2007 Football Media Guide

Page 54

2007 SEASON OUTLOOK

Maurea Crain

Greg Wibbs

Defensive Line Talent Is Deep Up front, the Trojans have a chance to be as deep, and as talented, as any Troy defensive line in many years. Six returning linemen have extensive playing experience and another, senior Chris Bradwell (Jacksonville, Fla.), started as a true freshman at Florida State. A pair of seniors, end Shawn Todd (Crestview, Fla.) and nose tackle Marcus Pittman (Broadway, NC) will be the leaders up front, but junior tackle Steve McLendon (Ozark, Ala.) and junior end Kenny Mainor (Brunswick, Ga.) are veteran contributors as well. Mainor led the Trojans with 6.5 sacks last year and his backup, sophomore Brandon Lang (Tucker, Ga.) had 4.5 more. The return of Bradwell and junior tackle Maurice Coleman (Eufaula, Ala.), who both missed last season, bolsters the front line even more. Throw in junior college signee Dion Gales (New Orleans, La.), who was rated as a five-star recruit, and the Trojans’ defensive line gets deep in a hurry. “Bradwell gives us a boost with his sheer ability and Coleman should give us some reliability and some football smarts,” Blakeney said. “Bradwell gives us an edge type of guy who can play on the inside. “Gales is a three technique and he gives you a chance to mix and match in passing situations to get your best pass rushers out there. Pitt is probably more of a natural three and McLendon is more of a natural nose, but they are both pretty tall and can play both positions.” A couple of younger players, sophomore Akeem Brown (Brunswick, Ga.) and junior Brandon Suggs (Russelville, Ala.) also showed improvement in the spring and

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Leodis McKelvin

Elbert Mack

may find their way into the mix.

Filling Void at Punter A Concern The only major question mark, other than the offensive line, entering the fall is at punter. Senior Adrian Vera (Houston, Tx.) has the best leg, but has struggled with consistency. Senior place kicker Greg Whibbs (Pensacola, Fla.) could challenge for the job in the fall, but so could freshman signee Will Goggans (Douglas, Ga.) and a group of walk-ons. “It looks like Adrian Vera will be the punter, but Whibbs is certainly an accomplished kicker and we are looking for him to have his best year,” Blakeney said. “We also are replacing our snapper and holder, and those are very important jobs.” Sophomore Derrick Thomas (Elba, Ala.) emerged as the replacement as the long snapper for graduated Zach Yenser while Silvoy is the leading candidate to be the holder with another receiver, Zack Marcum, serving as the backup. “We have to refine that area and make sure we are on top of that situation,” Blakeney said. I have asked all of those guys to get on a good work schedule this summer and I think the kicking game will be good.” The return game will again be in the capable hands of McKelvin, who has returned punts, kickoffs and interceptions for touchdowns in his career. Mack will again serve as his backup on punt returns and will be the other deep man on kickoffs.

2006 SUN BELT CHAMPIONS • 2006 NEW ORLEANS BOWL CHAMPIONS


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