Post-spring look: LINEBACKER
April 26, 2008
TOP GUYS: MLB - Boris Lee (Jr.), WLB - Bear Woods (Jr.)
TOP BACKUPS: MLB - Xavier Lamb (RFr.), WLB - David McDowell (Sr.)
TOP NEWCOMERS: Jacoby Thomas (Fr.), KaNorris Davis (Fr.)
Right now, Troy defensive coaches aren’t sure yet who will play the SAM linebacker position because they’re figuring out who the nickel back will be in the secondary, but there’s no question about it - Boris Lee and Bear Woods are the top linebackers.
Woods was the biggest surprise, and he’s starting to make the same transformation that former walk-ons Brannon Condren, Frankie Lloyd and Ryan Babb made into key starters on a defense that led Troy to a New Orleans Bowl win in 2006. Woods came to Troy as a walk-on in 2005. Woods may be listed as a senior, but he played just eight plays in the season opener in 2006, got injured, and didn’t play again. Troy will have to appeal for his fifth year and they should get it.
“He’s earned every bit of his starting spot,“ defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said. “I hope it will be his position to lose when fall camp starts.“
A few other linebackers - senior Trinidy Thomas and redshirt freshmen Lennie Richardson and Donnell Golden - will be the mix. Davis and Thomas are two highly-rated linebacker signees.
