Trojans looking to iron out areas of concern

TROY — Only a couple of areas concern Troy head coach Larry Blakeney heading into fall camp, but they’re big ones.

Troy must replace first-round draft pick Leodis McKelvin and NCAA interceptions leader Elbert Mack at cornerback, and it must shore up its kicking game while likely having to rely on redshirt freshmen.

The Trojans reported for fall camp Monday. They’ll go through picture day and media training today and start practice Wednesday.

“Corner is the biggest void,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “Because you lose two All-America type players. The next one is the kicker/punter/kickoff guy because it’s going to be a guy who’s never done it.”

Senior Trevor Ford and junior Chris Bowens left spring as the top guys, but they’ll be challenged by junior college transfers Jorrick Calvin and Kedric Manning and freshman Bryan Willis.

“We’ve got to find out very quickly about all of them,” Blakeney said. “We’ll see who can contribute and find the best two or three.”

Ford and Bowens played sparingly last year but have been hampered by injuries.

“Ford’s never been a guy that has been well or something’s always out of place with him,” Blakeney said. “Bowens, I like him and he’s a good player but he’s never just lit it up.”

In the kicking game, Michael Taylor is slated to be the kicker and kickoff guy. Will Goggans is the No. 1 punter right now, but that position is still a concern.

“If we can’t figure out traditional punting, it might be best to go back to rugby-style punting, and Michael Taylor’s pretty good at that,” Blakeney said. “Goggans has to prove to me he can catch it and punt it.

“We’ve got a decision to make there.”

Personnel notes: Defensive back Demarcus Robertson, a junior college transfer, won’t enroll this fall because he has more classwork to finish. He’s scheduled to enroll in January. Safety Michael Ricks, another junior college transfer, must finish some course work but could be able to practice in a week.

Offensive lineman Kyle Wilborn, who was slated to grayshirt, will be a part of the team this fall and start out at right tackle.

“We’re thin at tackle after this year,” offensive coordinator Neal Brown said. “It was best to bring him in and let him go against (defensive ends) Brandon Lang,

Kenny Mainor and Cameron Sheffield every day. He’s probably looking at a redshirt.”

Wide receiver Tebiarus Gill finished his academic work and the 6-foot-2 junior will challenge for playing time immediately.

Quarterback Corey Robinson will grayshirt and enroll full-time in January to separate himself from the other quarterbacks, including fellow freshman Dan Parker, who could play this fall as he’s the only quarterback besides starter Jamie Hampton who can hurt defenses with his feet.

Wideouts Felton Payton and Gavin Ellis, offensive guard Jimmie Arnold and linebacker Johnny Thompson are grayshirting, though they’re able to work out and take part-time classes this fall.

“The quarterbacks have been saying some good things about (Payton) during the summer workouts,” Brown said. “He’s got good height but needs to put on some weight.”

Trim down: Defensive tackle Tim Lamb was one of the higher-profile recruits, but he’s got to get into better shape if he wants to play. The media guide lists him at 5-foot-11, 338 pounds.

“He’s fat,” Blakeney said. “But he’s a powerful guy.”

Blakeney said Lamb is around 320 pounds now and the hope is to get him down to 300 pounds this season.

Welcome to the family: Running backs coach Chad Scott and wife Shambrica welcomed daughter Kori Cherrell to the world July 23. Scott said she was born 10 days early but is healthy and at home.