Valcin Excited to Be Back On Field

The 2010 football season was supposed to be his time to shine.

Barry Valcin had played in all 13 games during the 2009 season for the Troy Trojans, starting 11 at cornerback. Going into the 2010 campaign, Valcin, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, was set to be the Trojans starter at one of the two safety spots, which is his natural position.

That plan came to a sickening end just two days before the Trojans hosted Bowling Green. During a non-contact special teams play, Valcin jumped to catch the high bounce from an onside kick. He landed awkwardly on his right leg, dislocating his ankle and breaking his fibula.

Just like that, the 2010 season was over before it started for Valcin. Unfortunately, it was not the first time for Valcin to have a season end so abruptly. During his freshman season at Coffeyville, Kansas, Community College, he suffered a broken arm in the first game of the year and missed the rest of that season as well.

“I was standing right there when he got hurt last year,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney, who is entering his 21st season at Troy, said. “It was just a freak accident, but it was so disappointing for Barry because he had worked so hard to get ready for the season.”

Valcin is back now, preparing again for another season. He took part on a very limited basis during spring drills, but has not had contact since suffering the injury.

Being back on the field for the opening day of fall camp is something the senior has been looking forward to.

“It felt pretty good,” Valcin said. “I am glad to be back and I did better than I thought I would, which is a plus. It was exciting for me to be back out there. I just have to get my confidence back in my ankle.”

Valcin is once against expected to be a key member of the secondary for the Trojans in 2011. He sees a major difference in the group of defensive backs going into this year from what he saw last year.

“In the past we have had a lot of young people,” Valcin said. “This year we have a lot of guys who have played and who have experience.”

Valcin, who is applying with the NCAA to receive a sixth year of eligibility due to the two season-ending injuries he has suffered, said he is done with injuries.

“I am not breaking anything else because I am screwed and plated together now,” Valcin said.

Trying to Avoid The Heat

The Trojans have moved their practices during training camp to the morning to try to avoid the stifling heat of the south Alabama summer. The move had mixed reviews on Thursday as temperatures soared into the upper 90s by the end of practice with near 100 percent humidity.

“We have a lot of folks who are coaching and working hard,” Blakeney said. “It is very hot and we had some heat problems. We have to get through it and make sure we take good care of the folks that need taking care of.

“We are practicing in the morning to try to find the coolest time of the day. That gives us the entire day to make changes and reschedule if we need to.”

Early Impressions

The highlight play of the first day of practice was a catch by junior college receiver Hollis Moore over freshman Keenan Harp on a pass into the front corner of the end zone from another freshman, Luke Barnes.

Blakeney said he was impressed with some of the young players.

“I saw a bunch of young guys who stood out,” Blakeney said. “Bryan Holmes is a true freshman who looks like he has some ability. Justin Albert did some good things. I watched all of the kick returners and it looks like they all have skills and an understanding of how to handle the ball back there.

“I thought B.J. Chitty looked good. He looks like he has grown up some and is stronger and bigger.”

Sitting Out For Now

Several players who are looking to come back from off-season surgery were held out of practice, including a pair of offensive linemen. Blakeney said that juniors Jacob Creech and Kyle Wilborn would stay on the sideline until the team moves to full pads.

“We have some guys on the offensive line that we are holding out during this part of practice,” Blakeney said. “That left a lot of young guys out there in the heat getting a lot of work. We are sawing wood and trying to deal with the situation to get the most out of them.”

Two of the young linemen, redshirt freshman Terrence Jones and junior college transfer Cody Woodiel both suffered some cramping due to the heat. Neither is expected to miss significant time.

Moncrief Still Out

Senior receiver Brett Moncrief will miss at least the first two weeks of camp while recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. He missed almost all of spring drills as a result of the original injury and then he reinjured the foot during the summer.

Weekend Schedule

The Trojans will be back on the practice field in shorts on Friday morning and will put on shoulder pads for the first time on Saturday. All practices are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and all sessions are open to the public.

The Trojans will have two-a-day practices on Tuesday and Thursday next week before holding their first scrimmage on Saturday, August 13.

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.

Troy University Athletics

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