The players: Wide Receiver
July 18, 2010
By Drew Champlin
This is a third in a series as we lead into the start of fall practice, which begins Aug. 2. We’ll examine nearly every player on the roster and what role they may have this season. Players who haven’t reported for summer classes won’t be included, so there may be a few guys left out that will be here in time for practice.
We have a lot of receivers to look at, so if I missed someone, please let me know or ask about it. I can tell you there’s a lot of talent, proven talent, at this position, but not enough balls to go around. Don’t take that as a bad chemistry issue, just take it as a “some very good players won’t be putting up all-conference stats, but there’s enough playmaking ability on offense that can bring home another championship.“
SENIORS
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Jerrel Jernigan could be the best player in the league. There’s not much I need to tell you other than it’ll be time to check career school and conference record books throughout the season.
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Jason Bruce will start at the Z-receiver after being Jernigan’s backup as a JUCO transfer last year. He came on late in the year and really made some plays in the spring. If Jernigan got hurt, Bruce could step in and the offense wouldn’t miss too much. I’m that high on Bruce and think he’ll have a very good year.
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TeBiarus Gill comes back as the starter at the X-receiver. He was Troy’s second-leading receiver last year and is the big, physical presence to compliment the speedsters. He had a couple of games last year late where he suffered from the drops, but Gill’s as good as a receiver as anyone in the league.
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Austin Silvoy became a starter at the Y before he even played in a game and played well for the first 3-4 games of his career in 2007 before injuries sidetracked him. He was a backup the past two seasons, but played a lot. He goes into the fall as the starter but will probably split snaps with
Brett Moncrief.
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Donnie Crosby should be the starter at tight end after seeing minimal action last year. He’s probably not the blocker that last year’s starter,
Travis Boyd was, but probably a better receiver. The tight end normally takes the place of the Y (either Silvoy or Moncrief) in the offense, but Crosby should catch a few balls.
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Jonathan Chandler is the ultimate team guy who has a better chance to play at WR this year than he has in the past two years, but his snaps will probably be limited. I hope he scores a TD this year, though, because he’s a good guy who has stuck around and worked his butt off to contribute.
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Matt Stidham is listed as a senior on the TroyTrojans.com roster. I thought he was a junior, but may be wrong. He was held out of spring ball after shoulder surgery and he’s likely going to be Crosby’s backup.
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