Top Troy Quarterback Fan Poll Results

First of all, let me say a big thank you to all of the people who read my ranking of The Best Quarterbacks in Troy History and voted in our poll.

Today, we will reveal the results of our poll from the lowest vote getters to our winners. I also reached out to our highest vote getters and talked with them about this honor and what Troy means to them.

The Rest

#15 – Carey Christensen – 50 votes (14.9%)

#13 – Kelvin Simmons  & Hansell Bearden – 53 votes (15.8%)

#12 – Stan Davis – 55 votes (16.4%)

#11 – Willie Tullis – 70 votes (20.8%)

#10 – Bubba Marriott & Al Head – 86 votes (25.6%)

#8 – Brock Nutter 89 votes (26.5%)

# 7 – Bobby Lee – 92 votes (27.4%)

The Best

#6 Omar Haugabook – 121 votes (36 %)

Omar’s style of play mixed perfectly with the new spread offense brought to Troy by Tony Franklin in 2006. Omar had the ability to make difficult passes, but could also run successfully. When asked about his favorite memories from his playing days, Haugabook was quick to say there were plenty, but none more so than the Miracle in Murfreesboro.

“There is one that sticks out most: The Middle Tennessee game. Probably one of the greatest comeback victories in Troy University history,” Haugabook said, “That win set us up for a bowl game.” More than just a bowl game, the win over MTSU started a run of 5 consecutive Sun Belt Championships for the Trojans, and a win over Oklahoma State in 2007. Haugabook had 371 yards through the air during that game, along with another 49 on the ground.

With respect to his legacy though, Haugabook believed his inclusion in this poll was “a great honor. It’s been a long time since playing for Troy and it’s good to know fans still remember #17.”

Omar also hoped that fans remember that he played the game the right way and he believes Troy is a place he calls home. “Troy is my family!”

#5 Brandon Silvers – 150 votes (44.6%)

Brandon Silvers represented a solidification of the skills and traits that have become so prized in Troy quarterbacks over the last decade and a half. Silvers put together these skills in such a way to lead Troy to success on the field.

Proving to be a prolific passer and an adept runner in Coach Neal Brown’s offense, Silvers guided the Trojans to their first Sun Belt Championship in seven years and the first national ranking at the FBS level.

Notable wins during Silver’s tenure included the win over #25 LSU, comeback wins over South and App State, as well as, two bowl wins. For what it did for Troy’s national recognition, one might even stretch “wins” to include the Trojans’ 30-26 moral victory against eventual National Champion Clemson in 2016.

Brandon Silvers could not be reached for comment.

#4 Corey Robinson – 152 votes (45.2%)

No one in Troy history has left such an indelible mark on the Troy record books as Corey Robinson. While his win totals don’t match those of the others on this list, Robinson’s ability behind center is without question.

I spoke to Corey about his time at Troy and he stated that he really enjoyed being able to compete with the big schools and never backing down. Judging from his records, the Bazooka from Paducah certainly never did.

When asked how he felt about being included in such company, Robinson said he was both blessed and thankful.

“The ability to be able to translate the game of football to the next generation of athletes.” That was the lasting impact that Robinson believed Troy left on him. As for his impact on Troy, “I hope that I showed 2 and 3 stars are just as talented as the 4 and 5 stars, if they have heart and work hard.”

#3 Sim Byrd – 154 votes (45.8%)

When compared to most of the more recent selections from pass heavy offenses, Sim Byrd’s inclusion might seem like a strange one. However, Byrd happened to simply be ahead of his time at Troy. A prolific passer from the halcyon days of the run first, run second, then run some more era, Byrd lit up the scoreboard as the then-Red Wave crashed all competitors on their way to the 1968 NAIA National Championship.

In fact, when asked what his favorite memory was during his time at Troy, Byrd was quick to bring up that victory. As he puts it, “There is no doubt about my fondest memories. It was in late December on a bitter cold and windy day in Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl.

“It was for all the marbles: Troy State vs Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). Troy won their first National Championship, defeating Texas A&I 43-35. What a turning point for our great University!”

