Troy Spring Practice Notebook: Week One

Spring practice finally went underway this past week as the Troy Trojans officially begin a new era. Chip Lindsey and staff worked the team through 20-plus periods on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, installing the offense and spreading out developmental reps.

The team practiced in helmets on Tuesday and Thursday before putting on the pads Saturday.

Offensive Install

With Lindsey comes a new offensive system and the Trojans worked in something new in each of the first three practices. On Tuesday, Troy worked out of a Pistol set for the majority of team drills with plenty of pre-snap motion and misdirection involved.

A two-back shotgun set followed on Thursday that used the running backs in a variety of ways. Saturday’s focus was put on screens, mixing up running back screens with wide receiver screens.

The quarterback reps have been spread out nearly evenly thus far, with Sawyer Smith and Kaleb Barker typically the first two out.

“(The install) is going good, it’s going to take some work,” Smith said. “It’s kind of like learning a new language almost with everything going in.”

The defense, though using the same positions and bring back familiar coaches, has also introduced some new looks.

“The defense is running some new stuff so it’s kind of cool to see some different things,” Barker said.

Healthy Running Backs

Though BJ Smith worked in a yellow jersey on Tuesday and Thursday, he took it off for the first day of pads on Saturday. Jabir Daughtry-Frye is also enjoying a healthy spring, a refreshing change from past springs.

“I felt good coming out here being able to compete again,” Frye said. “Full-go, no yellow jersey, thank God.”

Having the two healthy and practicing is a big plus for the coaching staff, who is adding “pass catcher” to the tailback’s list of responsibilities.

When asked if Frye was excited about being involved in the pass game, Frye quickly said yes.

“It’s always nice to be able to showcase your hands as a running back because everybody thinks you just run the ball,” Frye said. “I think our running back group as a whole will be able to open some eyes.”

The difference between Tuesday and Saturday in terms of communication and being on the same page has been night-and-day, despite a new install coming each day.

“I feel like we’ve come a long way, as far as when coach first introduced the new terminology to us,” BJ Smith said. “We can see a difference and a very big improvement from the first spring practice.”

Sorting out the Wide Receivers

Troy is replacing its top three targets from 2018 but has a bevy of options to work with in practice. One-on-ones between defensive backs and receivers and 7-on-7 has been a prevalent practice component, setting a high competitive tone.

Multiple receivers have stood out early but the position battles are many. Junior college transfers Khalil McClain and Reggie Todd have been working with first team on the outside with Bret Clark and Bee Hinton swapping out at the slot.

Luke Whittemore has been an early standout, mainly working against Troy’s top cover DB in Terence Dunlap. Whittemore’s route running has been crisp and he’s made multiple impressive in-traffic receptions.

Tray Eafford and Timmie Gibson have moved between slot and outside receiver as the two quickest targets available. Every receiver has gotten a hefty amount of reps as Lindsey continues to evaluate the group.

“We need a lot of (receivers),” Lindsey said. “You can’t have too many the way we’re going to play.”

The competition between the receivers has been back-and-forth early, with Lindsey giving the defense the advantage on Saturday but the receivers the advantage on Thursday.

Lindsey mentioned on Saturday that he’ll begin whittling down the depth after practice six.

Thin at Defensive Line

The team, as a whole, is in good health. At defensive line, however, the Trojans are fairly limited. Three edge rushers are in green jerseys, as well as an interior lineman.

Jarvis Hayes, Antonio Showers, Rasool Clemons and Travis Sailo are all currently being held out of drills. Antoine Barker has been the first team defensive end while Kevin Nixon and Zo Bridges are splitting time at the bandit.

Safety Kyler Knudsen is another notable green jersey, allowing more reps for junior college transfer Koby Perry.