Talented Trojans eye title
Troy returns strong lineup after bowl win
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Troy Neal Brown (14-11, entering third season; 14-11 overall)
10-3, 6-2 in Sun Belt, third in Sun Belt
Troy quickly figured out it had a talented team capable of accomplishing big things when the team scared eventual national champion Clemson the second week of the season. The Trojans fell 30-24 to the then-No. 2 Tigers and then won their seven games, thriving with a potent defense and prolific passing attack. Setbacks against then-No. 25 Arkansas State and Georgia Southern cost the team a chance to vie for the Sun Belt title. The Trojans closed out the year with a 28-23 win over Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl.
8 Melton, DL Baron Poole
QB Brandon Silvers returns help lead an offense loaded with talent. He was 293-of-460 passing for 3,189 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. He was held out of spring practice due to a hand injury, but there are no indications Silver will miss the upcoming season. He’ll get help from RB Jordan Chunn, who is coming off a big season and could take over as the school’s all-time leading rusher. RB Jamarius Henderson is another talented athlete with big-play potential. The deep receivers unit will be led by WR Emanuel Thompson and WR Deondre Douglas.
While the defense has lost some key leaders, the unit still returns seven starters from a lineup that tied for No. 21 nationally in scoring offense (22.1 points allowed per game.)
Amid questions about Silvers’ health, the Trojans have worked to plug key holes on the offensive line. AllSun Belt OL Antonio Garcia and OL Tyler Lassiter have left the program and the Trojans need others to help fill the considerable gaps.
DL Rashad Dillard won Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors and has exhausted his eligibility. The leader of the league’s No. 1 rushing defense recorded 36 tackles, 13.5 of them for a loss, and 7.5 sacks. His production won’t be easy to replace.
Despite a few departures, Troy has the talented needed to compete for a Sun Belt title. REST OF THE COUTNDOWN