Troy recruiting starting to hit high gear

Troy’s recruiting is starting to hit high gear, as the first official visitor for the Trojans’ 2009 class is expected to be Josh Brown, a defensive back from St. Petersburg, Fla.

Troy has five players from last season’s class grayshirting, two sitting out as partial qualifiers and two more junior college athletes who didn’t qualify, but are expected to enroll in January (see list below).

Offensive coordinator Neal Brown said the strength of the offensive class will be on the line, with five players departing. Tackle is an important need, with only junior Nic Riley and true freshman Kyle Wilborn returning next season. Steven Adams, Troy’s starter at right guard, is athletic enough to play tackle, Brown said.

“O-line is the definite focus,“ Brown said. “We need to sign a few guys who can help us immediately at tackle.“

Troy could add five additional linemen, another running back and two more receivers to go with its grayshirting crop. With five quarterbacks already on scholarship for next season, it’s unlikely the Trojans will add another signal-caller. At wideout, two of its biggest newcomers for next season are redshirting this year - freshman Josh Jarboe and junior college transfer Tebiarus Gill.

“We need size at our outside receiver position,“ Brown said. “We’re looking for speed there also and the best running back available.“

On defense, look for Troy to add depth on the interior defensive line and in the secondary.

“We’re losing three senior defensive tackles,“ defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator Randy Butler said. “That’s huge for us. Obviously safety’s huge for us.“

Troy’s 2009 class, including current commitments, could include two defensive ends, four or five tackles, four safeties and three corners. With every linebacker returning plus one who is sitting out this year as a partial qualifer and one more grayshirt, it’s unlikely Troy adds one there.

Verbal commitments are non-binding until National Signing Day, which is Feb. 4, 2009. Official visits are subject to change at the last minute also.

Jay Stansberry, OT, Bremen, Ga.
Nate Newland, OT, Hutchinson, Kan. CC
Jimbo Arnold, OG, Belle Glade, Fla. (2008 GRAYSHIRT)
Felton Payton, WR, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (2008 GRAYSHIRT)
Gavin Ellis, WR/TE, Cullman, Ala. (2008 GRAYSHIRT)
Corey Robinson, QB, Lone Oak, Ky., (2008 GRAYSHIRT)
Chris Anderson, RB, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., (2008 PARTIAL QUALIFER)

Eugene Kinlaw, DT, Hutchinson, Kan. CC
Immanuel Dudley, DT, Northeast Miss., CC
Montavious Williams, DT, Cairo, Ga.
Riley Flowers, DT, Jones County Miss. CC
Shermane Teart, DE, Orlando, Fla.
Demarcus Robertson, CB, Garden City, CC (2008 RESIGN)
Michael Ricks, DB, NE Mississippi (2008 RESIGN)
Johnny Thompson, LB, Valley, Ala. (2008 GRAYSHIRT)
Kanorris Davis, LB, Perry, Ga., (2008 PARTIAL QUALIFER)