University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practices in Shoulder Pads for First Time Friday Morning
8/4/2023 2:35:00 PM | Football
Despite no tackling taking place, it allowed for coaches to get an idea of how the student-athletes play with shoulders pads on as to wearing only a helmet. Head coach Will Hall also noticed a difference in year three with guys staying on their feet during drills.
"There was a lot of hitting and a lot of good-on-good going around," said Hall. "The thing that is really impressive when you watch us is we don't go to the ground anymore. Good football players don't go to the ground. That's why when you go to an NFL practice nobody is ever on the ground because everybody in the NFL is a really good football player. You never see anyone on the ground at our practice if it isn't a live tackle period.
"That is probably the biggest indicator of how far we have come as a roster. Our first year here it looked like a travesty every time we snapped the ball. There were bodies everywhere -- I felt like we were singing 'let the bodies hit the floor' every time we snapped the ball."
On Thursday night, former Golden Eagle Jason Brownlee made his NFL debut with the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame Game. The West Point native finished with two catches for 17 years, but it also gave Hall an opportunity to talk about the next group of wide receivers in the pipeline. The first being Latreal Jones, a senior out of Pearl River Community College. Jones finished his junior campaign with 10 catches for 124 yards, but Hall is not worried about his production this season.
"He's probably the most unsung guy on our team from a standpoint of winning his one-one-one's last season," said Hall. "We just didn't get him the ball, but we're getting it to him this year. He's a Southern Miss, Taylorsville, Miss. guy that works hard. He cares and I believe with all my heart that when you live your life like he does, eventually you get to reap the reward."
Another wideout that Hall and the staff have spoken highly of is Hattiesburg native Brandon Hayes. Hayes appeared in the season opener against Liberty last season before suffering a season-ending injury.
"It demoralized me a little while -- I ain't going to lie to you," said Hall. "He's one of those guys that no one talks about that we lost last year and it's kind of funny because he is a dynamic player. He's probably the fastest player on our team. Y'all remember he had that really good catch versus Liberty down the sideline in the one-on-one situation. He was on his way to having a great year when that injury happened.
"Brandon's been through a lot, and I could get emotional talking about him. His story is special with what he's had to go through from youth all the way to here. He's taken on this culture, and he's really grown. He's a winner, man. If anybody deserves to have a great season, it's him."
The Golden Eagles continue Fall Camp on Saturday morning before enjoying an off day on Sunday.
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 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.
