Jason Munz/Hattiesburg American

Starting a ton of underclassmen one year usually translates into very few changes to the starting lineup the following season.

That's the case for Southern Miss in 2014.

But there are a handful of new faces running with the first team for the Golden Eagles.

• D.J. Thompson, redshirt sophomore, receiver

The Pearl native missed all of 2013 with a number of minor injuries. But the 6-foot-3, 198-pounder made a strong impression in spring camp earlier this year which has carried over in the fall.

Thompson is expected to team with sophomore Marquise Ricard as the Golden Eagles' primary perimeter receivers and there are high expectations for both.

• Brandon Farmer, redshirt sophomore, left guard

Farmer played in just one game a year ago, versus Nebraska. Throughout the offseason, the 6-foot-2, 308-pound offensive lineman has bounced around the line a little, including being given an audition at center.

Early in fall camp, Farmer solidified his stock at left guard and hasn't done anything to relinquish the reins.

• Jerry Harris, redshirt freshman, right tackle or Norman Price, junior, right tackle

When Cameron Tom was moved from right tackle to center, that left a void which was initially filled by Price. Since then, Harris has given the coaching staff a decision to make.

Price is a junior college transfer from Hinds Community College, and features impressive size at 6-4, 321. Harris, on the other hand, is a former defensive tackle that — albeit slightly smaller than Price at 6-3, 302 – has improved dramatically since fall camp began.

• Dasman McCullum, redshirt senior, bandit

The 6-foot-4, 242-pound McCullum has played in 27 games since 2011, but has started just once. This season, the Hebron native has rapidly risen up the depth chart and grabbed the starting bandit position.

His experience is probably his biggest asset, but McCullum also brings a quiet intensity the coaching staff loves.

• Brian Anderson, junior, mike linebacker

Southern Miss coaches have raved about the Butte (Calif.) Community College transfer almost since he arrived in the summer. The 5-10, 240-pounder gives the Golden Eagles a ball-hawking thumper in the middle of the defense. Not only that, his insertion into the starting lineup gives the coaching staff the flexibility to move Alan Howze to the weakside linebacker spot.

• David Bertucci, redshirt junior, spur

The Gulfport native came to Southern Miss as a safety, and has seen most of his playing time on special teams. But Bertucci's high football IQ and instincts have made the coaching staff's decision easy. Bertucci's size gives him the ability to rush the quarterback and stop the run, but his safety background helps him in pass coverage.

• Picasso Nelson Jr., freshman, cornerback

Nelson graduated high school a semester early from Oak Grove, and enrolled at Southern Miss in January. As soon as spring camp began, Nelson proved he has everything it takes to start right away. He's got plus size and speed, but has also shown he can be an asset in helping bolster the Golden Eagles' run defense.

• Casey Martin, junior, receiver

The diminutive Martin is an interesting case. A transfer from the University of Houston, he redshirted in 2011 with the Cougars. He's got two years of eligibility remaining, and is able to play right away for the Golden Eagles since he graduated early at Houston. Martin has caught on quickly since arriving in Hattiesburg over the summer, and has already emerged as one of the team's top receiving options.

Jason Munz, sports writer