Scott’s thoughts: analyzing Troy’s opening week depth chart
Football has finally arrived in Troy and with it comes a brand new era under head coach Chip Lindsey.
The first depth chart of the season was released on Monday and I’ll dive into it here. A new staff means a lot of new personnel changes on both sides of the ball. Schematic changes on offense and position switches on defense highlight the depth chart, which is attached below for reference:
Running back
Sophomore DK Billingsley has been a camp stud since Neal Brown’s last spring practice period and it was only a matter of time before the running back got his chance. Surpassing Jabir Frye on the depth chart, Billingsley has stood out to the new offensive staff, as well. Billingsley ran the ball 35 times for 148 yards as a freshman in 2018 and will likely see his total touches double this year.
As for Frye, don’t count him out just yet. The speedy vet has the perfect skill set for Lindsey’s offense and will get his fair share of opportunities on Saturday.
Wide receiver
As expected, the first three receivers out are Reggie Todd, Tray Eafford and Luke Whittemore. The Y receiver has an interesting two-deep of junior Sam Letton and JUCO transfer Kaylon Geiger. The two are completely different body types with Letton being 63 lbs heavier and four inches taller than Geiger.
Under Brown, the Y-receiver was a seldom used position similar to the tight end spot that yielded 25 career receptions for Letton. How Letton and Geiger will be used here under Lindsey will be something to keep an eye on.
Demontrez Brown, Bret Clark, Khalil McClain and Timmie Gibson round out the depth chart. That’s nine receivers in total, but don’t be surprised if at least 12 see game action on Saturday.
There is a tight end position and it’s headlined by redshirt freshman AJ Lewis. The Mobile native is also Zacc Weldon’s backup at fullback.
Offensive line
The starting five on the line is the only position group on the team that turned out exactly as expected before spring practice. Three freshmen have risen up from the bevy of inexperienced youth behind the starters and will serve as primary backups for the entire right side of the line, including the center.
Front seven
Hunter Reese, Tron Folsom, Tyler Murray, Trevon Sanders and Antione Barker are all gone. When a team loses six key players from its front seven, that’s usually bad. Probably not for Troy, though.
To fill Reese’s hole, Jarvis Hayes has been moved to bandit where his pass-rushing prowess can be completely unleashed from multiple locations along the line of scrimmage. Hayes had 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss sharing the defensive end spot last season.
Stepping into Hayes former role is Antonio Showers and John Hines. Showers had 3.5 tackles for loss as a backup bandit. Hines is a JUCO transfer who saw action in five games last season, recording one tackle.
On the inside, Troy is still loaded. Will Choloh takes the nose guard position, as expected, while they’ll likely go three deep at defensive tackle with Trevon Mathis, Travis Sailo and Marcus Webb. The three had six combined tackles for loss in reserve roles in 2018.
The other noticeable position change in the front seven is at spear, where former cat safety TJ Harris has been moved to replace Tyler Murray.
Secondary
This is where Troy is most thin. Brandon Hall has lost every corner back who played a significant amount of time at that position last year. Will Sunderland has moved from spear to outside corner while redshirt freshman O’Shai Fletcher steps up to fill the other spot.
True freshman Reddy Steward is going to see significant time, as will senior Jawon McDowell. Terence Dunlap remains out of the picture as we’ve yet to receive on update on his status (academics).
Junior Kyle Nixon is stepping into the role Cedarius Rookard left at free safety with the speedy true freshman Dell Pettus behind him. Captain Melvin Tyus has seemingly won the strong safety spot with Koby Perry’s mysterious exclusion.
Special teams
Tyler Sumpter.
Reggie Todd.