Troy 2014 Spring Football Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

The team really has two strengths going into 2014 – the ability to run the ball and a great set of linebackers.

In spring, a lot of the major contributors to the offensive line missed several practices with injuries (most not serious), but should they all be healthy in August, they bring plenty of experience.

Every running back that contributed last year (Brandon Burks, Jordan Chunn, Daron White and Khary Franklin) is back, and Troy gets to add redshirt freshmen Tim Longmire and Josh Anderson to the mix. Both of them looked equally impressive in spring drills. To tell you how good this group is, I think if Troy coaches decided that they wanted to run the triple option, they could make the change by the fall.

Meanwhile, last year’s linebacking corps was solid, and every single one of them return. Troy also gets Sam Lebbie, a former four-star prospect that originally signed with West Virginia, back. Lebbie was expected to contribute last year, but he injured his knee in August and took a redshirt. He showed no real ill effects from the injury this spring and could be the next great defensive playmaker to come from Troy, the same university that produced Demarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora.

As far as questions marks that remain, the quarterback battle will likely last until the last week in August as four guys – Brandon Silvers, Dontreal Pruitt, Dallas Tidwell and Connor Bravard – vie to replace Corey Robinson, who owns virtually every single Sun Belt and school passing record. Silvers and Pruitt, the NJCAA first-team All-American last year, may have broken away from the other two late in spring, but the battle between them will likely heat up in August once Pruitt learns more of the offensive system.

Defensively, the Trojans have to replace several good defensive linemen plus two safeties. We will not know more about these positions until August, when Troy’s recruiting class comes into town. That class is heavy on junior college defensive linemen and defensive backs.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

I think nickelback Jeremy Spikner had a pretty impressive spring as Troy begins to implement some zone coverages to help that much-maligned pass defense out. Spikner seemed to adjust to that pretty quickly and has great skills reading the quarterback.

Lebbie could make a huge impact, as can backup linebacker Terris Lewis if he gets enough playing time.

Offensively, despite his height, I think Chandler Worthy could have a breakout year at wide receiver, while Anderson could be a go-to guy in the red zone.

Grade each position group

QB – incomplete.  We’ll know more when the battle solidifies in August.

RB (including FB):  A-   Burks is bigger and stronger. Chunn, who rushed for 14 touchdowns, could even be better. Longmire and Anderson add a pair of weapons to a deep corps.

WR: B+   This is because coaches still feel like they are missing a piece or two. Worthy is a bit short (5-foot-9) for a primetime guy, but he is a playmaker when healthy. JUCO transfer Jarvis Bentley (6-foot-5) will be a weapon in the red zone. Bryan Holmes has plenty of speed to burn on the other side. K.D. Edenfield and Clark Quisenberry are solid inside.

OL: incomplete   Too many injuries to tell just from spring, but Terrence Jones is an all-Sun Belt selection at right tackle and Ole Miss transfer Ethan Hutson will likely anchor the other side at left guard.

DL:  based on spring, B+  The group will be supported by a heavy dose of JUCO talent in the fall, so some movement on the depth chart can be expected. Troy has always been great with defensive linemen (Umenyiora, Ware, Steve McLendon and Johnathon Massoquoi are in the NFL), so the unit should be primed and ready to go by the first game. Defensive end Tyler Roberts could very well join the list of NFL players from Troy in the future.

LB: B   Starting middle linebacker Mark Wilson practiced but did not participate in scrimmages, but his leadership will be key. Mitchell Roland and Lebbie provide him with great backup. Wayland Coleman-Dancer had a good spring on the outside, and Lewis is a playmaker waiting in the wings.

DB: C+  This unit has the farthest to come but shows some promise from young talent like JaQuadrian Lewis and Montres Kitchens – should he recover well from a late injury in spring practice.

Special teams: B   They had a rough final scrimmage, but punter Ryan Kay has a strong leg and kicker Jed Solomon was solid on field goals. The kickoff return game needs improvement overall, but the Trojans will get NJCAA first-team All-American at kick returner Teddy Ruben in the fall.

What can we expect from Troy in 2014?

I think the team, should the influx of the junior college talent pan out, should be a bit better than last seasons 6-6 team. A quarterback battle can cause some to be a little leery, but the running game is strong with this team. If the defense improves just a bit, this is at least an eight-win team.

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Jeremy Wise, the Troy beat writer for The Dothan Eagle, provided the information for our Troy Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Trojan football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Jeremy on Twitter @DEwiseTrojan. 

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