Top Troy Linebacker Fan Poll Results
Linebackers provide support for the run defense and help with the pass defense. Without them, that lack of hybrid support would lead the defense to suffer and give up yards.
Trojan fans have always supported the linebackers on defense and that is evident by the amount of votes that were submitted. Without further ado, here are the greatest linebackers in Troy history as voted on by fans.
Tier 3
1 vote (0.6%) – Marcus Richardson, Brannon Bryan
9 votes (5.3%) – Dale Watson
12 votes (7%) – Nick Colbert
13 votes (7.6%) – Leverne Johnson
15 votes (8.8%) – Shawn Stuckey
17 votes (9.9%) – Michael Herbert
19 votes (11.1%) – Willie Smith
20 votes (11.7%) – Anthony Henton
21 votes (12.3%) – Naazir Yamini
22 votes (12.9%) – William Lloyd
23 votes (13.5%) – Gerrick Pimienta
Tier 2
24 votes (14%) – Bernard Davis
25 votes (14.6%) – Bryan Hubbard
29 votes (17%) – Jimmy McClain
31 votes (18.1%) – Tron Folsom
35 votes (20.5%) – Robert Bradley, Stewart Lowery, Anthony Rabb
40 votes (23.4%) – Greg Wright
44 votes (25.7%) – Rick Maxey
Tier 1
61 votes (35.7%) – Tim Tucker
The 1978 All-American helped the Trojans to a 27-11-1 record during his four years in Troy. Weathering the transition from Byrd Wingham to Charlie Bradshaw, Tucker’s Trojans won the Gulf South Conference in 1976 and finished third place in 1978, despite having a better overall record than Jacksonville State and Southeastern Louisiana.
I asked the now Dr. Tucker about what it meant to him to be viewed as one of Troy’s best linebackers. He said it was very humbling, but immediately deflected praise from himself. “I had a great defensive line that kept the offense off of me and allowed me to make the tackles.” He also added, “I loved Troy football so much and it’s nice to be remembered and recognized.”
One of Tucker’s favorite memories was a game in 1977 against the #3 ranked Northern Michigan Wildcats. They were 7-1, but the Trojans came in on a 5 game win streak after 2 early losses. “We were definitely the underdog,” Tucker said, “At half time though, we had them 42-0. That was a special day. Our team played as a unit and we accomplished something that, on paper, we shouldn’t have been able to do.” As a result of the loss, Northern Michigan fell completely out of the poll the following week and wouldn’t return.
The lasting impact that Troy left on Dr. Tucker was that he and his fellow players were ready to line up and play with anyone. “When I played in the Blue/Grey Game, I played against players from Auburn, Alabama, Notre Dame, Tenneseee, and more. I led the team in tackles and was awarded the Defensive MVP for the South.” During his time in Troy, Dr. Tucker learned the importance of being well-rounded, academically and physically. He also added that it “doesn’t matter what the odds look like, do your job, work hard and success takes care of itself.”
73 votes (42.7%) – Kanorris Davis
Kanorris Davis was a part of two Sun Belt Championship teams and a New Orleans Bowl Championship. Even with two down years later in his career, he was a part of special teams that went 25-25, including Troy’s only undefeated Sun Belt record in 2009. When asked what it meant to be included in this list, Davis said, “It feels like an amazing feeling, especially after many of those fans became lifelong friends, whom I have the pleasure to be around during school events.”
I spoke with Kanorris about his time at Troy and he said that one of his favorite memories was every Trojan Walk and “getting to see all the families before heading to battle with my brothers.”
Davis said that the lasting impact Troy left on him is “that I needed them more than they needed me. Even though it’s not where I was born or raised, it was where I grew and gained strength I never knew I had. It left the impact that family is more important than greed.”
While Davis said he wishes he had been a better role model to students in the Troy City School system, he hopes that the impact he left on Troy is “that hard work can take you places if your will and belief remains strong.”
Kanorris Davis was definitely able to go places, signing as an undrafted free agents with the New England Patriots and the Toronto Argonauts (or Troy University Canada) before an injury cut short his career.
91 votes (53.2%) – Boris Lee
One of the “Legend’s of the Troy Defense, Boris Lee’s career at Troy is one of the best statistically in history. Along with his statistical accomplishments, Lee was the only Troy linebacker selected for the Sun Belt All-Decade team. His four All-Sun Belt selections coincided with four of Troy’s five straight Sun Belt Championships. Troy’s record with Lee in the defense was a phenomenal 33-18 with those 4 Championships and 1 bowl championship in 3 trips.
“It feels pretty amazing and made my day to be considered for this,” Lee said when I spoke with him about his inclusion.
When I asked him about his favorite memories of his time at Troy, he said without a doubt it was winning those titles. “Making history by basically being a team that everyone had to take serious was a great feeling. I was blessed to play 4 years with some very talented guys. We made each other better.”
He added, “Anytime you book the Trojans, be prepared to be in a dog fight.” He wasn’t wrong. During his time, Troy was involved in 7 games decided by 15 points or fewer against non-Sun Belt competition.
On the impact of Troy on him, Lee said, “It’s a place I can always go back to and feel at home. The memories there are some of the best feelings. I love seeing the pictures and signs showing that I was part of history in building the program.”
142 votes (83%) – Bear Woods
While Bear Woods’ name may not have appeared all over the Troy record books, he did find ways to appear all over the football field. Fans admired Woods for his tenacity and toughness on the field. Known as Killer B, the nickname morphed into a nickname for the defensive core that included the Legend himself, Boris Lee.
“I am so grateful for the endearing support from the greatest fans in all of college football, Trojan Nation.” Woods said.
I asked him about his favorite memory of his time at Troy. He said it was the 2008 game at Middle Tennessee State. “It was my first start at linebacker and Coach Blakeney chose me to be a game captain.
“I never saw that part coming at that point in my career,” he added. “The awesome goal line stand with Boris and that game set us up for a 14-1 Sun Belt record for my last two years.”
I asked Woods about what impact Troy had on him and he said, “Relationships are the most important parts of your journey. What matters most to me looking back is each and every relationship I had with teammates, coaches, staff, students, and fans. I mean, I did meet my wife at Troy!”
Woods hopes that his passion for Troy was felt while he was there. “Troy University is second to no one and I hope that mentality has been sustained.”
Even though the Florida native had time in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and a very successful stint in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts, Bear Woods does have one regret about his time at Troy. “I would have gone on summer tours with our band, The Nasty Nate Experience. The band consisted of only football players: “Nasty” Nate Nolin, Jacoby Thomas, Donell Golden, Sam Sellers, and myself. We were definitely campus legends!”
Check back next week for our ranking of the Best Defensive Backs in Troy History! As always, follow me on Twitter @BenOnSports for all your Troy History needs.