Southern Miss Football: 2024 Golden Eagles Season Preview and Prediction

This is a crucial year for Will Hall and the Golden Eagles. Consecutive losing seasons are highly uncommon in Hattiesburg, a city accustomed to bowl games. With two of his three seasons as head coach resulting in just three wins, Hall faces the challenging task of improving the team without the talent of Frank Gore Jr. in the backfield.

Southern Miss has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and hopes to avoid a depleted lineup this year. Injuries were a major factor in the Golden Eagles’ 1-7 start last season. They ranked outside the top 90 in most major FBS categories, including yards per game (353.3).

A key development in Southern Miss’ offseason was the signing of Florida State quarterback Tate Rodemaker. Rodemaker drew attention at FSU last season with his first start in three years, leading to a 24-15 victory over archrival Florida. The 6-foot-4 Valdosta, Georgia native is the frontrunner for the starting job in Hattiesburg, having thrown for 510 yards and five touchdowns in limited action for the Seminoles.

Running back Rodrigues Clark is also expected to be a key player. Clark transferred from Memphis before last season but shared carries with Frank Gore Jr., who is now pursuing a professional career. With a healthy Clark, the Eagles have their featured back, who will run behind an almost entirely rebuilt offensive line.

Previewing Southern Miss’ Defense for 2024

Southern Miss allowed opponents to score 51 passing and rushing touchdowns last season, the most in the Sun Belt, and they also had the worst yards allowed per play in the conference at 6.7.

New defensive coordinator Clay Bignell, who spent the past two seasons at FCS Eastern Illinois, is tasked with improving the defense this season.

Several impact transfers will play crucial roles in this effort. Safety Braxton Myers joins from Purdue, where he earned a 4-star rating in high school. Another notable addition is Tre Pinkney from Coastal Carolina, who recorded 50 tackles for the Chanticleers in 2022.

Previewing Southern Miss’ Specialists for 2024

The Golden Eagles would have benefited from a stronger kicking game in 2023. Returning placekicker Andrew Stein made 17 out of 23 field goal attempts. Punter Bryce Lofton is back after placing 13 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Return specialist Tiaquelin Mims returned a punt for a touchdown last season and might also handle kickoff returns in 2024.