TROUTMAN

that the once little-known linebacker was offered scholarships to both schools.

“I was humbled, and I was really surprised,” Troutman said. “I kind of had to gather my thoughts. … I would never think that they would even want me to play there. I always knew I could play at that level, but now it’s the recruiters seeing that I can play at that level.”

Troutman has nearly 20 scholarship offers, with Power 5 schools such as FSU, Miami, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Minnesota and West Virginia all on board.

“Don’t take this as me picking, but I like Minnesota, Miami, Florida State, West Virginia and there are a couple more, but those are some I’m interested in,” Troutman said. “For me, picking a school is all about where I feel comfortable and where I feel like I can succeed, not only on the field but also in the classroom.”

UCF has yet to offer Troutman a scholarship, which he said was a bit surprising.

“I’m not sure if I would necessarily go there, but it would be nice,” Troutman said of a UCF offer. “The coach who used to recruit me on a consistent basis, coach [Jeff ] Lebby, he left.”

Much of the attention he has gained can be attributed to Edgewater’s run to the statetitle game this past season. The Eagles lost a heartbreaker in the Class 7A championship, falling 28-23 to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

Troutman led the Eagles with an average of 10 tackles per game. He also had 11 tackles for a loss, one sack, a fumble recovery and three pass deflections.

“It helped, not only me, but the whole team, tremendously,” Troutman said of the Eagles’ strong season. “Just the experience helped us mature and gave us an opportunity to prepare for those kinds of situations in the future.”

Troutman is hoping to add a little more size before college, but he knows his athleticism will allow him some versatility. He’s active and constantly on the football.

“I’ve always had a nose for the football,” Troutman said. “I have to be making the play or on the play because I feel like if we’re all not thinking like that, then we’re not gonna make the play.”

With spring football practice canceled because of the coronavirus, players face challenges trying to improve. Troutman, however, can at least say he made some money while doing a potato-packing job that likely helped build his strength.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I just wanna get back on the field,” Troutman said. “But due to this corona stuff, we’ll just have to wait it out.”