Troy notes: Trojans counting on young linebackers

Troy linebacker Donnell Golden (33) reacts after a tackle in last Saturday's scrimmage.

By: Drew Champlin | Dothan Eagle
Published: August 12, 2008

TROY — It’s no secret that junior Boris Lee is expected to produce for Troy’s defense.

“He’s up to 230 pounds,” linebackers coach Benjy Parker said at Troy’s media day. “He finally looks like a linebacker. I’m looking for Boris to have a big year.”

The other starters are set, too. Junior Bear Woods walked on to Troy as a quarterback in 2005, but saw some time as a reserve after moving to linebacker. His patience has paid off, and he’ll be the No. 1 Will (weakside) linebacker. Senior David McDowell is the starter at the Sam (strongside) spot, but he’ll rotate with nickel back Terence Moore when teams try to spread Troy’s defense out.

While there’s plenty of experience at the top, there’s none behind it. Troy’s top backups are expected to be freshmen, as redshirts Donnell Golden and Xavier Lamb will be counted on.

Golden forced a fumble in Saturday’s scrimmage that was returned for a score.

“He’s starting to come on,” Parker said. “I expect Donnell to get a lot of snaps this year. Xavier had a really good spring and he’s had a good camp so far.”

Parker is high on three true freshmen — Jacoby Thomas, Kanorris Davis and Rod Winston. Thomas had six tackles in the scrimmage, Davis has been hampered by minor injuries and Winston is a walk-on.

No doubt the trio can bring good things to the Troy defense, but likely not in 2008.

“Their heads are spinning because we’re throwing a lot at them,” Parker said. “We throw a lot at them early because it’s tough at that position. I think all three will be really good football players before they leave here.”

RG battle still ongoing: Troy is still looking for a starting right guard. The top candidates appear to be seniors Wes Potter and Steven Merkel.

“It’s not like we can’t find anybody,” offensive line coach John Schlarman said. “We just want to make sure we get the best one to help us win games.”

Senior Will Chambliss and junior Steve Adams are rotating backups that could help there. Redshirt freshman Micah Grimes “has come a long way from where he was this time last year,” Schlarman said.

More back than you think: Leodis McKelvin took his kick return skills to the NFL, but that unit isn’t lacking experience.

“We also had 10 other guys blocking for him,” special teams coach Shayne Wasden said. “Most of those guys are back.”

Sophomores Jerrel Jernigan and DuJuan Harris will return kicks, while junior college transfer Jorrick Calvin will return punts.

Sam Sellers, Patrick Cherry, Bryant McKissic, Courtland Fuller, Trinidy Thomas, Travis Boyd, Nate Nolin and Bear Woods return from last year’s kick return team.