Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels murdered in Hattiesburg – Vicksburg Post

HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss University football player Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. was shot and killed Tuesday at his Hattiesburg apartment.

Daniels, of Lucedale, was 21 years old.

The shooting happened late Tuesday night at the Ivy Row housing complex on Ivy Row Circle.

Forrest County Coroner Lisa Klemm told media that Daniels had been shot and that his body was being sent to the medical examiner for an autopsy.

Hattiesburg television station WDAM reported that Southern Miss head coach Will Hall and other university officials responded to the scene of the shooting along with police and emergency personnel.

Daniels was a starter at cornerback last season at Southern Miss, where he recorded a team-leading 29 tackles and three interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior moved to safety for the 2024 season and was expected to be a starter again.

Daniels was named to the Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen and is a four-star recruit out of George County High School. He played his first two seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to Southern Miss in 2023.

Southern Miss said in a statement that it is providing counseling services to members of its football program and individuals close to the university.

“The University of Southern Mississippi and athletic department are mourning the loss of MJ Daniels, whose life was lost in an incident that occurred off-campus Tuesday night,” a statement from the University of Southern Mississippi said. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”