Three Southern Miss football players were named to Athlon Sports preseason All-League teams.
Fifth year senior and linebacker Alan Howze received second-team honors followed by juniors Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jalen Richard with third-team recognition.
Due to a foot injury, Howze missed the final eight games of the 2013 season. However, through 41 games, the Ocean Springs, Miss., native has recorded 128 career tackles with 55 being solo, nearly nine tackles for a loss, three fumble recovers, two forced fumbles, blocked kick an almost three and half sacks.
Like Howze, Nunez-Roches suffered a foot injury, causing him to miss the final 10 games last season. However, he has produced noteworthy stats, tallying 47 career tackles with 25 solo, eight tackles for a loss, one sack, a forced fumble and one block through 20 games of his Southern Miss career.
Although at running back, Athlon Sports named Richard with third-team honors for his punt return abilities, recording four returns for 67 yards last season. He leads the team in rushing, tallying 324 yards on 85 rushes for an average of nearly four yards a carry.
The Alexandria, La., native also recorded 21 catches for 168 yards and one touchdown.
The Golden Eagles begin the 2014 football season on the road Saturday August 30th , taking on Mississippi State University. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. from Starkville, Miss.
