Hutchinson Community College duo set for Troy in 2009

Nate Newland and Eugene Kinlaw first signed with Troy in February 2007. But both fell short on the academic side and had to begin their careers at Hutchinson, Kan., Community College.

Both Newland, an offensive tackle, and Kinlaw, a defensive lineman, said Tuesday that they would resign with Troy in February 2009.

Newland, who said he was 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, is from Frankfort, Ky., was short on his ACT so he had to go the junior college route. He said Thursday night that he’ll resign with Troy and he hopes to finish his coursework at Hutch by December so he can enroll in Spring 2009 and have three years to play two for the Trojans.

Newland started at right tackle last season and he’s in line to start there again this year, but Troy coaches have talked about him taking over at left tackle. Chris Jamison, a starter this year, is a senior.

Newland’s high school coaches knew Tony Franklin (now offensive coordinator at Auburn) and Troy offensive coordinator Neal Brown. He’s also visited with Troy offensive line coach John Schlarman and is being recruited some by Troy defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell, who recruits the junior colleges in Kansas.

“I think they’re real nice guys,“ Newland said. “Of course everything changes when it comes to being on the field. I see myself having a good relationship with them.“

Newland said his high school coach told him that Kentucky is a school that’s now interested in him, but he’s sticking with Troy.

“(UK) wanted to see film on me,“ Newland said. “I’m not really worried about that because Troy stuck with me and worked with me on my grades. I’d hate to stab them in the back.“

Newland will be joined at Troy by Eugene Kinlaw, his friend at Hutchinson who also signed with Troy. Now, Kinlaw is a 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle who intends on returning to Troy in June 2009. Kinlaw is a Homerville, Ga., native.

“For one, I wanted to get out of Georgia,“ Kinlaw said. “My home boy, he’s there and I wanted to play with him.“

The home boy is linebacker Boris Lee, one of the top linebackers in the Sun Belt and one of Kinlaw’s best friends from Homerville.

Georgia recruited Kinlaw early, but backed off due to grade point average concerns. Now, Kinlaw says he has that under control and is ready to go to Troy.

“My style of play is just to dominate the quarterback,“ Kinlaw said.