Ti Mims and Jalil Clemons took different routes to Southern Miss, but they share a common experience.
Mims, a junior wide receiver, and Clemons, a graduate linebacker, both credited Joe Moreno, the Southern Miss director of player personnel, for their decision to join the Golden Eagles.
During a discussion at Sun Belt Media Days on Wednesday, Mims and Clemons highlighted Moreno’s significant influence in their recruitment. Moreno, who recently transitioned to a player personnel assistant role with the Baltimore Ravens, had been with Southern Miss since Coach Will Hall’s initial season in 2021. He played a key role in the team’s recruiting achievements, including signing the top Sun Belt class during the early signing period following last season’s 3-9 record.
Mims, who was recruited by Southern Miss out of high school, led the team in receptions last season as a sophomore.
“Me and Joe, we were like real close,” he said. “He would stop by and talk to me at practice every day. I appreciate him for real. … Every day (during recruitment) he was texting me that ‘we really want you here’ and stuff like that.”
Clemons, on the other hand, was acquired through the transfer portal. The Macon native came to Southern Miss in 2022 from Memphis and emphasized Moreno’s persistent efforts in pursuing him through the portal.
“Joe Moreno was always right here in my pocket the whole time trying to get me here,” he said. “He did that. Joe Moreno, he’s a great guy. He’s obviously a great guy because you can see what position he just put himself in now. I’m proud of him for that.”
Several sources revealed to the Hattiesburg American that Landon Smith, the assistant director of player personnel, has been elevated to Moreno’s position, although an official announcement is still pending.
Smith has held the position of assistant director of player personnel since July 2020, which makes him and general manager Reed Stringer the only remaining members from the prior coaching staff.
“Landon is going to do a phenomenal job and the system that was put in place from me through Reed Stringer will continue,” Hall said. “Nothing will change, and I think Landon has got a bright future just like I thought Joe did when we hired Joe.”
Southern Miss has six scholarship commitments for the 2025 recruiting class, placing them 133rd nationally and 13th in the Sun Belt according to 247Sports.
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