Inside the 2023 Sun Belt Champions: The Troy Trojans

By Luke Probasco from The G5 Hive

Introduction

Welcome to the G5 Worker Bee Series, where we dive deep into the Group of Five college football landscape with insights from the experts who know the teams best. Today, we’ll take a look at the 2023 Sun Belt Champions, the Troy Trojans. Troy finished an impressive 11-3 and made an appearance in the Birmingham Bowl. They wrapped up their 2024 spring practice with their spring game on April 27th.

The 2023 Season and Coaching Changes

Troy had an impressive 2023 season, but with success comes change. They lost their head coach and most of their coaching staff to Tulane. This offseason, they hired Gerard Parker, previously the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Ironically, Parker is very similar to Jon Sumrall personality-wise. Both are personable and passionate about football. Jon Sumrall was a friend, always checking on Josh during his health struggles. Gerard Parker is in that same vein, very personable and passionate. They both emphasize recruiting, especially JUCO players, which is something Parker has continued.

New Coaching Staff

With a new head coach, Troy also brought in new assistants and coordinators. Coach Parker appointed Sean Reagan as the offensive coordinator. Reagan comes from West Virginia, where he spent the last five years. Sean Reagan will be calling the plays. He plans to run a versatile offense, spreading the ball out and going fast, similar to what was seen when Neal Brown was here. They want to run the ball but will also use multiple sets and formations.

Quarterback Situation

The quarterback position saw a change as well. They lost last season’s starter, Gunnar Watson, to graduation. However, they return Goose Crowder and Tucker Kilcrease. Only Tucker Kilcrease and Goose Crowder participated in spring practice, which gave them a lot of reps. Goose seems to be the leader, with a strong arm and a love for the deep ball. Tucker is very mobile. They’re adding new quarterbacks to the roster for depth, which was much needed.

Running Backs

The running game lost Kimani Vidal, the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year. Replacing Kimani’s production is tough, but they have depth. Damian Taylor, who rushed for almost 400 yards last year, is likely the lead back. They plan to use a running back by committee approach, with Taylor, Jarris Williams, Gerald Green, and others sharing carries.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The wide receiver room took a hit with departures and injuries. Despite the losses, the wide receivers looked surprisingly good. Landon Parker and Devonte Ross stood out. Zeriah Beason, a JUCO transfer, made plays consistently and scored three touchdowns in the spring game. If Chris Lewis returns from his battle with osteosarcoma, that will be a huge boost.

Neal Brown’s offense valued big, playmaking tight ends, and Ethan Conner fits that role perfectly. He’s an athletic freak, constantly making catches over defenders. They also brought in Trae Schwartz from Iowa Western Community College, who’s a big blocking tight end, essential for goal-line situations.

Offensive Line Concerns

One of the biggest concerns is the offensive line, which lost key players. They brought in several JUCO players to fill the gaps. Losing All-Conference player Derrick Graham and other depth players was significant. Getting Eli Russ back at center is huge. There was a lot of shuffling in the spring, and more is expected in the fall.

Conclusion

If there’s one offensive player poised for a breakout season in 2024, it’s Zeriah Beason. He has shown a lot of potential and could have a big year.

The Troy Trojans face a season of change and challenge, but with a strong foundation and promising new talent, they aim to build on their impressive 2023 performance.