TEAM PREVIEW SOUTHERN MISS
GOLDEN EAGLES IMPACT PLAYER COACH: JAY HOPSON
Dylan Bradley
2015 RECORD: 9-5(7-1)
DL
2016 SCHEDULE 09/03 09/10 7 09/1 09/24 10/01 10/08 10/15 10/29 11/05 11/12 11/19 11/26
Bradley, who starred for Noxubee County at the prep level, is entering his final season in Hattiesburg with a statement to make. He could be the next Golden Eagle prospect to pop up on NFL radars and carve out a successful pro career. First, though, he is set to led the Southern Miss defense this fall. Last season he tallied 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two pass deflections. If he makes a jump in production and propels the defensive unit, it could mean a Conference USA title and potentially more for the Golden Eagles in 2016.
@ KENTUCKY VS SAVANNAH STATE VS TROY @ UTEP VS RICE @ UTSA @ LSU VS MARSHALL VS CHARLOTTE @ OLD DOMINION @ NORTH TEXAS VS LA TECH
NOTES
DJ Thompson, Pearl MS
Nick Mullens is the top returning quarterback in Conference USA. He finished second in the league in passing yards per game with 319.7. The leading rusher for the Golden Eagles in 2015 was Ito Smith. He returns after rushing for 1,128 yard, on 6.6 yards per carry, and 10 touchdowns. DJ Thompson and incoming junior college prospects will be counted on the get open for Mullens this seaon. Thompson appears to be on the verge of making a run at all-conference honors. Dylan Bradley will lead the defense in 2016. The unit could well hold the fate of the team in their hands. They must stop other teams at some point, even though their offense is high powered. Their play this season could very determine the grade for new head coach Jay Hopson in year one.
140 | SES The Magazine
TOP NEWCOMER Lorenzo Dantzler DL, Starkville, MS
Dantzler was a big factor in the Yellowjackets title run in 2015. He was a terror alongside Mississippi State signee Kobe Jones. Dantzler appears to be closer of the two Starkville high products to getting on the field in college. His 6’2 240-pound frame and quickness off the edge could be a big boost to the defense this season. Getting after the quarterback should be name of the game for the Golden Eagles this season.
39.9 points per game was good enough to put USM at second best in Conference USA in scoring offense.
25.6
points per game allowed made the Golden Eagles the second best in C-USA in scoring defense.
179.8
rushing yards per game in 2015 made Southern Miss the top rushing offense in the conference.