Signee profile: Cody Jenkins

June 07, 2009

By Drew Champlin

At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Cody Jenkins stands bigger than most Troy football players. But he’s already different than the majority of college freshmen. Jenkins showed up for summer classes and workouts at Troy last week sporting his wedding band. He and wife Melissa got married May 23, just two days after he graduated from Beauregard High School. The two have a daughter, 15-month-old Ka’Leigh. (photo credit Opelika-Auburn News)

DREW’S THOUGHTS: Jenkins is a big young man and it doesn’t look like fat, either. After a summer of strength and conditioning, he could put himself in position to see some playing time, even though that’s unusual for freshmen offensive linemen. He’ll play offensive tackle for the Trojans and with a shortage of healthy bodies coming out of spring, he’ll fight for a chance in the rotation. But with young kids, it depends on how they pick up the system. If you look at him, you wouldn’t think he’s just 18. He’s dealt with adversity in his high schol years but seems to be handling it the right way. He, his wife and daughter live in the dorms for married couples. They’ve been living together for a year raising Ka’Leigh, Jenkins said.

At what weight do you want to be playing?
300-305. I think the weight training’s going to make me do that.

What number do you want to be?
I was number 78 in high school. A number doesn’t really matter to me, it’s just how you play.

Where would you be if football wasn’t in the picture?
Honestly, probably nowhere. That’s the reason why I stayed in school. I just got in football about three years ago. I was about to quit school and a coach asked me to come out.

If Troy wasn’t in the picture, what school would you be at now?
Troy was pretty much it from the beginning. A lot of other schools came in, but I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

When did you realize Troy was right for you?
I talked to some of the coaches when they offered and I really wanted to come here.

Describe your playing style
Quiet until someone makes mad, and when I get mad ... I’m going to hurt somebody.

What makes you mad on the field?
Anything. Anyone downing me or downing my teammates.

Favorite food?
As big as I am, I don’t have a favorite food. Everything’s good for me.

Hobbies?
I don’t have much time for hobbies with football, school and my family. Every time I see football and basketball, I’m watching that.

Family activities?
We’ll go out and watch a movie or go bowling, go out to eat.

Freshman goals?
I’m hoping to play, but obviously for a freshman, the odds are against me, but I’m hoping that coming in early helps. My goal is to at least make the travel squad.

Major?
Education, so I can do football and teach.

***PHOTO NOTE - sorry, that’s all I could find. It’s him reacting after a loss.

Dothan Eagle recognizes two future Trojans

By Drew Champlin

We held our voting for Super 12 baseball and softball recently and released them this weekend.

SOFTBALL - Rehobeth’s Courtney Cherry, who signed with Troy last fall, was named Player of the Year for the second time in three years. She played shortstop at Rehobeth, one of the better Class 5A programs in the state, but I’m not sure where she’ll play at Troy. She’ll play, though.

BASEBALL - G.W. Long’s Cass Abercrombie was named Player of the Year. The four-year starter played infield and pitched for the Rebels, a perennial baseball power in the state. He’s a walk-on at Troy, but has a guaranteed spot on the 35-man roster. His summer coach, Sammy Frichter, is high on him as a pitcher. He should get a look at both when he’s at Troy.

From outfield to downfield (video)

June 04, 2009

By Drew Champlin

Former Trojan wideout Gary Banks is featured in this video presentation by Chargers.com talking about the transition from baseball back to football. He spent last season with the San Diego Chargers practice squad and hopes to make the 53-man roster this year.

Friday links

By Drew Champlin

HERE is the Phil Steele preseason all-Sun Belt team. He’s been my favorite magazine of this type for years and years, but listing Riley Dodge of UNT (a redshirt freshman) as a 3rd teamer over Levi Brown at 4th team is just plain moronic. Most of the rest of the guys are about right. Given that UNT is a very pass-happy offense and the fact that UNT will be down big in every game probably means that Dodge could throw for more yardage if he stays healthy, but he’ll triple Levi’s interception totals, at least.

But preseason teams are always fun to look at, even if I were to create one, and this is no different. He’s still got a lot of love for Maurice Greer, and hopefully Greer’s second year in the system will be a good one for him.

Ken Rogers covered the Larry Blakeney camp in Dothan. HERE is what he wrote about it.

Also, some Troy football players got involved with Habitat for Humanity. It’s a great cause and good to see quality young men like these guys volunteer their time.

I’m on furlough Friday and Saturday, which means I can’t respond to any work-related stuff until Sunday. By then I’ll have another Q and A up with a newcomer.

Signee profile: Antonio Harper

June 03, 2009

By Drew Champlin

One of the biggest, and definitely the most surprising, signee of Troy’s 2009 class was defensive end Antonio Harper (photo credit Memphis Commerical Appeal). Originally from Memphis, Harper signed with Miami, but had to go to Hargrave Military Academy last fall. Miami couldn’t take him, and Troy coaches secretly got in on him and were able to get him signed. Harper enrolled at Troy for the summer term.

DREW’S THOUGHTS: He’s not as big as his rivals.com and scout.com (and Troy’s defensive depth chart) lists him as, which is 6-foot-4, 230. He himself said he was about 6-foot-3 and 222. I didn’t catch how tall he was, as he came to sit down while I was talking to Caleb Massey. He doesn’t have the big hair like he did in that picture, which is close to two years old. I don’t think they allow that at Hargrave. Hopefully he’ll get to know Brandon Lang, who followed the same path Harper did. I don’t think he’ll play much this year, but I don’t think he’ll redshirt, either.

On the nickname ‘Yo-Yo’: “(I’ve had it) Basically forever. Ever since I was little.“

What number do you want to be? I want to be No. 7. That was my high school number. It’s like a lucky number for me.

How did Troy get in the picture? Miami dropped me like at the last minute, late January. Troy picked me up, gave me a second chance and I rolled with it.

What would you be doing if football wasn’t an option? I’d be trying to find a job.

Major? I really don’t know right now.

What if Troy wasn’t in the picture, where would you have gone? I don’t know. After Miami dropped me, Troy was the only school that came in.

On your semester at Hargrave: That was the worst semester I’ve ever had in school history. It was really hard. It’s a military school so it was really hard. Getting up at 6 in the morning. That was an experience right there.

Has your nocturnal clock stayed the same since leaving Hargrave? Still getting up early. I’m still getting up early and going to bed early.

Describe your play on the field: Active, real active.

Hobbies? I like to play video games (favorite game is Madden) and chill with friends.

Favorite player growing up? I used to watch Brian Urlacher. He’s a very good player.

What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you? I’m shy. People might not know I’m shy, but I am.