Southern Miss adds three fifth-year players after eligibility injunction

A court injunction that granted a fifth season of eligibility to members of the 2022 class has allowed Southern Miss football to bring back three fifth-year players for the upcoming 2026 campaign. Offensive linemen Greg Nunnery and Aloali'i Maui, along with defensive lineman Jameer Lewis, all saw significant playing time in 2025. Coach Blake Anderson explained that the NCAA rule enables their return and described a careful approach to get them back into shape, targeting full practice participation by Monday, Aug. 17.

Nunnery and Lewis are already in Hattiesburg, while Maui is en route from Samoa, with limited flight options to the mainland. The program plans to assess each player's condition before fully reintegrating them into the squad.