Golden Eagles Linebacking duo looks to lead the 2025 Nasty Bunch
With preparation underway for the 2025 season, there is a sense of optimism in Hattiesburg. There are so many new faces in the Golden Eagles locker room it may take a few weeks for fans to get adjusted to all the new names. Coach Huff and staff have really done a good job of building a new team while also bringing all these new personalities together. Nowhere is it more obvious than at linebacker. A position that looks to be anchored by a returning Golden Eagle and transfer. Two guys who have had different journeys to Southern Miss.
Chris Jones has done everything Coach Huff and staff have asked him to do this past offseason. It was no accident that Jones was chosen, along with QB Braylon Braxton, to represent the black and goal at SBC Media Days. The 6’0″ 230 lbs. Jones was a highly sought after recruit out of Hartfield Academy in Jackson. He played both sides of the ball but it was obvious he would be a LB in college. As a freshman he had 46 tackles and a sack. Those are really good numbers for a freshman, but it’s even more impressive considering he missed the last 3 games. A weak-side backer in Coach Semore’s 4-2-5 scheme should be a perfect fit for Jones and will allow his natural abilities to shine. The Nast Bunch has had some outstanding linebackers of past years, and Jones may be the next on a list of great Golden Eagle linebackers.
Michael Montgomery is a name Golden Eagle fans will hear quite often. His journey to Southern Miss is one that will only make an athelte stronger mentally and physically. Montgomery was highly sought after while in high school. Current DC Jason Semore recruited Montgomery when he was on the staff at Georgia Tech. Michael was also recruited by Washington, Arkansas, and South Carolina. As a senior Michael suffered a leg injury that led him to FCS Portland State and he went to work. In two season he accounted for 149 total tackles and 2 sacks. Those are eye-popping tackling numbers no matter what level. Coach Semore and Montgomery kept a solid relationship going and when Huff tabbed Semore to be the DC, Montgomery transferred to Southern Miss. Micheal remind me of a Rod Davis or Micheal Boley. He is a bit bigger than both and is listed at 6’4″ 250 lbs. Montgomery has all the tools to play at the next level. He has size, speed, and is a tackling machine at MLB, but is also really solid in pass defense.
Although different roads were taken to Southern Miss, talent always will find a way to shine. It is still way too early to tell, but the potential is there for this to be one of the best linebacking duos to take the field for the Golden Eagles in years. We will begin to find out in less than two weeks when Mississippi State travels down to Hattiesburg.
