Defensive Depth Chart Analysis
The Southern Miss defensive depth chart was shaken up this past week when it was learned that starting defensive tackle Draper Riley would be on the shelf for a few weeks.
On Monday an official two-deep, depth chart was released and there were a few items of interest. We break down the two deep and explain what it means and what you should expect on Saturday when the Eagles take on Kentucky.
Breaking Down the Defense:
Expect Southern Miss to show multiple fronts this year but they will base mostly out of the 4-2-5 look that was released on Monday.
Let's get right to the intrigue. Southern Miss has big shoes to fill without 6-foot-4, 305-pound Riley in the middle of the line.
Preseason All Conference selection Dylan Bradley is still in the middle anchoring things for the Eagles. He's a proven commodity and the Eagles best overall defensive lineman. The depth chart lists true sophomore Ladarrius "Noochie" Harris as his back-up at the nose tackle position.
With Riley out converted senior end Jerry McCorvy moves up and will be counted on to a bigger extent. He'll be backed up by rJr. Rod Crayton. Crayton, at around 300-pounds, will help provide some beef in the middle.
Don't be shocked if you see Bradley and Harris in the game together as Bradley can literally play all four defensive line positions.
The Eagles also need younger players like Juauan Collins to step up and add some needed depth. The staff would like nothing more than to keep the redshirt on true freshman Demarrio Smith but he may be called into service.
The shake-up on the interior also forced some changes on the ends.
The defensive end position will be maned by Xavier "Paw Paw" Thigpen, he'll be spelled by Derrick Dixon who made a big push late in camp.
The WOLF position looks solid with Darian Yancey and Jaboree Poole rotating. Poole also played snaps during camp at the DE position.
The linebacker corp is as deep as any time in recent memory and they're lead by a good one in Elijah Parker.
Parker returns as the starting Sam Linebacker. Alongside him at the Mike Linebacker is another senior C.J. Perry. Parker is backed up by talented junior Sherrod Ruff while Perry will be spelled by rSo. Jeremy Sangster.
They've got plenty of quality depth behind those four including a pair of rFr in Paxton Schrimpshire and Isaiah Spencer.
The rover position is a flashback to the Larry Fedora Era where the position was first utilized at Southern Miss. The Eagles have more of a 1A and 1B than a 1st and 2nd string here Devonta Foster and Deshadrick Truly are pretty interchangeable and both should get the job done.
The free safety position is a strength for the Eagles with D'Nerius Antoine taking over after playing an outside linebacker for the Eagles a year ago. A vicious hitter with a nose for the ball playing in space is where Antoine can excell. He'll be spelled by Tavarious Moore who may be the fastest player on the Eagle defense.
There was a small surprise at the cornerback position. Not so much the starters but the second string players.
Cornell Armstrong is your starter at the field corner position while Trae Collins earned the nod at the boundary corner position.
As expected Curtis Mikell was named the second string at boundary behind Collins. But, in a bit of a surprise Louisville transfer Devontre Parnell beat out Jomez Applewhite for the number two spot at field corner. Expect Applewhite and freshman Demetrius Market to add quality depth to the position.
The Nickle position is a natural for Picasso Nelson, Jr. and he laid claim to it as soon is it was installed in the Southern Miss defense. He'll be backed up by Justin Abston. Also Applewhite could lend depth here as well.
Many of the second and third team players we highlighted here will be your starting special teams players.
Offensive Depth Chart Analysis
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