USM hopes for recruiting windfall

"It's a big weekend," Bower said. "It's going to be busy, but that's the way you want it."

And the extra work offers potentially great rewards. Coaches have been able to work USM's younger players in practice, giving them the attention they haven't seen since two-a-days. Perhaps just as importantly, the recruits that have visited the past two weekends have been able to observe the Golden Eagles in action.

"It's huge," said John Miller, assistant athletic director/football operations. "We're the only school in the state still playing. That just boosts the morale when (recruits) get on campus."

USM originally had 17 players scheduled for visits, but five had to be rescheduled.

Of the dozen who arrived on campus Friday, six were among Mississippi's more highly-sought prospects, including Lumberton running back Terry Grant, Morton cornerback Shay Hodge, Hattiesburg defensive end Milton Talbert, Oak Grove receiver Torris Magee, Gautier tight end Jonathan Massey and Philadelphia defensive lineman Anthony Gray. Grant was named Mississippi's Mr. Football today, while Hodge, Talbert, Magee and Gray were All-State selections by The Clarion-Ledger.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.d...80362/1097