Chitty Ready to Step In After Redshirt

College football players often have to show a lot of patience before their time comes to shine on the field.

More often than not, players who were stars on their high school teams arrive as true freshmen and find the world of college football is a much bigger and faster place than the games they left behind.

That is why sitting out that first season as a redshirt is often so important. The year gives players a chance to adjust to college life, learn the college game, and prepare themselves physically for the challenges yet to come.

But that redshirt season is often tough to handle. It is especially difficult for a player who, instead of serving time on a scout team, prepares with the veteran players to compete on Saturday.

Such is the case with redshirt freshman receiver B.J. Chitty. A multi-threat weapon at Northview High School in Dothan, Chitty sat out the 2010 season as a redshirt. But, instead of working on the scout teams, he practiced every day with the veteran players. He prepared each week as if he were going to play on Saturday, and even traveled to every road game, standing on the sideline in uniform, ready in the event his number was called.

Of course, Chitty stayed on the side throughout the season, but learned the valuable lessons of preparation, and now knows what to expect when the Trojans go on the road. That will only help him in 2011 as his role becomes that of potential starter.

“I think it always helps,” Assistant Head Coach and outside receivers coach Shayne Wasden said of redshirting. “There are no unknowns for him. He should be comfortable with our game prep and the travel and all those things. There is nothing that should be new to him.”

The fact that Chitty will be comfortable with the demands of playing will be a big benefit when the Trojans get to Clemson. With senior Brett Moncrief sidelined by a foot injury, Chitty is preparing to be the starter at the Z receiver position.

“It really helped me,” Chitty said of sitting out last season. “I got to learn all of the plays so that there is no hesitation. It helped me really get my confidence up. I worked out twice a day during the summer and I really focused on getting my mind right – in the weight room, class room and on the field.”

The work he has put in has not gone unnoticed.

“He worked really hard in the off-season and is in really good shape,” sophomore quarterback Corey Robinson said. “He is looking good out here right now. He has got to be a top guy for us. He has got to go out and make plays and I have a lot of faith in him.”

Chitty said that having an opportunity to develop a good relationship with his quarterback is one of the reasons he has such confidence going into camp this year.

“I feel like I can be a big help because my confidence is up,” Chitty said. “I don't have to think when there is a play called. It is nice knowing that I am going to get to play. Corey and I are cool on and off the field. This entire team is very close.”

Having played quarterback in high school, one of the things Chitty brings to the table is the potential to serve in a “Wildcat” capacity.

“He has a chance to be that guy,” offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “He played quarterback in high school and can really throw the ball. He could bring a dimension to that position that we have not really had. We'll see how that plays out.”

Robinson, for one, likes the idea of having a player with Chitty's skills at his disposal.

“He is very versatile,” Robinson said. “He played quarterback in high school, so we can move him around, maybe run some trick plays with him. He is a very smart guy and is going to help us out a lot.”

Chitty isn't worried about the potential for trick plays or throwing the ball. He is, however, focused on being the best receiver he can be.

“I don't know if I am going to get to throw any this year,” Chitty said. “I am just concentrating on catching the ball.”

Earlier Start to Beat the Heat

The Trojans got onto the practice field a little earlier Friday morning in an effort to beat the heat, and the move paid off. Instead of starting at 8:30, the team was on the field at 7 a.m. and, with some cloud cover, enjoyed temperatures of 15-20 degrees cooler than Thursday.

The success of the earlier start means the team will continue to be on the field for practice at 7 a.m. each day until the start of fall classes on August 17.

The Trojans will be in shoulder pads for the first time on Saturday. All practices are 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.

Early Departure

Head coach Larry Blakeney left practice early on Friday in order to drive to Birmingham to speak to the local alumni chapter's meeting at lunch.

Two other Alumni groups have meetings scheduled in the coming weeks. The Crenshaw County Chapter will meet on August 16 and the Pike County Chapter will meet on August 18.

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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