Troy University Athletics
Football Opens Fall Camp with Two Hour Practice Wednesday
8/2/2023 3:29:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – It was business as usual for Troy Football as the Trojans opened fall training camp Wednesday morning with a two-plus hour workout on the grass practice fields behind Trojan Arena.
Despite featuring a roster with 60-plus newcomers who were not part of the 2022 Sun Belt championship squad, day one was a crisp workout that Sumrall has come to expect out of his program.
"It was really fun to get around them and watch what the starting point for this team is," Sumrall said. "It told them, 'The journey to a thousand miles starts with one step, and today was step one.' There are four phases to a football team. Phase one is winter workouts; phase two is spring practice; phase three is the summer and phase four is football season, which is why we do all the other work."
The reports all spring and summer were that senior quarterback Gunnar Watson was a new-look player, and he put that on display Wednesday along with receiver Jabre Barber, who is back at full speed after missing the bulk of 2022 with an injury.
"Gunnar is a completely different guy than a year ago," Sumrall said. "A year ago, this time, he really did not lead the team, and he was really leading himself just okay. Now he is leading himself at an elite level; he's changed his diet, his nutrition, his details in the weight program and he's also leading the team differently. At the midpoint of practice (offensive coordinator), Coach Craddock and I looked at each other and said 18 looks different and he's carrying himself different.
"Some of the usual suspects stood out today," Sumrall said. "Don Callis, our (transfer) cornerback, flashed today as a new guy and (freshman defensive end) Deshaun Batiste flashed, as well. There were so many new guys that I think a couple of times I was asking, 'Who's that number again?' but the household names that have been here forever and have played a lot of football, we know what we'll get out of them day in and day out."
Troy will return to work Thursday in helmets and shorts before moving to shells on Friday.
Gallery: (8-2-2023) Football Fall Camp - Day One
Gallery: (8-2-2023) Football Fall Camp - Day One
Despite featuring a roster with 60-plus newcomers who were not part of the 2022 Sun Belt championship squad, day one was a crisp workout that Sumrall has come to expect out of his program.
"It was really fun to get around them and watch what the starting point for this team is," Sumrall said. "It told them, 'The journey to a thousand miles starts with one step, and today was step one.' There are four phases to a football team. Phase one is winter workouts; phase two is spring practice; phase three is the summer and phase four is football season, which is why we do all the other work."
The reports all spring and summer were that senior quarterback Gunnar Watson was a new-look player, and he put that on display Wednesday along with receiver Jabre Barber, who is back at full speed after missing the bulk of 2022 with an injury.
"Gunnar is a completely different guy than a year ago," Sumrall said. "A year ago, this time, he really did not lead the team, and he was really leading himself just okay. Now he is leading himself at an elite level; he's changed his diet, his nutrition, his details in the weight program and he's also leading the team differently. At the midpoint of practice (offensive coordinator), Coach Craddock and I looked at each other and said 18 looks different and he's carrying himself different.
"Some of the usual suspects stood out today," Sumrall said. "Don Callis, our (transfer) cornerback, flashed today as a new guy and (freshman defensive end) Deshaun Batiste flashed, as well. There were so many new guys that I think a couple of times I was asking, 'Who's that number again?' but the household names that have been here forever and have played a lot of football, we know what we'll get out of them day in and day out."
Troy will return to work Thursday in helmets and shorts before moving to shells on Friday.
Players Mentioned
WR
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DE
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CB
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QB
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