When the hints came that quarterback Billy Wiles could transfer from Southern Miss football

HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss football held its 15th and final spring practice on Thursday. Coach Will Hall has not yet named a starting quarterback.

But the quarterback battle took a turn Friday when Billy Wiles entered the transfer portal as a graduate student.

There were clues this week that Wiles, who started 10 games in 2023, could do so.

The Golden Eagles held their spring game on Saturday, and all four of the quarterbacks split reps evenly. On Tuesday, Southern Miss’ next practice, the hints began to drop.

The practice was toned down, with more drills and less scrimmaging. Afterward, Hall was asked about his analysis of the spring game since he was able to view the film. He specifically mentioned that he liked what he saw from Tate Rodemaker, Ethan Crawford and John White — three of Wiles’ competitors for the starting quarterback job. But Hall did not say anything about Wiles.

“I thought our quarterbacks did a lot of good things,” he said. “Particularly, Tate, Ethan and John I thought played really well. They did a lot of good things, which is good to see. We’re progressing right there.”

Southern Miss’ practice Thursday again was toned down. The Golden Eagles did a few 11-on-11 plays, but Crawford — for unknown reasons — was the only quarterback to take snaps. In drills where wide receivers ran routes against defensive backs, the other quarterbacks jumped in, but Wiles didn’t.

In an interview on the “SportsTalk Mississippi” radio show later that day, Hall alluded to the notion that a quarterback could enter the transfer portal.

“I don’t think we’re at the point where we’re ready to name a starter,” he said. “I think there’s been some separation, if you will, from a few at the top to a few below, and that will kind of shake out over the next few days probably as the portal…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hints-came-quarterback-billy-wiles-214533718.html

Author : Hattiesburg American

Publish date : 2024-04-12 21:45:33

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