Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Head Coach

Larry Fedora	1st year
07-08	7-6
C-USA	5-3
FCR	59

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Larry Fedora has been hired Jeff Bower as the new head man at So Miss, Fedora was the formerly the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma St and he’ll be introducing the Golden Eagles to the spread attack. Expectations are high in Hattiesburg, as former coach Bower had guided So Miss to bowls games ten of the last eleven seasons. Only 10 starters return but in Damion Fletcher the Eagles have one of the nations premier running backs, one thing is certain, they’ll be a new look at So Miss.

Quarterback - At quarterback sophomore Martevios Young returns, he saw action in two games last season and is locked in a battle for the starting job with redshirt freshman Austin Davis. Young has the stronger arm and Davis the more accurate one, both can run and that will be a must in the new spread attack. Coming out of spring it appears that Davis is the frontrunner but there will be competition through the fall camp for the starting spot.

Running Backs - In junior Damion Fletcher the Golden Eagles have one of the nations best backs, he rushed for 1,586 yards and 15 TD’s, while adding 47 receptions for 369 yards. He’s a workhorse who sees the holes quickly, he’ll prosper even more in the new offense and his outstanding performance this spring is an indication that he’s poised for a monster season. There won’t be many carries for reserves Bubba Kirkey, a junior and sophomore V.J. Floyd this season. True freshman Desmond Johnson might find his way onto the field; he’s a big-time home grown recruit.

Receivers - Two starters return on the outside for the Eagles, sophomore Torris Magee and junior Gerald Baptiste, Magee led the team with 44 catches for 632 yards and 3 TD’s while Baptiste added 28 for 283 and a score. The new flanker will be sophomore Johdrick Morris who has good size and speed and caught 10 passes for 98 yards in limited action last year. At tight end senior Shawn Nelson is a returning 1st team All-C-USA player, he had 33 receptions for 451 yards and five TD’s, in addition he an outstanding blocker. In reserve will be senior Ed Morgan and if he’s eligible freshman DeAndre Brown will add a game breaker to the attack.

Offensive Line - Upfront both tackles return in junior Calvin Wilson on the left side and senior Ryan McKee on the right, both are all conference caliber players with McKee being a premier pass protector and Wilson a force in the run game. All three interior spots must be replaced and starting at center will be sophomore Cameron Zipp, and at the guards will be juniors Ryan Hebert right and Wesley Housley on the left side. This a young unit and Fletcher will make them look good but they’ll need to show they can protect who’s ever at quarterback for So Miss to keep their bowl streak alive.

Defensive Line - No starters return upfront and this will be not only be an extremely young group but they don’t have much depth so injuries could be devastating. The only senior will be Eric Phillips at tackle, but he’ll be pushed JUCO Rolando Barragan. At nose tackle is sophomore Anthony Gray, big and strong; he’s impressed the coaching staff and has a big upside. Look for a pair of sophomores, David Boyce and Roshaad Byrd to start on the outside; they both possess the speed and explosiveness to be factors in the pass rush. A pair of redshirt freshman, Cordarro Law and Andrew Burns will be asked to add depth.

Linebackers - The linebackers are the strength of the defense with two starters returning led by junior Gerald McRath in the middle and senior Tokumbo Abankanda on the weakside. McRath was conference Defensive Player of the Year in 07’ and finished the season with 139 tackles and 4 ½ sacks while Abankanda had 58 tackles and excels against the pass. Junior Brandon Davis will be on the strongside; he’s undersized but plays with great intensity and will contribute.

Defensive Backs - The secondary is led by junior free safety Eddie Hicks and sophomore C.J. Bailey at one corner, Hicks had 84 tackles and 3 INT’s and Bailey was a Freshman All-American who’ll turn into a lockdown corner quickly. Senior Eddie Willngham will man the other corner with junior Machael McGee in a reserve role, sophomore Chico Hunter will be the new man at the strong safety spot following an outstanding spring.

Special Teams - Senior Britt Barefoot was 2ud team All-C-USA at punter last year, he averaged 42.5 yards with excellent hang time. Sophomore Justin Estes returns at place-kicker, he was 10 of 17 on his field goal attempts but could lose his job to the powerful leg of Barefoot. JUCO’s Freddie Parham and Bubba Kirksey will handle the kick returns and senior Ed Morgan the punt returns.

Schedule - Considering that So Miss is known as a school that will play anyone anywhere this is a relatively soft schedule that Fedora will face in his first campaign. At Auburn and Boise at home will be tough, but they avoid Tulsa and Houston and get East Carolina at home. The team will experience growing pains, look for the Golden Eagles to have an up and down season and end the year with 7+ wins.