Troy University Athletics
Walk-On Warrior Ready to Shine
8/9/2011 11:47:00 AM | Football
The Troy University football team enters the 2011 season as the five-time defending Sun Belt Champions. However, that doesn't mean that the quest for a sixth straight title in 2011 comes without question marks, and one of the biggest is the loss of All-Sun Belt performer and NFL draft pick Jerrel Jernigan.
His shoes will not be filled by one, but rather a handful of young talents the Troy coaching staff has assembled. Viewers of TroyTrojans.com have already met Corey Johnson and B.J. Chitty, who will certainly contribute to filling the void.
Today you will get to know Justin Albert, another in the stable of young talents. However, this “young” talent steps onto the field this fall as a junior and with an interesting story to tell.
Albert, a three-time All-State running back at Prattville High School, helped the Lions win back-to-back AHSAA 6A State Championships in 2006 and 2007. He accumulated more than 3,000 rushing yards, 1,500 receiving yards and 88 total touchdowns in his career and was highly thought of among college coaches.
The high school standout was recruited heavily by many schools, including Troy and had multiple scholarship offers, however, the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster decided to pass up the offers and walk on at Auburn.
“When I went there (Auburn), I felt like I was at home and I felt like Auburn was the best place for me at the time,” Albert said.
He spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Tigers, but didn't see any playing time and realized a change needed to be made.
In the summer of 2010, Albert decided to transfer to Troy where he was required to sit out the 2010 season to satisfy the NCAA's transfer policy.
“It was time for me to make a move and go on with my career,” Albert said. “I knew Troy was the place where I wanted to do that.”
Albert spent the entire 2010 season on the practice field, and now, with the 2011 season just around the corner, he's set to contribute for the Trojans.
“Since he has been here, he's been right down the line with us,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He has done a good job of working hard and learning, and he's become a factor offensively.”
“He's a slot guy, and I think, for us, he can play running back as well. He needs the ball in his hand and we're going to find a way to get it to him.”
Albert's roommate, quarterback Corey Robinson, agrees that Albert is a special talent among many on the 2011 squad.
“He's had a good camp and a good summer, and he's very versatile,” Robinson said. “He can come in the backfield or play slot for us. He's learned the offense and he's making good plays.”
After a full season on the practice field in Troy, plus two more in Auburn, the junior running back is ready to turn all of his hard work into productivity on the playing field.
“I'm hungry, very hungry,” Albert said. “I've worked my butt off every day at practice and I'm just trying to make the best of it. Like Corey said, you've got to work your butt off to get on the field.”
Two-A-Days Rescheduled
The Trojans were scheduled to take part in their first two-a-day on Tuesday, however, that has been rescheduled for Wednesday. Sessions are scheduled for 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The morning practice will be much like the other sessions have been, but the later practice will focus mostly on special teams.
“We're going to try to get a lot of reps and some special teams reps for certain,” Blakeney said. “One of the practices is going to be a little heavier than the other, but we're going to make sure we take advantage of the opportunity to go twice.”
Also, the two-a-day scheduled for Thursday has been moved to Monday.
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.
His shoes will not be filled by one, but rather a handful of young talents the Troy coaching staff has assembled. Viewers of TroyTrojans.com have already met Corey Johnson and B.J. Chitty, who will certainly contribute to filling the void.
Today you will get to know Justin Albert, another in the stable of young talents. However, this “young” talent steps onto the field this fall as a junior and with an interesting story to tell.
Albert, a three-time All-State running back at Prattville High School, helped the Lions win back-to-back AHSAA 6A State Championships in 2006 and 2007. He accumulated more than 3,000 rushing yards, 1,500 receiving yards and 88 total touchdowns in his career and was highly thought of among college coaches.
The high school standout was recruited heavily by many schools, including Troy and had multiple scholarship offers, however, the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster decided to pass up the offers and walk on at Auburn.
“When I went there (Auburn), I felt like I was at home and I felt like Auburn was the best place for me at the time,” Albert said.
He spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Tigers, but didn't see any playing time and realized a change needed to be made.
In the summer of 2010, Albert decided to transfer to Troy where he was required to sit out the 2010 season to satisfy the NCAA's transfer policy.
“It was time for me to make a move and go on with my career,” Albert said. “I knew Troy was the place where I wanted to do that.”
Albert spent the entire 2010 season on the practice field, and now, with the 2011 season just around the corner, he's set to contribute for the Trojans.
“Since he has been here, he's been right down the line with us,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He has done a good job of working hard and learning, and he's become a factor offensively.”
“He's a slot guy, and I think, for us, he can play running back as well. He needs the ball in his hand and we're going to find a way to get it to him.”
Albert's roommate, quarterback Corey Robinson, agrees that Albert is a special talent among many on the 2011 squad.
“He's had a good camp and a good summer, and he's very versatile,” Robinson said. “He can come in the backfield or play slot for us. He's learned the offense and he's making good plays.”
After a full season on the practice field in Troy, plus two more in Auburn, the junior running back is ready to turn all of his hard work into productivity on the playing field.
“I'm hungry, very hungry,” Albert said. “I've worked my butt off every day at practice and I'm just trying to make the best of it. Like Corey said, you've got to work your butt off to get on the field.”
Two-A-Days Rescheduled
The Trojans were scheduled to take part in their first two-a-day on Tuesday, however, that has been rescheduled for Wednesday. Sessions are scheduled for 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The morning practice will be much like the other sessions have been, but the later practice will focus mostly on special teams.
“We're going to try to get a lot of reps and some special teams reps for certain,” Blakeney said. “One of the practices is going to be a little heavier than the other, but we're going to make sure we take advantage of the opportunity to go twice.”
Also, the two-a-day scheduled for Thursday has been moved to Monday.
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.
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