Southern Miss Football: Golden Eagles to remain steady in 2018

Defense

The Golden Eagles finished  2017 with the 31st ranked defense per the S&P+ and really only looked outmatched against North Texas and Florida State. However, USM loses three starting defensive linemen from a great unit.

The three departed players took 20 tackles for loss with them, still the Eagles return playmakers in LaDarius Harris and Jacques Turner. Harris and Turner combined for 13 tackles for loss and five sacks in limited duty a year ago. The defensive tackle position is depleted but three-star JUCO transfer Von’Darius Freeman is on campus and weighs well over 300 pounds.

Jeremy Sangster is the middle linebacker and leader of the USM defense. Sangster made plays in 2017 logging 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. He’s joined by Paxton Schrimsher and Racheem Boothe. Schrimsher made 49 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks and Boothe was everywhere in 2017 making 79 tackles with nine tackles for loss and three sacks.

The back five

Along with defensive tackle, the five defensive backs that will start in 2017 is another question. JUCO transfers, freshman, and players coming back from injury will make a hodge-podge unit in the back of the defense along with returning backups. Rachaun Mitchell is the most experienced cornerback as he had 20 tackles and a pass defense last season. He’s joined by WyDale Flott who played sparingly. Picasso Nelson Jr returns from injury. JUCO cornerback Ty Williams is already on campus and was rated a three-star by 247 sports.