University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Ten Football Players Make Phil Steele Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams
6/16/2022 1:53:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Ten Southern Miss football players earned recognition by Phil Steele's Publications in making one of four preseason All-Sun Belt Teams prior to the school's inaugural season in its new conference.
Three Golden Eagles, Jason Brownlee (wide receiver), Camron Harrell (kick returner) and Natrone Brooks (punt returner) all earned first-team honors. On the second team was Southern Miss safety Malik Shorts. Hayes Maples (linebacker) and Jay Stanley (safety) earned third-team mentions, while Frank Gore, Jr. (running back), Gerquan Scott (offensive guard), Swayze Bozeman (linebacker) and Mason Hunt (punter) were fourth-team picks.
Brownlee, from West Point, Miss., led the squad with 46 catches for 643 yards last season with eight touchdown grabs, while Harrell (Bradley, Ill.) returned 26 kicks for a 25.5 yard per return average that included a 95-yard kickoff return for a score against Rice and Brooks (Starkville, Miss.) enjoyed a 14.0 yard per punt return over 10 in 2021.
Shorts, from Bassfield, Miss., led the team in tackles a season ago with 89, to go along with two tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Maples, from Hattiesburg, Miss., ranked second on the squad in tackles a year ago with 60 to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, while Stanley, from Greenwood, Miss., posted 56 stops (30 solos) to along with 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and a fumble recovery to his credit.
Gore, Jr., who is from Miami, Fla., led the team in rushing with 801 yards and five rushing scores. As part of the super back offense, Gore threw 10-of-16 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns, helping lead the Golden Eagles to a near upset of nationally ranked UTSA, before beating Louisiana Tech and FIU to end out the season.
Scott, from Mobile, Ala., played and started in 10 games along the offensive line, while Swayze Bozeman saw limited action due to injury as he posted 20 tackles in six games. Hunt, from Wiggins, Miss., punted 71 times last season for a 43.6 yard per boot average, including 40 fair catches, 18 inside the opponent's 20, 15 of 50 or more yards and only six touchbacks.
The Golden Eagles open the 2022 season at home against Liberty. Game time is set for 6 p.m., and can be heard on the Southern Miss Sports Network or watched via webstream at ESPN+.
Tickets for this fall's home schedule can be purchased online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-84-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays during normal business hours.
Three Golden Eagles, Jason Brownlee (wide receiver), Camron Harrell (kick returner) and Natrone Brooks (punt returner) all earned first-team honors. On the second team was Southern Miss safety Malik Shorts. Hayes Maples (linebacker) and Jay Stanley (safety) earned third-team mentions, while Frank Gore, Jr. (running back), Gerquan Scott (offensive guard), Swayze Bozeman (linebacker) and Mason Hunt (punter) were fourth-team picks.
Brownlee, from West Point, Miss., led the squad with 46 catches for 643 yards last season with eight touchdown grabs, while Harrell (Bradley, Ill.) returned 26 kicks for a 25.5 yard per return average that included a 95-yard kickoff return for a score against Rice and Brooks (Starkville, Miss.) enjoyed a 14.0 yard per punt return over 10 in 2021.
Shorts, from Bassfield, Miss., led the team in tackles a season ago with 89, to go along with two tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Maples, from Hattiesburg, Miss., ranked second on the squad in tackles a year ago with 60 to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, while Stanley, from Greenwood, Miss., posted 56 stops (30 solos) to along with 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and a fumble recovery to his credit.
Gore, Jr., who is from Miami, Fla., led the team in rushing with 801 yards and five rushing scores. As part of the super back offense, Gore threw 10-of-16 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns, helping lead the Golden Eagles to a near upset of nationally ranked UTSA, before beating Louisiana Tech and FIU to end out the season.
Scott, from Mobile, Ala., played and started in 10 games along the offensive line, while Swayze Bozeman saw limited action due to injury as he posted 20 tackles in six games. Hunt, from Wiggins, Miss., punted 71 times last season for a 43.6 yard per boot average, including 40 fair catches, 18 inside the opponent's 20, 15 of 50 or more yards and only six touchbacks.
The Golden Eagles open the 2022 season at home against Liberty. Game time is set for 6 p.m., and can be heard on the Southern Miss Sports Network or watched via webstream at ESPN+.
Tickets for this fall's home schedule can be purchased online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-84-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays during normal business hours.
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