Southern Miss signs 23 football players Wednesday

From the University of Southern Mississippi Sports Information Department

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The University of Southern Mississippi spread the wealth when it came to the opening day of the early signing period Wednesday

The Golden Eagles signed 23 players to its Class of 2023, including four recruits for the offensive line, quarterback and linebacker positions.

Eight of the 23 arrived via transfer, including former University of Mississippi defensive back M.J. Daniels, of George County High School, and Mississippi State University offensive lineman Gabe Cavazo Jr., of Lake Cormorant High School.

USM showed once again it wasn’t shy about taking a shovelful of players from one school.

Last year, it was Jones College. This year, the Golden Eagles grabbed three Copiah-Lincoln Community College standouts, including:

Ja’Len Sims, Linebacker: Spent three seasons at the University of Memphis out of Birmingham (Ala.) Fultondale High School; one year at Co-Lin CC

Ques McNeal, Defensive Back: Played two seasons at Co-Lin CC after prepping at Choctaw Central High School

Tyquan Henderson, Wide Receiver: Played one season for the Wolves after starring at Canton High School.

USM also plucked a pair of Pine Belt standouts, including Oak Grove High School running back J.Q. Gray and West Jones wide receiver Matt Nixon.

For bios of Wednesday’s signees, click here.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	School(s)	Hometown
Ryder Burns	Long snapper	6-1	185	Lake Cormorant HS	Lake Cormorant
J.J. Butler	Wide receiver	6-5	207	Scott Central HS	Forest
Koibe Cage	Linebacker	6-1	205	U. of Arizona/Holy Cross HS	New Orleans
Gabe Cavazo Jr.	Offensive lineman	6-4	285	Mississippi St./Lake Cormorant HS	Lake Cormorant
Elijah Crawford	Quarterback	6-0	195	Hillcrest HS	Tuscaloosa, Ala.
M .J. Daniels	Defensive back	6-1	210	Ole Miss/George County HS	Lucedale
Elijah Douglas	Defensive lineman	6-3	280	Pine Forest HS	Pensacola, Fla.
Holman Edwards	Quarterback	6-3	210	U. of Houston/French Camp HS	French Camp
Connor Gibbs	Placekicker	5-10	175	Metairie Park Country Day School	Metairie, La.
Austin Gonzalez	Quarterback/Athlete	5-11	175	Lovejoy HS	Plano, Texas
J. Q. Gray	Running back	5-9	160	Oak Grove HS	Hattiesburg
Chris Hayes	Offensive lineman	6-3	260	Starkville HS	Starkville
Tyquan Henderson	Wide Receiver	6-3	200	Copiah-Lincoln CC/Canton HS	Canton
Tre’Mon Henry	Linebacker	6-2	225	Carver HS	Columbus, Ga.
Jacob Johnson	Linebacker	6-2	200	St. Paul’s HS	Covington, La.
Ques McNeal	Defensive Back	5-11	185	Copiah-Lincoln CC/Choctaw Central HS	Ackerman
Matt Nixon	Wide receiver	6-2	185	West Jones HS	Merry Hell
Exavious Reed	Tight end	6-4	200	Callaway HS	LaGrange, Ga.
Luke Rogers	Offensive lineman	6-4	295	Brandon HS	Brandon
Ja’Len Sims	Linebacker	6-2	202	Copiah-Lincoln CC/U. of Memphis/Fultondale HS	Birmingham, Ala.
Eric Thomas Jr.	Defensive lineman	6-3	253	U. of Arkansas./Booker T. Washington HS	Pensacola, Fla.
Tanner Welch	Offensive lineman	6-7	320	Northwest Rankin HS	Brandon
Billy Wiles	Quarterback	6-3	220	Clemson U./Stone Bridge HS	Auburn, Va.