Depth chart released before home showdown against Nevada
Troy Trojans football team is ready to defend their Sun Belt Conference Championship, but a new roster and tough schedule stands in the way.
Troy returns the third least starting talent in the entire NCAA, while also supporting a brand-new coaching staff. On top of the roster and staff overturn, Troy’s conference mates have improved making the Trojans’ schedule not as easy for this season. Troy’s non-conference schedule is the toughest it has been in three seasons featuring home games against Nevada and HBCU champion Florida A&M, while also travelling to playoff hopefuls, Memphis and Iowa.
The new roster has plenty of talent, but with minimal experience compared to the teams the Trojans will face this season. Newly appointed starting quarterback Goose Crowder will make his first collegiate start against Nevada in week one. Crowder has plenty of offensive weapons surrounding him including returning players Damien Taylor and Devonte Ross.
Transfer running back Gerald Green gets to handle the rock as the starter this season. Taylor is behind him after posting 346 yards and one touchdown sitting behind Kimani Vidal last year.
Unlike the backfield group, Troy’s wideout room has seen some major overturn. With the departure of Jabre Barber and Deshon Stoudemire, Ross steps into the primary role as wide receiver. The junior finished last year with 428 yards and three touchdowns. Surrounding Ross is returning talent Landon Parker and Peyton Higgins, along with transfers Zeriah Beason and Marquez Dortch. Tight end Ethan Conner also returns after a stellar junior campaign last year.
The strongest position group on Troy’s offense is the offensive line. The Trojans return starters Eli Russ and Daniel King, while getting Tavon Matthews back from injury. King was named preseason All-Sun Belt First team and found himself on several award watchlists. Russ returns at center finding himself on the conference preseason second team.
On the complimentary side of the line of scrimmage, the defensive line lost a lot of talent with the departure of Javon Solomon and Richard Jibunor. Junior Luis Medina has the most experience on the D-Line but finds himself in a starting role for the first time. Another junior, Julian Peterson, looks to help balance that D-Line and become that two-man wrecking crew Troy has been known for on defense the last few seasons.
Unlike the defensive line, the linebackers return plenty of starting talent. A lot of the linebackers double as edge rushers and will see action on the line of scrimmage as well as the middle of the field. Senior Raymond Cutts returns to the starting lineup after having 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season. His counterpart, junior Phillip Lee, returns to the rotation after a season-ending injury against Texas State last year.
Jordan Stringer and Terry Thomas highlight the linebacker group. Thomas started nine games in the 2023 season - the most on the team - finishing with 41 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Stringer started the final six games of the season putting up 68 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
Gardner-Webb transfer Brendan Jackson brings senior leadership to the position group. Jackson finished with 71 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in his junior year. Jackson also doubled as a trick play specialist, rushing for four touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
The weakest position group in returning talent is the defensive back room. With the departure of Reddy Steward and O’Shai Fletcher, senior corner Damaje Yancey has stepped into a leadership role. The loss of Dell Pettus also left a hole in the safety room, but plenty of young talent sits waiting for their opportunity to shine.
That opportunity is coming sooner rather than later. On Saturday, Aug. 31, Troy welcomes Nevada into Veterans Memorial Stadium. Nevada already has a game under their belt after a 29-24 loss against SMU in their week zero game in Reno.
Nevada’s defense played well, holding the high-octane SMU offense to only 17 rushing yards in the first half. The front seven for the Wolfpack wreaked havoc all game – most notably senior linebacker Tongiaki Mateialona. Mateialona finished the game with eight tackles and two pass deflections.
SMU quarterback Preston Stone was under duress the entire game, but Nevada was still never able to get a sack on the opposing quarterback. Nevada could not find a way to stop the Mustangs tight end, RJ Maryland, who finished the game with 162 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolfpack offense looked stagnant most of the game but was gifted many opportunities thanks to an undisciplined SMU defense. Dual-threat quarterback Brendon Lewis went 14-for-26 for 132 yards and two touchdowns while also scrambling for 77 yards. The Wolfpack ran a double running back scheme with Sean Dollars and Savion Red sharing equal carries.
Despite the loss, Nevada covered the 22.5-point spread with ease, a feat many thought the Wolfpack was not capable of. Troy opens this weekend as a 9.5-point favorite with 76.4% chance to win according to ESPN. The season opener kicks off at 6 p.m. on Aug. 31.
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