Troy newcomers adjusting to college football

TROY — Chip Reeves was used to burning past the defense and carrying the ball the way he wanted to in high school.

Though the Troy freshman wide receiver from Stone Mountain, Ga., hasn’t fumbled it yet in practice, he quickly learned he can’t do what he wants to anymore.

“I knew nobody was going to take the ball away from me in high school,” Reeves said. “Coaches want me to hold the ball different. They’re trying to prevent it because if I fumble the ball, I won’t play.”

That’s life as a freshman in college football, especially one with talent like Reeves. Coaches are on them harder because they know the ability is there, but there’s a big learning curve.

It was like that with wideout Jerrel Jernigan last year, as the speedster really made his presence known in the second half of his freshman year. He’s expected to be one of Troy’s top threats this year.

“Chip’s got a lot of ability,” quarterback Jamie Hampton said. “He’s real fast. Just like with all freshmen, they have to learn the offense. There’s a certain level of extra coaching that they get because they have to learn it.

“They’ll try to correct him if he goes wrong. There may be a few choice words here and there, but that’s just college football.”

Reeves is working at the X-receiver, which is the far left spot of the offense. He was used to going deep every play in high school, but is learning more every day. He’s also getting plenty of reps with the first team offense and is expected to contribute this year.

“I never really ran short routes in high school,” Reeves said. “I’m getting it down pat right now and just trying to be a coachable player.”

Reeves isn’t the only newcomer who will play this year. Junior college transfer Tebiarus Gill is working himself into playing at the Z-receiver spot (far right).

Right now, freshman Chris Anderson is the No. 3 running back behind sophomore DuJuan Harris and senior Xavier Moreland, though junior college transfer Maurice Greer is making a push.

If Hampton were to go down to injury, freshman Dan Parker would get a look because of his speed.

The biggest impact offensive player could be one that isn’t known to fans. Tight end Donnie Crosby is listed at 6-foot-2 and 256 pounds. He’s a walk-on from Millbrook who originally signed with UAB, but then played at Arizona Western College.

With starter Travis Boyd out with a concussion, Crosby is getting an extra look. He could push Boyd and Matt Stidham to the H-back or second tight end spots.

“He runs good, catches the ball and he’ll mash you,” Blakeney said. “He adds a dimension to our running game that we haven’t really had.”
Defensively, cornerback Jorrick Calvin, a junior college transfer, is one of the top three cornerbacks. Safeties Kedric Manning and Daniel Sheffield are getting looks, as are freshmen corners Kejuan Phillips and Bryan Willis.

The top signee could be junior college transfer Mario Addison, a defensive end. But he could redshirt to preserve eligibility because seniors Brandon Lang and Kenny Mainor and junior Cameron Sheffield are playing well at that spot.

“He’s a guy that’s got all the tools and all the ability in the world,” defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said. “It’s up in the air. He’s got to make us not redshirt him.”

Brandon Boudreaux, a freshman that enrolled in the spring, is making a push at defensive end. True freshmen linebackers Jacoby Thomas and Kanorris Davis are battling for spots.

Rowell said that academic word on safety Michael Ricks, a junior college transfer, should come later this week. He still hasn’t gained eligibility, thus hasn’t started practicing yet.