University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Opened Summer Camp Practice Wednesday
8/2/2023 12:25:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Year three of the Will Hall era officially got underway for Southern Miss football Wednesday morning when the Golden Eagles went through their first practice of summer camp at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
The Golden Eagles return a roster that includes 37 letterwinners and 15 returning starters, including eight on offense, five on defense and two on special teams.
One position the Golden Eagles will need to feature a replacement is at quarterback, where two players have jumped out to the forefront. That duo includes junior transfer Holman Edwards (French Camp, Miss.), who came to Southern Miss last spring from Houston and sophomore Billy Wiles (Ashburn, Va.) who came to join the Golden Eagles from Clemson last semester.
Hall said following practice to the media following that he is looking for three things out his starter heading into the season.
"Number one is accuracy," said Hall. "I don't think you can create that once I get them. Number two is toughness, mental and physical. I don't think you can create that once I get them, I think you can add to it. Then number three, the way they treat people around them. They're teammates would tell you, they've already moved in with several offensive lineman. They've already got off-campus places with them. That's how quick they were able to latch on to people and people were to take to them."
The 2 hour, 20-minute practice saw the Golden Eagles workout in NCAA mandated shorts and helmets and a lot was thrown at the team during its first practice session.
"We had a lot of energy on day one, which everybody across the country is going to say," said Hall. "You could see, though, the depth in our program in the way we practiced. We were a lot better last year than we were in year one and we've taken another step here going into year three."
The Golden Eagles open the 2023 season at home, Saturday, Sept. 2, against Alcorn State. Tickets are still available for the six home games this fall. Fans can contact purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.
The Golden Eagles return a roster that includes 37 letterwinners and 15 returning starters, including eight on offense, five on defense and two on special teams.
One position the Golden Eagles will need to feature a replacement is at quarterback, where two players have jumped out to the forefront. That duo includes junior transfer Holman Edwards (French Camp, Miss.), who came to Southern Miss last spring from Houston and sophomore Billy Wiles (Ashburn, Va.) who came to join the Golden Eagles from Clemson last semester.
Hall said following practice to the media following that he is looking for three things out his starter heading into the season.
"Number one is accuracy," said Hall. "I don't think you can create that once I get them. Number two is toughness, mental and physical. I don't think you can create that once I get them, I think you can add to it. Then number three, the way they treat people around them. They're teammates would tell you, they've already moved in with several offensive lineman. They've already got off-campus places with them. That's how quick they were able to latch on to people and people were to take to them."
The 2 hour, 20-minute practice saw the Golden Eagles workout in NCAA mandated shorts and helmets and a lot was thrown at the team during its first practice session.
"We had a lot of energy on day one, which everybody across the country is going to say," said Hall. "You could see, though, the depth in our program in the way we practiced. We were a lot better last year than we were in year one and we've taken another step here going into year three."
The Golden Eagles open the 2023 season at home, Saturday, Sept. 2, against Alcorn State. Tickets are still available for the six home games this fall. Fans can contact purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus 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
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Blake Anderson Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 15






