HATTIESBURG — The Southern Miss football defense has been dealt a significant blow, losing linebacker Hayes Maples for the long-term, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to the Hattiesburg American.
Maples suffered a lower extremity injury last week, and will more than likely be out for the season according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The news was first reported by Big Gold Nation.
Maples was a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 2020 and 2021 and appeared on the conference's All-Freshman team in 2019.
The Oak Grove product was second among Golden Eagles defenders last season with 60 tackles, and tied for fifth with 4.