Offensive line rebuild will be crucial to success on the gridiron in 2025

There is no question that under the Hall regime the offensive line was the defining weakness of Southern Miss. For whatever reason the previous staff could not develop that position. Huff and his staff have come in and done everything possible to bolster the OL heading into the 2025 season.

It all started with evaluation. Only three offensive linemen were kept from the 2024 squad. Does it mean these players were not good? No. It meant that many of those OL did not fit the system of what Hall and OC Blake Anderson wants to do. It should also be noted that development was an issue and the OL position and at the group of six level it is a pure developmental position. It is very difficult to find portal OL at the G-6 level. Yet, Huff and staff did a fantastic job of finding pieces at all college football levels that give the Golden Eagles a chance to be better than they have been in many seasons.

Nutrition has been a huge issue that really hampered the development of the Golden Eagles, especially at the OL position. Huff and staff have fixed that as well. Players are now getting two meals from the “player’s table” every day in the offseason and will have three meals available once practice starts. Being able to measure and limit the intake of athletes is huge. In the past, USM has sent the football team to “The Fresh” for the all-you-can-eat buffet but had no real way of measuring what they actually ate. Add a new and improved nutrition bar/snack area and the Golden Eagles now have the tools needed to maintain weight, muscle, and strength. Not to mention this will help decrease the number of injuries throughout the season.

These steps alone give promise to what could be, but it still has to translate into success on the field. Yet, for the first time in years, the Golden Eagles are getting the resources they deserve and need. Now development on the field must happen.