Some may despise the transfer portal and NIL, but it has helped USM to a 5-2 start this season.
When the NCAA adopted the new transfer portal and allowed for players to be paid for their name image and likeness, I like many others thought that this would be a death nail to the universities in the “group of six.” I am happy to say that I was wrong. What it has done is allowed for programs who have the support and fanbase to help supply the collectives turn their respective programs around quickly. Before Head Coach Charles Huff was hired at Southern Miss the “powers that be” had already recognized that the next HC would need to have a so-called “war chest” to help bring transfers in and had the foresight to set it up. The To The Top Collective has been instrumental in changing the fortunes of Southern Miss Football and other sports.
Coach Huff’s first decision, when it came to building his team was at quarterback. He just happened to have a good one at Marshall who wanted to make the journey with him to Hattiesburg. Sure, he wanted some NIL funds and he has earned every penny so far. Then twenty other players came from Marshall. Josh Moten was a lock-down corner who could have went to a “power-4” school, but the collective was able to be aggressive and also due to his relationship with Huff, was able to get him to Hattiesburg. That’s when the turnaround started.
I am so sick of hearing about how Southern Miss is “Southern Marshall” or the “Southern Miss Golden Herd.” There were over 70 new players that joined this program with only about ten left from the 2024 Golden Eagles. The 2025 Golden Eagles are now 5-2 and 3-0 in SBC play. It seems that some commentators or fans are a little jealous that Southern Miss took advantage of the rules in place and have shaken up the SBC. It was in clear view yesterday as the Golden Eagles beat division rival and 2024 SBC West Champion UL 22-10. Curt Cignetti took a bunch of players with him from JMU to Indiana last season. I don’t recall anyone calling them the Indiana Dukes. Until rules change, this is the new way teams are built. This is the new era of college football, and to win, a coach like Charles Huff and a solid monetary foundation for NIL is a must to compete.
We don’t know what the rest of the season will look like. The only way to judge is by past actions. The past actions of this team makes fans believe that fun things are ahead in the second half of the season. While it was fun watching and celebrating USM beating Louisiana, another foe awaits in ULM. The Warhawks would like nothing better better than to beat the Golden Eagles at The Rock on Homecoming. No reason not to pack M.M. Roberts Stadium Saturday. This team and staff deserve it.
