Avery Sledge is a 6'2", 220-pound linebacker from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who prepped at Forrest County Agricultural High School. Originally recruited to Mississippi State as a three-star prospect in the 2022 class, Sledge redshirted as a freshman in 2022 after appearing in two games. He transferred to Southern Miss and appeared in nine games in 2023, primarily on special teams, recording one tackle and scoring his first career touchdown off a blocked punt recovery against SE Louisiana (9/2). In 2025, Sledge played in 12 games, accumulating 15 total tackles with six solo stops, a half tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery versus Jacksonville State (9/27). He posted four tackles in a single game against South Alabama (11/22).