The Troy Trojans held simply 5 of their scheduled 15 practices this spring. In that shortened time head coach Chip Lindsey noticed loads to be enthusiastic about for the upcoming season.
The Trojans entered camp with all of their ability guys returning offensively, whereas the defensive guys welcomed a in a brand new group of gamers.
“I’m actually enthusiastic about this group,” Lindsey stated throughout a digital press convention on Thursday afternoon. “We made some strides on the defensive facet from recruiting and offensively we didn’t lose any ability guys. We’re excited in regards to the season.”
The Trojans stated goodbye to former quarterback Kaleb Barker after final season. After coming into the spring with a battle for the brand new beginning quarterback, Lindsey believes he has discovered his prime three candidates in Gunnar Watson, Jacob Free and Parker McNeil.
“I feel after 5 practices we’re able to skinny the reps out with these three guys,” Lindsey stated. “It’s enjoyable when you’ve gotten a contest since you see who’s motived to do the additional issues. All three are working their tails off to get higher and enhance one of the best they will.”
The working again took a giant hit final season after they misplaced 1,000-yard rusher B.J. Smith within the second sport of the season. At instances, the again subject featured simply two guys. As they enter the 2020 season, Lindsey believes the working again place may very well be a giant weapon for his offense.
“Getting Smith again is large,” Lindsey stated. “We’ve got the addition of Charles Sturdy who was sitting out after taking part in at Texas A&M. We’ve got DK (Billingsley) who got here in and performed nice for us and we’ve a freshman coming in named Kimani Vidal, a freshman from Marietta Excessive Faculty.
B.J. Smith missed the ultimate 10 video games of the season after getting injured in opposition to Southern Mississippi. Lindsey believes the senior working again gained’t have many restrictions when he will get again on the sector.
“He is among the greatest gamers on our group so he’s going to get loads of work for positive,” Lindsey stated. “I don’t see him being restricted.”
Troy needed to deal with an offensive line that stated goodbye to a few starters from final season.
Troy’s Move protection allowed 276 yards per sport in 2019. They enter this season with seven new defensive backs. They’re additionally welcoming in two key transfers in former Auburn Tiger Richard Jibunor and Iowa Hawkeye Jayden McDonald.
“That’s thrilling,” Lindsey stated. “They (defensive backs) aren’t all freshman. We signed junior faculty guys and we’ve a man that was ineligible again. We added Richard Jibunor from Auburn and Jayden McDonald, who we added from Iowa. On the defensive position, we added Shakel Brown and I feel he’s going to have a huge impact. We really feel fairly good the place we’re going to be subsequent yr.”
The Trojans are nonetheless hoping to apply this summer time and put together for the 2020 season opener in opposition to Arkansas Pine Bluff on Saturday, September 5.
