Conference USA All League Team: USM’s Ito Smith, Allenzae Staggers honored

As good as Nick Mullens was as the four year starting quarterback at Southern Miss, he had some pretty good weapons along the way. Two of them are about to enter their senior seasons at USM with some high praise attached to their names.
Today, running back Ito Smith and wide receiver Allenzae Staggers were named to the All-Conference USA pre-season team. In the backfield, Smith was virtually unstoppable in 2016, rushing for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. Also the team’s third leading receiver, Smith had 43 receptions for more than 400 yards and another two scores.
As for Staggers, he made an immediate impact as a JUCO transfer, hauling in 63 passes for more than 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season he broke the single game school record with 292 receiving yards versus Rice and posted a Golden Eagle bowl record 230 yards in New Orleans.
Smith has scored a touchdown in 17 of his last 18 games and combined they accounted for more than 50 percent of USM’s total offense as juniors.
Also today, Staggers got placed on the Paul Hornung Award watch list, going to the nation’s most versatile player. That now makes four Southern Miss players to receive such recognition. Joining Smith in the discussion for the most outstanding player are Parker Shaunfield for best kicker and Julian Allen for best tight end.