Three Southern Miss football players whose stock rose during spring practices
HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss football offers unique access for reporters to observe full practices all year long. Many other schools don’t allow media members to report, or even view, what goes on during practice.
That creates a lot of transparency and analysis that isn’t just filtered press conferences with coaches and players.
The Golden Eagles concluded spring football on April 6, meaning now is a good time to look at three players who stood out.
RB Jalen Washington
Washington was one of seven freshmen from Southern Miss’ top recruiting class to enroll early. Of those seven, Washington is probably the most likely to see playing time in 2024.
He received a lot of the carries during 11-on-11 scrimmages through the spring and broke a long run or scored a touchdown more frequently than anybody else. Although, some of those highlight plays came against second or third-string players.
“He’s extremely consistent,” offensive coordinator Chip Long said. “You can’t find a better person than him. He’s the same guy every day, which in my opinion is the best compliment a coach can give somebody. I’m really proud of him and really excited for his future.”
Of course, Southern Miss is looking for ways to replace the production running back Frank Gore Jr. had for the last four seasons. Dreke Clark, after being second on the team in rushing and averaging 5.6 yards per carry, is likely Southern Miss’ lead back. It also has redshirt sophomore Kenyon Clay, who played more at the end of last season, and redshirt freshman J.Q. Gray.
Washington, a 5-foot-8, 195-pound running back from Houston, Mississippi, looks ready to compete right away.
WR J.J. Butler
Southern Miss is in need of a wide receiver to step up after losing most of its production. J.J. Butler could be the option.
The sophomore appeared to have a nice connection with the quarterbacks as he used his 6-5 frame to win battles deep and on the outside.
Butler was a lightly recruited three-star prospect from Forest, Mississippi, and Scott Central High School. He didn’t enroll at Southern Miss until last summer, but still played in six games last season to burn his redshirt.
“He’s getting open and he’s catching the ball,” coach Will Hall said. “The next step is YAC. Catch it, get north and south, don’t fall down and do those things. He’s also bringing special teams value which he did last year.”
With Ti Mims manning down the slot, the development of Butler could add a new element to the offense.
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LB Tre Pinkney
Southern Miss’ defense has turnover at linebacker after Hayes Maples and Swayze Bozeman graduated.
In came Tre Pinkney (Coastal Carolina) and Desmyn Baker (Western Kentucky) from the transfer portal. Baker was limited throughout the spring with an injury, but Pinkney looks like he could be a starter.
He began his career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas before moving to Coastal Carolina. Pinkney made 50 tackles in 2022 with two interceptions, but then seldomly played in 2023.
He made an acrobatic interception in the spring game.
“I thought both of our inside linebackers, Pinkney and Ja’Len (Sims) were awesome all spring,” said defensive coordinator ClayBignell. “There’s a lot on the linebackers and they did a great job all spring.”
Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: 3 Southern Miss football players who impressed during spring practices
