Troy University Athletics
Troy Position Previews - Cornerbacks
8/23/2024 8:37:00 AM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Cornerbacks coach Travis Pearson and defensive coordinator Dontae Wright have spent the offseason rebuilding Troy's cornerback room after the departures of 2022 and 2023 All-Sun Belt First Teamer Reddy Steward, long-time starter O'shai Fletcher and senior Don Callis.
The Trojans welcomed eight new faces to this position group this offseason, including four transfers, three true freshmen and a sophomore walk-on.
Staying in the Wiregrass
Damaje Yancey is one of the three returning cornerbacks from last season. Yancey, a senior from Long Beach, California, played in nine games in his first season with the Trojans. The senior defensive back did not see many defensive snaps (61) due to the depth of the cornerback room last season; however, Yancey made the most of his opportunity by snagging his first collegiate interception in the 76 Birmingham Bowl versus Duke.
Dorion Jackson is another returning corner from last season. The Wetumpka, Alabama, native redshirted after his freshman campaign, where he only saw action in the last four games of the regular season and the bowl game.
LJ Green, a redshirt freshman from Montgomery, Alabama, only saw action in the season opener against Stephen F. Austin last season. In high school, Green was ranked as a top 50 player in Alabama by ESPN and 247 Sports and was a consensus three-star recruit.
Welcome to Troy!
Trent Henry headlines the incoming transfer class. Henry, a junior from Miami, Florida, spent the first two seasons at Grambling State before coming to Troy. The 5-foot-11 corner finished his career as a Tiger with 23 total tackles, three pass break ups, three interceptions and a blocked kick.
Semaj James is transferring in from the JUCO level. James began his career at Fort Scott Community College as a receiver, hauling in 27 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns. After his freshman year, the Tallahassee, Florida, native transferred to Butler Community College, where he recorded 29 tackles, four pass break ups and half tackle for loss.
Jabari Strait is a junior transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The 6-foot-2 defensive back started his career with Dodge City Junior College in 2022 before becoming a Golden Norsemen. On3 ranked the McCalla, Alabama, native as the No. 13 JUCO cornerback in the country and a three-star recruit.
JaQueraius Thomas rounds out the transfers from this past offseason. Thomas has yet to see any game action after two seasons at Shorter University.
Rounding out the Room
Marlin Odom, a true freshman from Lucedale, Mississippi, comes into Troy as a consensus three-star recruit. 247 Sports and On3 ranked Odom as a top 35 player in Mississippi and 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 100 cornerback in the nation. The 6-foot-2 defensive back played on both sides of the ball for George County High School and finished with 902 all-purpose yards on offense, six receiving touchdowns, nine pass break ups, one interception that was returned for a touchdown and three forced fumbles.
247 Sports ranked incoming freshman Shemar Welch as a three-star recruit from McGill-Toolen High School. The Mobile, Alabama, native was ranked as the No. 75 player in the state of Alabama and was a track star in high school. Welch is a former Alabama indoor state champion in the high jump, triple jump and long jump.
EJ Hall, a 5-foot-11 corner from Tuskegee, Alabama, was a star for Booker T. Washington High School. The two-way athlete finished his high school career with more than 10,000 all-purpose yards, more than 90 touchdowns and 15 career interceptions. Hall also earned all-state honors last season after helping lead his team to the Alabama 4A Final Four.
Lamar Croskey wraps up this season's cornerback room as it stands. Croskey is a sophomore from Pinson, Alabama, who played for Clay-Chalkville High School. In his high school career, the 5-foot-8 corner had eight interceptions, 72 tackles and 12 pass break ups. Croskey was named to the AHSAA All-State Second Team in his senior year.
The Trojans welcomed eight new faces to this position group this offseason, including four transfers, three true freshmen and a sophomore walk-on.
Staying in the Wiregrass
Damaje Yancey is one of the three returning cornerbacks from last season. Yancey, a senior from Long Beach, California, played in nine games in his first season with the Trojans. The senior defensive back did not see many defensive snaps (61) due to the depth of the cornerback room last season; however, Yancey made the most of his opportunity by snagging his first collegiate interception in the 76 Birmingham Bowl versus Duke.
Dorion Jackson is another returning corner from last season. The Wetumpka, Alabama, native redshirted after his freshman campaign, where he only saw action in the last four games of the regular season and the bowl game.
LJ Green, a redshirt freshman from Montgomery, Alabama, only saw action in the season opener against Stephen F. Austin last season. In high school, Green was ranked as a top 50 player in Alabama by ESPN and 247 Sports and was a consensus three-star recruit.
Welcome to Troy!
Trent Henry headlines the incoming transfer class. Henry, a junior from Miami, Florida, spent the first two seasons at Grambling State before coming to Troy. The 5-foot-11 corner finished his career as a Tiger with 23 total tackles, three pass break ups, three interceptions and a blocked kick.
Semaj James is transferring in from the JUCO level. James began his career at Fort Scott Community College as a receiver, hauling in 27 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns. After his freshman year, the Tallahassee, Florida, native transferred to Butler Community College, where he recorded 29 tackles, four pass break ups and half tackle for loss.
Jabari Strait is a junior transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The 6-foot-2 defensive back started his career with Dodge City Junior College in 2022 before becoming a Golden Norsemen. On3 ranked the McCalla, Alabama, native as the No. 13 JUCO cornerback in the country and a three-star recruit.
JaQueraius Thomas rounds out the transfers from this past offseason. Thomas has yet to see any game action after two seasons at Shorter University.
Rounding out the Room
Marlin Odom, a true freshman from Lucedale, Mississippi, comes into Troy as a consensus three-star recruit. 247 Sports and On3 ranked Odom as a top 35 player in Mississippi and 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 100 cornerback in the nation. The 6-foot-2 defensive back played on both sides of the ball for George County High School and finished with 902 all-purpose yards on offense, six receiving touchdowns, nine pass break ups, one interception that was returned for a touchdown and three forced fumbles.
247 Sports ranked incoming freshman Shemar Welch as a three-star recruit from McGill-Toolen High School. The Mobile, Alabama, native was ranked as the No. 75 player in the state of Alabama and was a track star in high school. Welch is a former Alabama indoor state champion in the high jump, triple jump and long jump.
EJ Hall, a 5-foot-11 corner from Tuskegee, Alabama, was a star for Booker T. Washington High School. The two-way athlete finished his high school career with more than 10,000 all-purpose yards, more than 90 touchdowns and 15 career interceptions. Hall also earned all-state honors last season after helping lead his team to the Alabama 4A Final Four.
Lamar Croskey wraps up this season's cornerback room as it stands. Croskey is a sophomore from Pinson, Alabama, who played for Clay-Chalkville High School. In his high school career, the 5-foot-8 corner had eight interceptions, 72 tackles and 12 pass break ups. Croskey was named to the AHSAA All-State Second Team in his senior year.
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