Will Southern Miss football soar under first-year head coach Will Hall?
By Phil Poling
Gore Jr. and Lowe lead Eagles’ offense
Along with their new head coach Will Hall, Southern Miss will start a new quarterback this fall in Trey Lowe. The West Virginia transfer started three games in 2020, but threw for 100 yards (0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions), 67 yards, and 209 yards (2 touchdowns, 1 interception) in each contest; he combined for 104 rushing yards as well.
Hall’s spread-option offense should help Lowe, who’s an incredibly talented runner, but his backfield running mate, Frank Gore Jr., should make things easier, too. He became the feature back after a few games last season, but Gore Jr. still split carries. He’ll garner most of the ground touches in 2021, along with Lowe and JUCO transfer Dajon Richard, so don’t be surprised when Gore improves on his 708 rushing total from 2020.
The wide receivers are a veteran group, with JUCO transfers Jason Brownlee, Demarcus Jones, and Antoine Robinson all back for another campaign with the program. That trio combined for 86 receptions, 1,096 receiving yards, and six touchdowns last year while playing with three different quarterbacks. Add tight ends Grayson Gunter and Naricuss Driver, and the Golden Eagles’ offense could soar in 2021.
Don’t expect the offensive line to weigh the Eagles down, either. They bring back four starters, including four-year mainstay Alvin Fletcher. In addition to his experience, eight other Eagles return with starts under their belts along the offensive line. The skill-position players are talented, but it’s this unit that will pace the Eagles.