After four years at running back, Jabir Frye has found a new home for his final season

Heading into his fifth season at Troy, senior Jabir Daughtry-Frye is moving from one crowded room to another.

The veteran has switched positions and will be lining up at wide receiver in 2020. Specifically, Frye joins a talented group at slot receiver.

The move comes as an effort to get Troy’s active leader in all-purpose yards- 2,107- more involved in the offense. Frye averaged 6.4 touches per game last season, down from 6.8 the year before.

Frye already has 38 career receptions for nearly 400 yards, as well, and has lined up in the slot in past practices when depth stretched thin. For head coach Chip Lindsey, it only made sense to go ahead and make the switch as an added safeguard against injuries.

“We’re just trying to build some depth,” Lindsey said following Tuesday’s spring practice. “We’ve got five or six guys at running back. Jabir (Frye) we know can play that position. As you well know from last year, you never know what will happen during the season. So we’re going to give him some reps during the spring and see how it goes.”

For Frye, the move will help him even after he hangs up the cleats.

“I just look at it as another opportunity to learn a new position and add on to my experience,” Frye said. “I know at some point in time later down the road I want to be a coach so this will only help me.”

The slot position is currently filled by the Sun Belt’s leading returning receiver in Kaylon Geiger. The junior college hauled in 77 catches last season out of the slot, a position also manned by Tray Eafford and Bret Clark. That group alone produced 129 receptions in 2019.

“They’re trying to get me on the same page that they’re on even though I didn’t play the position last year,” Frye said. “Everybody is bringing me along well. I can’t do anything but thank those guys.”

This is the first time Frye is getting full-time reps at wide receiver in his career and Lindsey believes the senior will get the hang of it quickly.

“I think for him it’s just learning the details of the position and the adjustments versus the different coverages,” Lindsey said. “He’s really a smart guy. He’s into it and studies and prepares. I think he’ll be just fine.”

The Trojans were ravaged by injuries to the running back group in 2019, but have gained the services of Texas A&M transfer Charles Strong added early enrollee and three star prospect Kimani Vidal to the fold, as well, to compliment the return of BJ Smith.

Moving Frye out of the group not only frees up space in the backfield, but gives Lindsey some added options in the offense.

“He can line up at receiver and then also line up in the backfield and do what he’s always done,” Lindsey said. “I think it provides us some more flexibility in the offense.”

Frye isn’t the only veteran player to join the wide receiver group, either. Redshirt junior Orlando Lacey has made the switch, too, after spending the first three years of his career as a cornerback.

Lacey was an athlete coming out of high school, putting up gaudy numbers as a dual threat quarterback at Opp High School. The fourth-year player hasn’t been able to crack the rotation as a corner, though, and coaches want to put his athleticism to use.

“(Lacey) is natural over there,” Lindsey said. “His head is still spinning a little bit. He’s still learning what to do, but he’s shown flashes. I’m excited about Orlando. I think he can help our team.”

The two still have a few weeks of spring practice to hone their new craft before the annual T-Day game on April 4.