Troy University Athletics
Notes and Quotes from the First Day of Fall Camp
7/30/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
Here are a few notes from the first day of training camp for the Troy Trojans.
● One of the biggest question marks coming in the fall was how the special teams will perform. Freshmen Will Goggins and Michael Taylor have to replace departed All-Conference kicker/punter Greg Whibbs, which means they have big shoes to fill, so to speak.
Taylor had a pretty good day Wednesday kicking field goals while Goggans struggled on his first few punts. After the nerves settled a bit, Goggans showed why he was signed as a Division 1A punter.
● The offense looked to be in tune with what they were doing. In their first drill, not one ball was dropped by a receiver. It was obvious the group worked together this summer. Jamie Hampton and Levi Brown both looked good in live work.
● Long snapper Derrick Thomas found out yesterday that he was a senior instead of a junior. Thomas did not join the football team until his second year of school. Following a redshirt in 2006, Thomas was the team's snapper in all 12 games last season. His eligibility clock started when he first enrolled because he took a full load of classes that semester, which means he is a senior this year instead of a junior.
● The 1-on-1 passing drill was very competitive. Each receiver and defensive back were very physical with each other in making plays on the ball. It looks like it will be a very exciting group to watch again this year.
● Trevor Ford, a senior defensive back, changed his number from 12 to 5. A mysterious number 39 was seen lining up at tight end and made a couple of nice catches, but it was not a new player making their Troy debut, it was returning starter Travis Boyd. It seems his number 45 practice jersey was misplaced, so the junior is wearing 39 until it turns up.
● Chris Shelling was the defensive graduate assistant for defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell last year, but will not be back this year. Shelling spent his last day in Troy at practice telling the coaches and players goodbye. He is taking a coaching position at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss.
● Four quarterbacks participated in 11-on-11 competition. All made some good throws...and some bad ones. Chris Bowens made a nice interception off one poor toss, while Jerrel Jernigan showed why he had success as a freshman in 2007 with several nice catches, including a leaping grab on a Jamie Hampton roll-out pass.
● Speaking of Hampton, the starter coming into fall practice looked bigger and taller on day one. Listed at 6-2, 206 he is every bit of it. The true sophomore from Cedar Bluff, Ala., stood tall in the pocket and delivered multiple strong throws, showing why new Offensive Coordinator Neal Brown named him the starter back in April.
● Levi Brown, Tanner Jones and newcomer Dan Parker all got reps at quarterback during 11-on-11 drills. Parker showed some good mobility, getting out of the pocket and on designed runs. No pressure for Parker though, he inherited Troy great Omar Haugabook's number 17.
● We spoke a little earlier about Bowens' interception, but Terrence Moore made the first pick of practice. The senior is making the switch from safety to nickelback and seems to be adapting well.
Here are a few quotes from Coach Larry Blakeney following practice
On the day one performance of his team:
"We're young at quarterback, but we did some good things and some bad things. We've got to mature quickly. The protection looked good, it seemed like they knew where to be. We're immature at a lot of positions and they have to grow up quickly."
"I liked what I saw defensively. We've got a lot of guys that can play. Jorrick Calvin looked good in defensive drills, so did Kejuan Phillips. Bowens also made some good plays."
"Our safeties, guys like Sherrod Martin and Tavares Williams are going to be key and they looked good."
"Linebacker looks like a place that can be solid. Lots of solid players there."
On who impressed him the most today:
"I saw a lot of Chip Reeves. He's got something special in his stride, the way he runs routes."
On players returning from 2007 injuries:
"Brandon Lang looked really good. Austin Silvoy looked good, but kinda gimpy. Maybe like he's holding back a little bit, but he'll get there."
That is all for day number one here in Troy. Feel free to email us at jawright@troy.edu or bryant@troy.edu with any questions about the goings on practice.
Always keeping you informed,
Jason and Taylor
