Football continues spring camp, preps for T-Day

Troy football is continuing its preparation for T-Day as the team is over halfway through spring training. 

“We have much to improve on, but our team has found itself an identity a little bit,” head coach Gerad Parker said. “The effort and physicality have taken a huge step.” 

Parker is preparing his team for his third season as the head football coach. Following his debut season at 4-8 in 2024, he flipped the script with an 8-5 record and Sun Belt Conference runner-up finish last season. 

There are plenty of different faces in each position, but one position battle continues for a third season. Quarterbacks Goose Crowder and Tucker Kilcrease are returning, and questions continue to arise on who may be the week one starter. Crowder has had that title each of the last two seasons, but with injuries each year, Kilcrease has seen nine total starts, including seven last season. The QB room also features Jack James and East Mississippi Community College transfer Rodge Waldrop. 

Another East Mississippi CC transfer is Gavin Griffin, who joins returners Jordan Lovett, AC Walters and DeWhit Betterson Jr. in the backfield. Lovett is the only returning halfback who saw action, carrying two touchdowns and 339 yards in his sophomore campaign. 

Special teams will have a new look as well, with four kickers on the roster. Ethan Head joins the team after spending a season apiece with Tulane and West Virginia. Redshirt freshman Jaden Tynes returns after redshirting last season. He is the son of former Trojans kicker and two-time Super Bowl champion Lawrence Tynes.  

Senior Ole Miss transfer Jalen Ballard and JUCO transfer Hayden Wolfe have also thrown their hats into the ring for the starting kicker position. 

Defensively, Troy brings back a few notable starters like All-Sun Belt First Team bandit Donnie Smith. Cornerback Jabari Strait, linebacker Luke Hodge, safety Joe Lott and safety Justin Powe will return to Veterans Memorial Stadium after notable action last season. 

It will be a different look for Trojan fans than the team fans saw last year, but the new and returning Men of Troy will enter with a goal of earning a Sun Belt title for the first time since 2023. Fans will have their first chance to look at the new team during T-Day on April 18 at 1 p.m. at the Vet.