Tragedy has struck the Southern Miss community as defensive back MJ Daniels was fatally shot off-campus.
The university announced Daniels’ death in a statement, expressing their “sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. local time in the 6300 block of U.S. 49, less than a mile from Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Daniels family,” Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims said.
“We are doing all that we can to locate the perpetrators to bring justice to the victim and his family. We are asking the community for their help and to come forward with any information pertaining to this tragic incident and the untimely death of Marcus Daniels.
“We will share as much information as possible without jeopardizing the investigation. We are working closely with the university and local officials.”
Daniels, a promising athlete entering his second season with the Golden Eagles, was expected to be a starter for the coming season.
The 6-foot-2 defensive back had an impressive 2023 season, recording 29 tackles, four pass deflections, and three interceptions.
Known for his rangy frame, Daniels played primarily as a boundary corner last season and was anticipated to transition to safety in 2024.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of MJ Daniels. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. Please keep MJ’s loved ones and our Southern Miss family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Southern Miss head coach Will Hall posted on X.
Originally from Lucedale, Mississippi, Daniels was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2021.
Despite initial struggles for playing time at Ole Miss, Daniels transferred to Southern Miss, about an hour from his hometown.
“Our hearts are broken over the sudden passing of MJ Daniels … Please keep the Daniels family in your thoughts and prayers during this time,” Ole Miss Football posted on X.
Rebels’ Coordinator of Recruiting Strategy Kelvin Bolden also made his voice heard over the tragic passing of Daniels.
“You’ll be missed.. R.I.P MJ … Sending my prayers & condolences to MJ’s family & friends, the George County Community, & Southern Miss Football,” Bolden posted on X.
At George County High School, Daniels excelled as a multi-sport athlete and garnered offers from several SEC programs, including Mississippi State, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Auburn.
“He loved life, always had a smile on his face, always fun to be around, loved football dearly,” George County head coach James Ray told the Sun Herald.
“It breaks my heart to hear of this. Great guy, great teammate, great football player, and will be dearly missed. I love this guy.
“He would come to my house and hang out, even when he was at Ole Miss and even when he was at Southern. Just devastated and heartbroken about what we heard today.”
The university is providing counseling services in the wake of Daniels’ death.
This is a developing story, and we’ll keep you updated as more details become available.
RIP to a life gone way too soon.