia)
RS – Eric Garror, Louisiana (Sr., RS – Mobile, Ala.)
AP – Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss (So., AP – Miami, Fla.)

All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense
QB – Todd Centeio, James Madison (Gr., QB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)
RB – Kimani Vidal, Troy (So., RB – Marietta, Ga.)
RB – Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss (So., RB – Miami, Fla.)
OL – Khalil Crowder, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., OL – Carrollton, Ga.)
OL – Pat Bartlett, Georgia State (RS Sr., OL – Newtown, Pa.)
OL – Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion (RS Jr., OL – Waxhaw, N.C.)
OL – Malik Sumter, Georgia State (RS Sr., OL – Irmo, S.C.)
OL – Nick Kidwell, James Madison (RS Jr., OL – Knoxville, Md.)
TE – Henry Pearson, App State (Sr., TE – Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.)
WR – Jalen Wayne, South Alabama (Sr., WR – Spanish Fort, Ala.)
WR – Tyrone Howell, ULM (5th Yr., WR – Idabel, Okla.)
WR – Khaleb Hood, Georgia Southern (Sr., WR – McDonough, Ga.)

All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense
DL – Levi Bell, Texas State (RS Jr., DL – Cedar Park, Texas)
DL – James Carpenter, James Madison (RS So., DL – Roanoke, Va.)
DL – Richard Jibunor, Troy (Jr., DL – Delta State, Nigeria)
DL – Jamare Edwards, James Madison (RS Sr., DL – Miami, Fla.)
DL – Josaiah Stewart, Coastal Carolina (So., DL – Bronx, N.Y.)
LB – Marques Watson-Trent, Georgia Southern (RS So., LB – Beaver Falls, Pa.)
LB – Andre Jones, Louisiana (RS Sr., LB – Varnado, La.)
LB – Jourdan Quibodeaux, Louisiana (RS Sr., LB – Lafayette, La.)
DB – Steven Jones Jr., App State (RS Sr., DB – Rockingham, N.C.)
DB – Quavian White, Georgia State (Sr., DB – Greer, S.C.)
DB – Steven Gilmore, Marshall (Sr., DB – Rock Hill, S.C.)
DB – Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina (RS Sr., DB – High Point, N.C.)

All-Sun Belt Second Team Special Teams
K – Diego Guajardo, South Alabama (Jr., K – Spanish Fort, Ala.)
P – Devyn McCormick, ULM (5th, P – Port Charlotte, Fla.)
RS – Johnnie Lang Jr., Arkansas State (RS Sr., RS – Palmetto, Fla.)
AP – Johnnie Lang Jr., Arkansas State (RS Sr., AP – Palmetto, Fla.)

All-Sun Belt Third Team Offense
QB – Kyle Vantrease, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., QB – Stow, Ohio)
RB – Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison (Gr., RB – Frederick, Md.)
RB – Jalen White, Georgia Southern (Jr., RB – Daleville, Ala.)
OL – James Jackson, South Alabama (Sr., OL – Moss Point, Miss.)
OL – Kyle Hergel, Texas State (RS Jr., OL – Toronto, Canada)
OL – Caleb Kelly, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., OL – Warner Robins, Ga.)
OL – Isaiah Helms, App State (Jr., OL – Hudson, N.C.)
OL – Antwine Loper, Coastal Carolina (Super Sr., OL – Conway, S.C.)
TE – Jacob Jenkins, Coastal Carolina (Jr., TE – Hoover, Ala.)
WR – Jason Brownlee, Southern Miss (Sr., WR – West Point, Miss.)
WR – Sam Pinckney, Coastal Carolina (RS Sr., WR – Greenwood, S.C.)
WR – Michael Jefferson, Louisiana (Sr., WR – Mobile, Ala.)

All-Sun Belt Third Team Defense
DL – Kivon Bennett, Arkansas State (RS Sr., DL – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
DL – Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina (RS Sr., DL – Dorchester, Mass.)
DL – Justin Ellis, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., DL – Roswell, Ga.)
DL – Javon Solomon, Troy (So., DL – Tallahassee, Fla.)
LB – Taurus Jones, James Madison (RS So., LB – Portsmouth, Va.)
LB – JT Killen, Coastal Carolina (RS Jr., LB – Lake Wylie, S.C.)
LB – Santrell Latham, Southern Miss (RS Sr., LB – Meridian, Miss.)
DB – Jay Stanley, Southern Miss (Jr., DB – Greenwood, Miss.)
DB – Malik Shorts, Southern Miss (RS Jr., DB – Bassfield, Miss.)
DB – Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama (Sr., DB – Hattiesburg, Miss.)
DB – Antavious Lane, Georgia State (RS Jr., DB – West Palm Beach, Fla.)
DB – Derrick Canteen, Georgia Southern (RS Jr., DB – Evans, Ga.)

