Troy Trojans

Head Coach

Larry Blakeney	18th year
07-08	8-4
Sun Belt	6-1
FCR	41

Previous Season Wins

Sun Belt Previews –by Tom Farrelly

Head Coach - Entering his 18th season Larry Blakeney has led the Trojans to back to back eight win seasons and although they must replace a slew of skill position players he shown that he’s got the formula to do it. They return fourteen starters and the lines on both sides of the ball are top notch; expect new offensive coordinator Neal Brown to keep the wide open attack in place and for Troy once again be a major player in the Sun Belt.

Quarterback - The quarterback battle was fought this spring between sophomores Jamie Hampton and Tanner Jones and Richmond transfer Levi Brown. Hampton is the front runner heading into the fall camp; he is the best runner of the three and adds another dimension to the attack. Brown and Jones are better pure passers than Hampton and could see time if Hampton struggles.

Running Backs - Many of the questions at running back were answered this spring as sophomore DuJuan Harris has claimed the starting spot, he rushed for 382 yards and caught five passes last season and he’s a quick strong back who gets to the second level in a hurry. JUCO Maurice Greer and true freshman will be in the mix and at the blocking fullback position will be junior Nathan Nolin.

Receivers - Last years leading receiver was sophomore Jerrel Jernigan who’ll line up at the H, he had 30 receptions for 337 yards and 3 TD’s in a reserve role and should be the number this year. Joining Jerniganwill be two senior returning starters in Kennard Burton at outside X spot and at the inside Z Mykeal Terry, they combined for 39 catches and 405 yards with 4 TD’s last and will be asked to do more this year. Junior Cornelius Williams will be at Y, he’s got good hands and caught 19 passes for 219 yards, when they go with a tight end junior Travis Boyd will get the call.

Offensive Line - Coaches sleep better when they’ve got a dependable line and Troy’s got the best one in the Sun Belt. They’ve got four players who are legitimate All-Sun Belt performers in seniors Dion Small at right tackle, at left tackle Chris Jamison and right guard Wesley Potter and at center junior Danny Franks. Add to that two players who also started last season in tackle Will Chambliss and left guard Tyler Clark. They’re solid in both faces of line play and look for the offensive numbers to be there again behind this line.

Defensive Line - On the defensive side of the ball three starters return upfront in juniors Brandon Lang and Cameron Sheffield at defensive end and on the nose senior Dion Gales. The newcomer to the unit will be senior Steve McLendon at defensive tackle, also returning is senior Kenny Mainor who’ll be in the mix on the outside, he had five sacks last season and has outstanding speed but needs to have better patience against the run. The unit as a whole will bring pressure and be a presence in the opponent’s backfield and they’re solid against the run as well.

Linebackers - Returning in the middle is junior Boris Lee and he’ll be joined on the strongside by senior David McDowell and on the weakside will be senior Bear Woods. Lee had 82 tackles last season and will be in line for post season honors, McDowell has the size to be a force against the run and Woods the quickness to help against the pass.

Defensive Backs - In the secondary both safeties return with seniors Sherrod Martin at the free safety and Tavares Williams at strong safety. Martin is the leader, he recorded 52 tackles last season and had three sacks awhile Williams added 60 tackles. At cornerback look for senior Trevor Ford and sophomore Chris Bowens to start and expect some growing pains.

Special Teams - The Trojans will be breaking in two new kickers this fall, at placekicker redshirt freshman Michael Taylor and junior Sam Glusman will battle through the fall camp and at punter redshirt freshman Wil Goggans has won the job. Handling the returns will be Jerrel Jernigan aided by Kennard Burton on the punt returns and on kick returns DuJuan Harris.

Schedule - Once again a tough non-conference slate that includes games on the road against LSU, Ohio St and Oklahoma St. Hopefully they’re not beaten too bad physically as their battle with FAU comes early in the season. With solid play upfront they’ll be find once conference play begins and look for the Trojans to win 8+ games this fall.