University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Assessing Golden Eagle Running Backs Through First Five Days of Camp
8/9/2022 1:32:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss fans are familiar with Frank Gore, Jr.
Gore, Jr., from Miami, Fla., returns for his third season at running back for Southern Miss and accumulated 1,509 rushing yards over his Golden Eagle career.
He will see a lion share of the rushes for the Golden Eagles this season.
Who else, though, are likely to see action in the Southern Miss backfield this fall?
"I have seen a lot of good things out of Janari Dean and Kenyon Clay is talented," said Southern Miss second-year coach Will Hall Tuesday after practice. "Kenyon has got to learn how to hold on to that football. You get hit harder at Southern Miss than you did at Union (High School).
"But, Janari and Kenyon have really flashed and (Dajon) Boogie (Richard) has been right there as well. At the Super Back spot Rambo (Antavious Willis) has really shown some good things and there are a lot of good things he can do as he continues to progress."
Dean, from Batesville, Miss., enjoys his first camp with the Golden Eagles after spending the last two seasons on the defensive side at Mississippi State, while Clay, of Union, Miss., enjoys his freshman campaign on the Southern Miss campus.
Richard, sophomore from Patterson, La., finished second on the team in rushing a year ago with 447 yards and ended his first season with the Golden Eagles with a pair of 100-yard performances. He tallied 120 yards on the ground at Louisiana Tech and 107 yards in the finale versus FIU.
As for Willis, a redshirt sophomore from Camden, Miss., he added 97 yards on the ground – all of which came in the final three games of last season as a Super Back – while adding 92 yards passing on 9-of-11 throws with one touchdown and one interception.
The Golden Eagle running backs, like the remainder of the team, enjoys their first day off tomorrow before returning to the practice fields for a Thursday morning workout.
Season tickets for the 2022 home schedule are available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
Gore, Jr., from Miami, Fla., returns for his third season at running back for Southern Miss and accumulated 1,509 rushing yards over his Golden Eagle career.
He will see a lion share of the rushes for the Golden Eagles this season.
Who else, though, are likely to see action in the Southern Miss backfield this fall?
"I have seen a lot of good things out of Janari Dean and Kenyon Clay is talented," said Southern Miss second-year coach Will Hall Tuesday after practice. "Kenyon has got to learn how to hold on to that football. You get hit harder at Southern Miss than you did at Union (High School).
"But, Janari and Kenyon have really flashed and (Dajon) Boogie (Richard) has been right there as well. At the Super Back spot Rambo (Antavious Willis) has really shown some good things and there are a lot of good things he can do as he continues to progress."
Dean, from Batesville, Miss., enjoys his first camp with the Golden Eagles after spending the last two seasons on the defensive side at Mississippi State, while Clay, of Union, Miss., enjoys his freshman campaign on the Southern Miss campus.
Richard, sophomore from Patterson, La., finished second on the team in rushing a year ago with 447 yards and ended his first season with the Golden Eagles with a pair of 100-yard performances. He tallied 120 yards on the ground at Louisiana Tech and 107 yards in the finale versus FIU.
As for Willis, a redshirt sophomore from Camden, Miss., he added 97 yards on the ground – all of which came in the final three games of last season as a Super Back – while adding 92 yards passing on 9-of-11 throws with one touchdown and one interception.
The Golden Eagle running backs, like the remainder of the team, enjoys their first day off tomorrow before returning to the practice fields for a Thursday morning workout.
Season tickets for the 2022 home schedule are available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
Players Mentioned
2026 National Signing Day Press Conference with Blake Anderson
Wednesday, February 04
Southern Miss 2026 National Signing Day
Wednesday, February 04
Christian Ostrander Preseason Press Conference
Monday, January 19
Blake Anderson Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 15







