Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Joey Meredith
Troy Football Notebook – Bigger & Stronger; Trojans Forge on Towards Season Opener
8/19/2020 3:52:00 PM | Football
TROY, Alabama – Troy football is well underway in its preparations for a Sept. 5 home opener with nine practices and a scrimmage already complete. With just 17 days remaining until the much-anticipated kickoff to the 2020 season, there are still a lot of questions to be answered by head coach Chip Lindsey and his staff.
Secondary Makeover
The Troy secondary will look much different in 2020 with the additions of JUCO transfers Zion Williams and Markeis Colvin plus the return of Terence Dunlap and Monte' McGary to the field after the pair missed last season. Lindsey was also quick to praise Craig Slocum for his progress during camp after the Lake Butler, Fla., native earned a scholarship during an emotional scene at the opening of camp.
"Seeing Dunlap running full speed with the No. 1s after not really having the opportunity to watch him much last year, it is exciting to see because he's a very talented guy that we didn't have last season," Lindsey said. "Markeis and Craig are locked into a good battle at one of the safety spots; they both tackled well in space and Markeis picked off a pass in the scrimmage last week."
Dell Pettus, who earned Freshman All-America honors last season, started the final 10 games of the season last year at free safety but will slide over to the strong safety spot after putting on 11 pounds in the offseason.
In the Trenches
With just two returning starters along the offensive front, Dylan Bradshaw and Austin Stidham, competition for the two of the three remaining spots is wide open with sophomore Jake Andrews the front runner at right guard.
"We still need to settle on who is going to be our left guard and right tackle," Lindsey said. "Jordan Chapman has looked really good at times and he's also being pushed at times, and then we have Bubba Hudson at right tackle with Grant Betts pushing him. We have a lot of good competition going for those positions, which is what you want to see."
New Look Trojans
In the offseason, Lindsey brought in Rusty Whitt to take over the Trojans' strength and conditioning efforts. Whitt, who served in the US Special Forces before running the strength programs at Texas Tech and Louisiana, has transformed the bodies and minds of the Troy players in the offseason.
"Our guys are definitely stronger going into the season," Lindsey said. "When you look at their strength numbers, they've all gone up, and there is a lot of positive movements with their weight as well."
Pettus' weight jump was noted earlier and he's not alone. Bandit Richard Jibunor climbed from 215 to 226 pounds, running back Charles Strong is up 20 pounds to a bruising 235 pounds and true freshman running back Kimani Vidal added 18 pounds and enters the season at 214 pounds. You can check out the full roster here with updated heights and weights.
"Coming back from COVID this summer we really focused on the players having time with Rusty and his staff both in the weight room and on the field for conditioning," Lindsey said. "I think you've seen it's paid off. At the end of the day, your body has to be prepared for the grind of the season."
Secondary Makeover
The Troy secondary will look much different in 2020 with the additions of JUCO transfers Zion Williams and Markeis Colvin plus the return of Terence Dunlap and Monte' McGary to the field after the pair missed last season. Lindsey was also quick to praise Craig Slocum for his progress during camp after the Lake Butler, Fla., native earned a scholarship during an emotional scene at the opening of camp.
"Seeing Dunlap running full speed with the No. 1s after not really having the opportunity to watch him much last year, it is exciting to see because he's a very talented guy that we didn't have last season," Lindsey said. "Markeis and Craig are locked into a good battle at one of the safety spots; they both tackled well in space and Markeis picked off a pass in the scrimmage last week."
Dell Pettus, who earned Freshman All-America honors last season, started the final 10 games of the season last year at free safety but will slide over to the strong safety spot after putting on 11 pounds in the offseason.
In the Trenches
With just two returning starters along the offensive front, Dylan Bradshaw and Austin Stidham, competition for the two of the three remaining spots is wide open with sophomore Jake Andrews the front runner at right guard.
"We still need to settle on who is going to be our left guard and right tackle," Lindsey said. "Jordan Chapman has looked really good at times and he's also being pushed at times, and then we have Bubba Hudson at right tackle with Grant Betts pushing him. We have a lot of good competition going for those positions, which is what you want to see."
New Look Trojans
In the offseason, Lindsey brought in Rusty Whitt to take over the Trojans' strength and conditioning efforts. Whitt, who served in the US Special Forces before running the strength programs at Texas Tech and Louisiana, has transformed the bodies and minds of the Troy players in the offseason.
"Our guys are definitely stronger going into the season," Lindsey said. "When you look at their strength numbers, they've all gone up, and there is a lot of positive movements with their weight as well."
Pettus' weight jump was noted earlier and he's not alone. Bandit Richard Jibunor climbed from 215 to 226 pounds, running back Charles Strong is up 20 pounds to a bruising 235 pounds and true freshman running back Kimani Vidal added 18 pounds and enters the season at 214 pounds. You can check out the full roster here with updated heights and weights.
"Coming back from COVID this summer we really focused on the players having time with Rusty and his staff both in the weight room and on the field for conditioning," Lindsey said. "I think you've seen it's paid off. At the end of the day, your body has to be prepared for the grind of the season."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
BAN
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ FootballBehind the Wall - S10, E3
Thursday, September 18
PODCAST - Kaleb Canales
Wednesday, September 17
Behind The Wall - S10, E3
Wednesday, September 17
Troy Football Press Conference (Players) - Buffalo Game
Monday, September 15