Sun Belt · 2026

Southern Miss

2025 record 7–6 5–3 conference
Postseason New Orleans Bowl L 16–27 vs Western Kentucky
Head coach Blake Anderson Year 1
Scheme Multiple / 4-2-5
Conference
C−

New Orleans Bowl loss, Anderson Y1, longest mid-board shot among 7-win teams (+3000) / O3.5; undercuts the portal volume

Portal
B

Portal #5 (volume) without a matching overall recruiting lift

Depth
C−

Braxton / Metcalf / Pittman / Moten are real on a portal-heavy depth chart; Jones / Tapp exits are continuity risks

Market odds

To Win Sun Belt
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 3.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #10 63 commits · 186.34 pts
Portal #5 38 commits· avg 83.68

Roster notes

Leading story

Anderson Y1 keeps Braylon Braxton at QB1 on a portal-heavy depth chart — Portal #5 vs overall #10

Offense

Jeffery Pittman at RB1; WR Carl Chester / Micah Davis / Elijah Metcalf; TE Kadinn Morris. OL: Blake Bustard / Greg Nunnery / Broderick Roman / Aloali’i Maui / RJ Whitehead

Defense

JJ Hawkins / Isaiah Gibson Sr. / Brodarius Lewis / Jameer Lewis; Mathis Haygood / Joseph Harper; Brendan Toles / Josh Moten / Josh Battle / Dominick Hill / MaLik Caswell

Key offense

  1. 01
    Braylon Braxton QB
    Returning
    • 2025: 254/400, 3,054 yds, 24 TD, 8 INT. Listed QB1
  2. 02
    Elijah Metcalf WR
    Returning
    • 2025: 54 receptions, 683 yds, 2 TD. Listed WR-SL
  3. 03
    Jeffery Pittman RB
    Returning
    • 2025: 156 carries, 705 yds, 8 rushing TD. Listed RB1

Key defense

  1. 01
    Josh Moten RCB
    Returning
    • 2025: 5 INT. Listed RCB1
  2. 02
    Joseph Harper MLB
    Returning
    • Listed MLB1
  3. 03
    Mathis Haygood WLB
    Returning
    • Listed WLB1
    • J’Mond Tapp’s 7.5 sacks led 2025