Receivers Draw Praise on Day Two of Football Camp; Two Trojans Earn Watch List Nods

TROY, Ala. – Troy Football continued training camp Thursday morning with a two-hour workout in helmets and shorts almost identical to the one they went through in the camp opener on Wednesday.

"I thought the start of practice was a lot faster and crisper in regards to how we play the game," head coach Jon Sumrall said. "The tempo was better, and we were finishing plays a lot better than we did in yesterday's practice. Towards the end of practice, I thought we faded a touch, and we have to get tougher and understand that it's a four quarter game. The length of practice needs to resemble that, and our guys have to finish better at the end of practice."

Tomorrow will be Troy's first in pads following the NCAA's mandated acclimation period to open training camp.

"The physicality changes," Sumrall said. "You don't play football in t-shirts, so there will be pads on and pads popping. Physical and tough guys win games in football; a lot of guys show up when the pads are on that sometimes don't show up when we're in t-shirts and vice versa."

Receiver Room Starting to Shine
Despite losing two receivers who combined for 92 of Troy's 251 catches a year ago, Sumrall boasted about his receivers for a second straight day.

"Our receiver group is sticking out to me right now – Devonte Ross, Chris Lewis, Landon Parker, Marcus Rogers, Jabre Barber, Deshon Stoudemire, MJ Johnson and Peyton Higgins – a lot of guys that are finding a role and developing the depth of that room," Sumrall said.

Ross, Barber, Stoudemire and Rogers filled out spots three through six on Troy's receiving leaderboard last year, and Barber did so in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Johnson was a dynamic playmaker at Enterprise High School, where he finished his senior season with 19 all-purpose touchdowns, while Landon Parker (Wofford) and Chris Lewis (Kentucky) are both experienced transfers.

Ollie Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Senior tight end Clayton Ollendieck was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Thursday after representing Troy at last week's Sun Belt Conference Football Media Day.

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. National voters consider nominees from over 100 major universities. The Wuerffel Trophy brothers support each other's efforts around the country.

Named for Danny Wuerffel, 1996 National Championship winning quarterback of the University of Florida Gators – who is renowned for his commitment to service and leadership – The Wuerffel Trophy is the premier major college football award that places the majority of its voting emphasis on Community Service.

Skinner Selected to Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List
Another Trojan earned a watch list honor this week as senior long snapper Quentin Skinner was selected to the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List. The award, which is in its fifth season, is presented to the nation's top long snapper.

Skinner transferred to Troy before the 2022 season after starting at LSU and was solid for the Trojans on both field goal and punt snaps.

Gallery: (8-3-2023) Football Fall Camp - Day Two

Troy University Athletics

Receivers Draw Praise on Day Two of Football Camp; Two Trojans Earn Watch List Nods

Players Mentioned

Jabre Barber

Peyton Higgins

MJ Johnson

Chris Lewis

Clayton Ollendieck

Landon Parker

Marcus Rogers

Devonte Ross

Quentin Skinner

Deshon Stoudemire

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