Smallest Trojan Has a Big Impact on Field

If you scroll through the 2011 Troy Trojans football roster, you'd likely never notice him, and that is OK.

Trojans senior cornerback Jimmie Anderson has grown accustomed to being overlooked as a football player. A native of Round Rock, Texas, Anderson's stature in a sport best suited for big men, makes it easy for him to be overlooked.

In fact, only one player on Troy's roster for training camp is smaller than Anderson's 5-foot, 8-inches in height and 160 pounds. That one player is walk-on kicker Jed Soloman. The freshman from Valdosta, Ga., weighs in at the same 160 pounds, but stands just 5-6.

It is certain that the Ohio Bobcats saw Anderson lined up at corner in a one-on-one matchup with 6-4, 200-pound, senior receiver Terrence McCrae on the second play of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl last December and saw easy points.

When Anderson pulled in the pass from Phil Bates, it gave the Trojans the early momentum en route to a 48-21 victory.

“I like the challenge,” Anderson said of matching up against bigger receviers. “I can't wait for those situations because I know they are going to underestimate me because I am little. I know that I am going to play bigger than I am.

“That was a big play for us on just the second play of the game. I didn't think I was going to make the interception, but I just kept running and stuck my hand out.”

The hustle and effort he brings to the field every day, whether for practice or a game, is what helps Anderson play much bigger than he is.

“He has really been a pleasure to coach and be around,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He has a great team personality. He understands how to cover and be on the ball and he makes plays on the ball. He makes plays for us. He is pretty physical for a smaller guy. He doesn't mind tackling and I am really glad that he is a Trojan.”

Defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said there is a noticeable difference between the Jimmie Anderson in camp this year and the one that arrived from Kilgore College in Texas last year.

“There is a huge difference,” Rowell said. “The time he has spent being here, he has worked hard to change his body. He is still not a real big guy, but he has changed the way his body looks and he has more power and explosion. That is something you have to have when you are out there on that island.

“He moves very well, has good leaping ability. He is going to get overmatched sometimes just because of his size, but he does a good job of limiting that by just being in the right place to make a play.”

Finding his way from Texas to southeast Alabama was a much easier process than being on that island one-on-one with a receiver. Anderson was teammates with current Troy teammate Barry Valcin, and he played for former Trojan Jordan Leslie, who is the defensive coordinator at Kilgore.

“Coach Leslie played here and told me about Troy,” Anderson said. “There were other schools that wanted me, but I knew about Troy winning championships, and that was something I was interested in. I met Barry my first semester at Kilgore. We didn't really hang out together as much then, but we are tight now.”

The closeness between Anderson and Valcin has spread to the rest of the players in the secondary. Last year that group went through some growing pains on the field, but that made them a closer unit.

“I am more experienced coming into this year and I know more about what I have to do and I can help teach the other guys,” Anderson said. “There is such a big difference, having Barry back and having guys like (Brynden) Trawick and (LaDarrius) Madden making plays, and Chris Pickett making a lot of plays.

“We just have more depth than we did last year. We had a two-man rotation at times last year but we have solid ones, twos and threes this year and everyone knows what they are doing.”

Despite his experience on the field, Anderson knows that when the Trojans travel to Clemson to open the season he will face the same challenges he has always faced, but he doesn't have a problem with it.

“I have to play big because everyone is going to pick on me because I am small,” Anderson said. “I know I have to play hard.”

Trojans Pull Double-Duty

The Trojans took to the practice field early on Wednesday morning for their first practice in full gear. The session was also the first of two practices scheduled for the day.

Blakeney said that, overall, he was pleased with what he saw.

“We missed a tackle or two, but I thought it went pretty good for it being the first time out here in full 11-on-11,” Blakeney said. “We had some good things offensively and we had some good things defensively. We are going to get another practice in today and work on special teams. We are going to get a lot of work in today.”

Football Appreciation Night/Fan Day

The 2011 Troy Football Appreciation Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The annual fund-raising event for the Trojans Football program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per couple by calling 334-670-3683 or 334-670-3682.

The 2011 Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be on hand, along with the Troy cheerleaders, to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Admission to Fan Day is free and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for all fans, while supplies last.

Troy University Athletics

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