Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Trojans Begin Preparing for Second Scrimmage
4/3/2012 7:35:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – With the first scrimmage and half of the spring practices under their belts, the Troy football team hit the turf at Veterans Memorial on Tuesday for the start of the third week of practice in preparation for Friday night's scrimmage in Phenix City, Ala.
This past Saturday's T-Day scrimmage started off with the fast-paced offense in full effect, as they scored on the first five possessions of the game. The white squad went on to defeat the cardinal 34-31 in what was the first game situation action where coaches got the chance to watch and evaluate how players performed. Like most other spring seasons, this spring has brought position changes.
Khary Franklin, who went 36-4 in his last three years as a starting quarterback in high school, has made the transition from wide receiver to running back for the Trojans. According to running backs coach Jeff Beckles, Franklin is excelling at that position and has even been asked to slow down.
“Khary is doing a great job for us and he has good vision cause of his play at QB in high school,” Beckles said. “He sees the field very well, and we had to actually slow him down a little bit as a running back because of the running back running zones, you have to see the hole and shoot through it where he was just getting it and going. Once we got him to understand to slow down and see the holes he did better.”
Franklin, a junior, arrived to Troy in 2010 as a wide receiver and didn't see much action in 2010 as a reserve. However, in 2011, Franklin got the chance to prove his true abilities. The native of Valdosta, Ga. caught five passes for 29 yards, and also scored a touchdown against Florida Atlantic. But according to Beckles, him being at the receiver position wasn't allowing for him to highlight everything he had to offer.
“I think he's good when he has the ball in his hands. With a receiver you got to throw it to him and there's a chance of him not catching it or there's a chance of overthrowing him. We've noticed its better when he has the ball in his hands so let's put him in the backfield, and let's get the ball to him and let him to his thing.”
With the move, Franklin will face tough competition ahead of him in seniors Shawn Southward, D.J. Taylor and Chris Anderson. Beckles said that if he can be used, he will be there, but they haven't ruled out the possibility of a redshirt.
“If he can help us, we're going to get him in there,” Beckles said. “Obviously that backfield is really loaded and we have thought about if he's not ready this year, there's no sense in burning a year, and we've got that redshirt in our back pocket.”
With the conclusion of Tuesday's practice, Troy will look ahead to Thursday's practice before traveling to Central High School in Phenix City on Friday, April 6, to take part in the second scrimmage. That game will take place at Garrett-Harrison Stadium at 6 p.m. and is free to the public.
For more information on Troy Athletics visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics and on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
This past Saturday's T-Day scrimmage started off with the fast-paced offense in full effect, as they scored on the first five possessions of the game. The white squad went on to defeat the cardinal 34-31 in what was the first game situation action where coaches got the chance to watch and evaluate how players performed. Like most other spring seasons, this spring has brought position changes.
Khary Franklin, who went 36-4 in his last three years as a starting quarterback in high school, has made the transition from wide receiver to running back for the Trojans. According to running backs coach Jeff Beckles, Franklin is excelling at that position and has even been asked to slow down.
“Khary is doing a great job for us and he has good vision cause of his play at QB in high school,” Beckles said. “He sees the field very well, and we had to actually slow him down a little bit as a running back because of the running back running zones, you have to see the hole and shoot through it where he was just getting it and going. Once we got him to understand to slow down and see the holes he did better.”
Franklin, a junior, arrived to Troy in 2010 as a wide receiver and didn't see much action in 2010 as a reserve. However, in 2011, Franklin got the chance to prove his true abilities. The native of Valdosta, Ga. caught five passes for 29 yards, and also scored a touchdown against Florida Atlantic. But according to Beckles, him being at the receiver position wasn't allowing for him to highlight everything he had to offer.
“I think he's good when he has the ball in his hands. With a receiver you got to throw it to him and there's a chance of him not catching it or there's a chance of overthrowing him. We've noticed its better when he has the ball in his hands so let's put him in the backfield, and let's get the ball to him and let him to his thing.”
With the move, Franklin will face tough competition ahead of him in seniors Shawn Southward, D.J. Taylor and Chris Anderson. Beckles said that if he can be used, he will be there, but they haven't ruled out the possibility of a redshirt.
“If he can help us, we're going to get him in there,” Beckles said. “Obviously that backfield is really loaded and we have thought about if he's not ready this year, there's no sense in burning a year, and we've got that redshirt in our back pocket.”
With the conclusion of Tuesday's practice, Troy will look ahead to Thursday's practice before traveling to Central High School in Phenix City on Friday, April 6, to take part in the second scrimmage. That game will take place at Garrett-Harrison Stadium at 6 p.m. and is free to the public.
For more information on Troy Athletics visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics and on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
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