Three takeaways from Southern Miss football's first depth chart of the season

The first Southern Miss football depth chart of the season came out Wednesday ahead of the Golden Eagles' season opener against Liberty on Saturday.

Here are three takeaways from the depth chart.

No clarity on the defensive line

Coach Will Hall and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong are keeping the competition open for the three starting spots on the defensive line.

All three of those positions were given OR designations as the Golden Eagles continue to work out their best options.

Kristin Booth, who enters his third season on campus, is still battling it out with junior college transfer Brodarius Lewis at the first defensive end spot.

Similarly, Josh Ratcliff, who started five games for the Golden Eagles last season, is still deadlocked with Jones College transfer Jalen Williams at the nose tackle spot.

At the other defensive end position, SEC transfers Armondous Cooley and Quentin Bivens will take their competition into the season as well.

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Wilcke and Lowe neck-and-neck for backup QB spot

True freshman Zach Wilcke and veteran quarterback Trey Lowe both received playing time with the second team throughout the preseason, and that will continue now that Week 1 has arrived.

The Golden Eagles have a steady option in Lowe, a veteran who started the season as the main man for Southern Miss in 2021.

Wilcke provides Hall and the offense with some serious upside off the bench. He's made flashy throws throughout the preseason and has impressed with his athleticism as well, but is still learning how to play the position at the college level.

Should the Golden Eagles need to call on their backup quarterback, who takes the ball may be dictated by the game situation.

Southern Miss rolls with returners on the offensive line

It has been apparent for most of the spring that the Golden Eagles were going to rely on the same offensive linemen who struggled last season, relying on increased structure from new position coach Sam Gregg and an extra year of experience to make the difference.

That notion was set in stone by the first depth chart. Every starting offensive lineman played at least 300 snaps for the Golden Eagles last year.

USM's two SEC transfer additions on the offensive line, Calvin McMillian and Bryce Ramsey, will act as the backups at left tackle and center, respectively.

Full Southern Miss depth chart

Offense

Quarterback:

1. Ty Keyes, R-Fr.

2. Trey Lowe III, R-Jr. OR Zach Wilcke, Fr

Running Back:

1. Frank Gore Jr., So.

2. Janari Dean, R-So. OR Dajon Richard, So.

Super Back:

1. Antavious Willis, R-So.

2. Chandler Pittman, So.

Wide receiver (X)

1. Jason Brownlee, Sr.

2. Jalen May, R-So., OR Davis Dalton, Fr.

Wide Receiver (H)

1. Brandon Hayes, R-Fr.

2. Latreal Jones, Jr.

Wide Receiver (Z)

1. Jakarius Caston, Jr.

2. Brad Dennis, R-Sr., OR Tiaquelin Mims, Fr.

Tight End

1. Cole Cavallo, R-Jr.

2. Ray Ladner, R-Sr., OR Luke Baker, R-So.

Left Tackle

1. Tykeem Doss, Sr.

2. Calvin McMillian, R-Fr.

Left Guard

1. Gerquan Scott, R-So.

2. Matt Ryals, R-So.

Center

1. Briason Mays, R-Jr.

2. Bryce Ramsey, R-So.

Right Guard

1. John Bolding, R-Jr.

2. Coker Wright, Jr.

Right Tackle

1. Paul Gainer Jr., R-Sr.

2. Kyron Barnes, Fr.

Defense

Defensive End

1. Kristin Booth, So., OR Brodarius Lewis, So.

Defensive End

1. Armondous Cooley, R-Fr., OR Quentin Bivens, Jr.

Nose Tackle

1. Josh Ratcliff, Jr., OR Jalen Williams, Jr.

Jack

1. Averie Habas, Jr.

2. Jalil Clemons, R-So., OR Josh Carr Jr., Sr.

Linebacker

1. Daylen Gill, Sr.

2. TQ Newsome, R-So.

Linebacker

1. Swayze Bozeman, R-Sr.

2. Santrell Latham, R-Sr.

Star

1. Tylan Knight, Sr., OR Camron Harrell, Sr.

Corner

1. Eric Scott Jr., Sr.

2. Brendan Toles, So.

Corner:

1. Natrone Brooks, R-Jr.

2. Michael Caraway Jr., So., OR Markel McLaurin, Jr.

Safety

1. Jay Stanley, Jr.

2. Lakevias Daniel, Sr., OR JD Rutherford, R-Jr.

Safety

1. Malik Shorts, R-Jr.

2. Jay Jones, So.

Special Teams

Kickoff Specialist

1. Briggs Bourgeois, R-Sr.

2. Andrew Stein, R-So.

Place Kicker

1. Briggs Bourgeois, R-Sr.

2. Jack Tannehill, R-Fr.

Punter

1. Mason Hunt, R-Sr.

2. Bryce Lofton, So.

Longsnapper

1. TJ Harvey, R-Jr.

2. Tanner Hatten, So.

Holder

1. Jake Lange, So.

2. Trey Hebert, R-Fr.

Kick Returner

1. Camron Harrell, Sr.

2. Brandon Hayes, F-Fr.

Punt Returner

1. Natrone Brooks, Sr.

2. Jakarius Caston, Jr.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Southern Miss football releases first depth chart of the season