University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Preseason Preparation Continued Wednesday
8/12/2026 5:05:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss football team returned to the practice fields Wednesday morning under hot, sunny conditions for the third day this week.
The squad, which worked in full pads for just under two hours at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility, put in some live scrimmage work and the Golden Eagle defense made some nice stops during those periods.
With no starters returning this fall on defense, the Golden Eagle coaching staff had to work hard during the offseason to replenish their roster for the upcoming year, which includes 74 newcomers.
Even after all the additions that were made for practice last spring for first-year coach Blake Anderson, the Golden Eagles continued to add to their roster to get the squad ready for the 2026 season.
Following practice on Wednesday, defensive coordinator Joe Bolden addressed the media and bragged on three players that were added to the team following spring drills, all linebackers, as he had to travel to Kansas and Utah to secure them for his linebacker room.
Those players include Tyler Lassiter (Raleigh, N.C.) from Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College, Wesley Edison (Lawrence, Kan.) from Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College and Marrio Williams, Jr. (Reno, Nev.) from Snow College in Utah, all of which have enjoyed solid camps thus far.
"Those three guys are, No. 1, phenomenal human beings," said Bolden. "And, No. 2, are great additions as football players to that (linebacker) room."
And they will be names to watch this fall when the Golden Eagles take the field to face Alcorn State in the season opener, Saturday, Sept. 5, at home at 4 p.m.
After an off day on Thursday, the Golden Eagles will return to the practice field on Friday prior to Saturday's first official scrimmage Saturday.
Tickets for the season opener, as well as the other five Golden Eagle home contests, in the forms of season, flex plans, as well as single game ticket options, can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
The squad, which worked in full pads for just under two hours at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility, put in some live scrimmage work and the Golden Eagle defense made some nice stops during those periods.
With no starters returning this fall on defense, the Golden Eagle coaching staff had to work hard during the offseason to replenish their roster for the upcoming year, which includes 74 newcomers.
Even after all the additions that were made for practice last spring for first-year coach Blake Anderson, the Golden Eagles continued to add to their roster to get the squad ready for the 2026 season.
Following practice on Wednesday, defensive coordinator Joe Bolden addressed the media and bragged on three players that were added to the team following spring drills, all linebackers, as he had to travel to Kansas and Utah to secure them for his linebacker room.
Those players include Tyler Lassiter (Raleigh, N.C.) from Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College, Wesley Edison (Lawrence, Kan.) from Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College and Marrio Williams, Jr. (Reno, Nev.) from Snow College in Utah, all of which have enjoyed solid camps thus far.
"Those three guys are, No. 1, phenomenal human beings," said Bolden. "And, No. 2, are great additions as football players to that (linebacker) room."
And they will be names to watch this fall when the Golden Eagles take the field to face Alcorn State in the season opener, Saturday, Sept. 5, at home at 4 p.m.
After an off day on Thursday, the Golden Eagles will return to the practice field on Friday prior to Saturday's first official scrimmage Saturday.
Tickets for the season opener, as well as the other five Golden Eagle home contests, in the forms of season, flex plans, as well as single game ticket options, can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, February 04
Wednesday, February 04
Monday, January 19