Some Tuesday notes
August 19, 2008
Spoke with head coach Larry Blakeney and defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell briefly. No new news, but here’s what’s going on.
On Michael Ricks: Still haven’t heard anything, waiting to hear from his JUCO.
On Josh Jarboe: Troy’s waiting to hear back from the NCAA on the waiver it put in to seek his eligibility for this year. Obviously OU accepted him admission, my guess is maybe they did all that prior to his youtube stardom and couldn’t reverse it. Now, it’s on the NCAA’s shoulders. “We’re trying to teach him the offense,” Blakeney said. “We’re not relying on the waiver. It’s a great thing if they allow him to play this year.”
On Chris Anderson: Troy’s waiting for clearance from the NCAA for the freshman running back. All the stuff’s been turned in, all Troy coaches believe he’s eligible, but he’s being held out of practice until the NCAA says he’s OK. “He’s a guy we need,” Blakeney said. “He’s been here, he’s worked hard and he’s eligible if they accept the same thing that they’ve accepted from hundreds of other kids down in South Florida (Anderson is from Fort Lauderdale).”
Now, we’re getting into the who redshirts/who doesn’t. Linebackers Jacoby Thomas and Kanorris Davis are on the scout teams, with still a lot to learn mentally though the physical presence is there. James Searcy has the best chance to play early among the DL, but he’s still got a lot to learn mentally. He’s working at defensive tackle. Mario Addison is the big question mark. He’s very good, but Troy has three very good DEs already with Brandon Lang, Kenny Mainor and Cameron Sheffield.
“The thing I don’t want to do is hold him out for half a season then start playing him,” Blakeney said. “He certainly has explosive ability. I’m not a big redshirt guy, but I’d like to get the best two years out of a guy for him and for the team.”
Wideout Tebiarus Gill is working with the scout team and has been slowed by nagging injuries. Chip Reeves is listed second on the depth chart and he’s got a chance to progress like Jerrel Jernigan did last year.
Story for tomorrow will focus on how Troy is preparing for Middle Tennessee.