All-Sun Belt Third Team Special Teams
K – Briggs Bourgeois, Southern Miss (RS Sr., K – St. Amant, La.)
P – Mason Hunt, Southern Miss (RS Sr., P – Wiggins, Miss.)
RS – Milan Tucker, App State (RS So., RS – Lehigh Acres, Fla.)
AP – La'Damian Webb, South Alabama (Jr., AP – Opelika, Ala.)

All-Sun Belt Honorable Mentions
App State
QB – Chase Brice (RS Sr., QB – Grayson, Ga.)
RB – Nate Noel (So., RB – Miami, Fla.)
WR – Kaedin Robinson (RS So., WR – Asheville, N.C.)
LB – Jalen McLeod (So., LB – Washington, D.C.)

Arkansas State
QB – James Blackman (RS Sr., QB – South Bay, Fla.)
OL – Jordan Rhodes (RS Sr., OL – Fairburn, Ga.)
WR – Champ Flemings (RS Sr., WR – Pasadena, Calif.)
DL – TW Ayers (RS Jr., DL – Lamar, Mo.)

Coastal Carolina
RB – CJ Beasley (RS So., RB – Norfolk, Va.)
WR – Tyson Mobley (Jr., WR – Longwood, Fla.)
DL – Adrian Hope (Super Sr., DL – Ocala, Fla.)
LB – Shane Bruce (RS So., LB – Carrollton, Ga.)

Georgia Southern
WR – Derwin Burgess Jr. (So., WR – Riverdale, Ga.)
WR – Jeremy Singleton (RS Sr., WR – New Orleans, La.)
DB – Anthony Wilson (RS Jr., DB – Columbia, S.C.)
K – Alex Raynor (RS Jr., K – Kennesaw, Ga.)

Georgia State
QB – Darren Grainger (RS Sr., QB – Conway, S.C.)
RB – Tucker Gregg (Sr., RB – Chatsworth, Ga.)
DL – Javon Denis (RS Jr., DL – Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
K – Michael Hayes (RS Jr, K – Florence, S.C.)

James Madison
TE – Drew Painter (RS Sr., TE – Hershey, Pa.)
LB – Jailin Walker (So., LB – Richmond, Va.)
DB – Sam Kidd (RS Sr., DB – Reston, Va.)
DB – Jordan Swann (RS Sr., DB – Newark, Del.)

Louisiana
RB – Chris Smith (RS Jr., RB – Louisville, Miss.)
TE – Neal Johnson (Jr., TE – Mesquite, Texas)
TE – Johnny Lumpkin (RS Sr., TE – Atlanta, Ga.)
LB – Kris Moncrief (Sr., LB – Raleigh, Miss.)

ULM
DL – Caleb Thomas (Gr., DL – Mansfield, Texas)
LB – Quae Drake (Jr. LB – Wadley, Ala.)
LB – Zack Woodard (Gr., LB – Thomasville, Ala.)
K – Calum Sutherland (6th Yr., K – Keller, Texas)

Marshall
WR – Corey Gammage (RS Jr., WR – Delray Beach, Fla.)
DL – Koby Cumberlander (RS SR., DL – Roswell, Ga.)
LB – Eli Neal (Jr., LB – Memphis, Tenn.)_
DB – Andre Sam (6th Yr., DB – Iowa, La.)

Old Dominion
RB – Blake Watson (RS Jr., RB – Queens, N.Y.)
DL – Alonzo Ford Jr. (So., DL – Richmond, Va.)
DB – R'Tarriun Johnson (RS Sr., DB – Wiggins, Miss.)
P – Ethan Duane (So., P – Melbourne, Australia)

South Alabama
QB – Carter Bradley (Jr., QB – Jacksonville, Fla.)
WR – Devin Voisin (So., WR – Crestview, Fla.)
DL – Wy'Kevious Thomas (RS So., DL – Riverdale, Ga.)
DB – Jaden Voisin (So., DB – Crestview, Fla.)

Southern Miss
DL – Jalen Williams (RS So., DL – Tylertown, Miss.)
LB – Daylen Gill (Sr., LB – Louisville, Miss.)
LB – Averie Habas (Jr., LB – Rice Lake, Wis.)
DB – Natrone Brooks (Sr., DB – Starkville, Miss.)

Texas State
WR – Ashtyn Hawkins (So., WR – Desoto, Texas)
LB – Jordan Revels (Jr., LB – Houston, Texas)
DB – Tory Spears (RS Jr., DB – Houston, Texas)
K – Seth Keller (RS Jr., K – Colleyville, Texas)

Troy
WR – Tez Johnson (So., WR – Pinson, Ala.)
LB – KJ Robertson (Sr., LB – Alabaster, Ala.)
DB – Dell Pettus (Jr., DB – Harvest, Ala.)
DB – Craig Slocum Jr. (Sr., DB – Lake Butler, Fla.)

Football Boasts Seven Players on Sun Belt All-Conference Teams

Players Mentioned

Briggs Bourgeois

Natrone Brooks

Jason Brownlee

Daylen Gill

Frank Gore, Jr.

Averie Habas

Mason Hunt

Santrell Latham

Malik Shorts

Jay Stanley

Jalen Williams

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