The Southern Miss football team commenced its 2026 spring practice under new head coach Blake Anderson, who celebrated his birthday on the first day. The team engaged in individual drills followed by team periods, focusing on rebuilding with a largely inexperienced roster. Anderson appreciated the team's energy despite the spring break fatigue and acknowledged the challenge of evaluating a mostly new lineup as they lost significant production from last season. The squad is gearing up for a Spring Showcase on April 18 ahead of the season opener on September 5 against Alcorn State.

By the Numbers
  • 99% of the roster is new, lacking many returning players from the previous season.
  • The Spring Showcase is scheduled for April 18, leading to the season opener on September 5.
State of Play
  • Blake Anderson is evaluating a nearly entirely new roster.
  • The team showed positive energy and effort during the first practice.
What's Next

Southern Miss will continue its practice sessions leading up to the Spring Showcase, allowing Anderson to assess player development and team dynamics throughout the spring.

Bottom Line

As the Golden Eagles embark on a rebuilding phase, the success of the spring practices will be pivotal in shaping their strategy for the upcoming 2026 season.