One of Southern Miss’ most pressing needs during this recruiting cycle was offensive tackle.
In early January, the Golden Eagles landed a verbal commitment from one of its top targets at that position, 6-foot-5, 310-pound Wyatt Richthofen.
But anytime there’s turnover on a coaching staff, there’s a heightened risk of alienating prospective players. When Todd Monken resigned a week ago and former Alcorn State head coach Jay Hopson was hired late Saturday, some wondered whether the change would affect the class of recruits the Southern Miss coaching staff has spent the past several months assembling.
For two current verbal pledges, the program’s new leadership is a vast silver lining for what could’ve been a major dark cloud.