Byrd believes that Championship is an inseparable part of his legacy with Troy University. “That laid the foundation for our University to move to the great thing we experience today and beyond. The sky is the limit!”

When speaking with Byrd, it’s easy to see his love for Troy.

“Troy changed my life. I learned discipline, structure, and love for your fellow man. I formed life-long friends and relationships that will be with me forever.”

During Byrd’s storied and record-setting career with Troy, #12 led a team that won a lot of games. Few, however, were as impressive as during the 1968 Championship season. The Red Wave under Byrd’s leadership only scored below 30 points once all season (3 points in the only loss to UT-Martin). In all the other games, Troy’s lowest scoring total was 31, while the highest was a massive 76-0 shutout of Concord.

I asked Byrd what it meant to be included as one of Troy’s Greatest Quarterbacks. His response showed that even 50 years later, Troy’s fans are still important to him.

“I am overwhelmed. Troy fans are great. They played an important role in our winning the National Championship in 1968. Troy, AL is the greatest place in the world because of the great fans and great people. Troy is like home to me.”

#2 Mike Turk – 226 votes (67.3%)

Mike Turk’s career is the stuff of legend around Troy. His time at the helm of the Trojan offense saw Troy win two National Championships under two different coaches. While his name doesn’t appear many times in the passing statistics for Troy, his name is all over the rushing statistics due to his success as an option quarterback.

Even with all his accomplishments, Turk still stays humble. When asked what it meant to be included, he immediately deflected away from himself and towards his teammates.

“We won a lot of games while I was there, but I don’t deserve any more credit for that than the rest of the guys that were there during that time.”

This idea carries further with Turk when I asked him about his greatest memory at Troy.

“Being part of the 2 national championship teams was certainly a highlight, along with winning the conference 3 times, but the relationships that were formed during those years, and the fact that they still exist, is probably the thing I appreciate the most.”

Turk and his teammates amassed a 40-8-1 record during those seasons. While the trophies are evident marks Turk left on Troy, Turk believes that “what we did certainly added to the winning tradition that Troy has always enjoyed.”

#1 Levi Brown – 232 votes (69%)

If Omar Haugabook started the shift from a traditional offense to the wide-open spread, Levi Brown solidified it for Troy. Brown helped to win 2 Sun Belt Championships and a New Orleans Bowl.

These championships are particularly special to Brown because “2008 was the first time Troy won the Sun Belt outright, and 2009 was the first time Troy won it while being undefeated in the conference.” Brown also pointed out that those were also the only two years Troy won the Sun Belt without having to share the title.

For a quarterback of Brown’s pedigree, he had myriad great games, but one stuck out to him more than others, the 2009 North Texas game.

“I broke Sim Byrd’s [single-game passing] record which had been standing for decades, and I remember him being at that game and coming down on the field after the game to congratulate me. That meant a lot to me because I knew exactly who he was and what he had done at Troy and I was honored to have him there with me in that moment.”

When asked about how he felt about his place in the Troy legacy, Brown said, “I appreciate the history of what Troy quarterbacks have done; from Sim Byrd to Turk to Omar to Corey and Silvers after I left. There are not a lot of places that have a list of great quarterbacks as long as the one we have at Troy, and because of that, I am honored to be included alongside these Troy legends.”

When asked about his relationship with Troy, now Coach Levi Brown stated, “It is a special place filled with incredible people and I am always proud to say that I am a Troy alumni. Even as I sit at my desk here at Valdosta State, my office walls are covered with Troy.”

As evidenced by the poll results, Brown has one of the most enduring legacies of any Troy quarterback in history. Brown, however, hopes that his impact isn’t just about his play.

“I just hope people remember me as a good person at Troy. I’m glad Troy fans consider me to be a good player, but I also hope I was a QB that they were proud to have in more ways than just on-field performance.”

 

Let me know what you think in the comments or on Twitter at @benonsports.

 

Check back later this week and we will begin our ranking of Troy’s Best Running Backs.