troymessenger
The countdown to kickoff has officially begun for the Troy Trojans, as the team is scheduled to report for fall camp on August 4th. Practices will commence the following day, with morning sessions slated through August 9th before transitioning to afternoon workouts. The academic year kicks off on August 12th, and the squad will remain in camp mode until Fan Day on August 22nd.
Fan Day promises a full slate of activities, including an open practice, complimentary hot dogs, water, and soft drinks for attendees in the West Concourse of Veterans Memorial Stadium. Fans can also pick up free 2026 schedule posters and have the chance to meet players and secure autographs post-practice.
Entering his third year at the helm, Coach Gerad Parker leads a program that finished 8-6 last season, capturing its third Sun Belt West Division Championship in four years and earning a bowl berth for the first time since 2023. However, the offense faces significant turnover, with leading rusher Tae Meadows (695 yards, six touchdowns) and the top six receivers departing.
Quarterbacks Tucker Kilcrease (1,537 yards, nine touchdowns) and Goose Crowder (1,327 yards, 11 touchdowns) return, with Crowder earning Preseason All-Sun Belt honors. New offensive coordinator Adam Austin, who orchestrated a high-powered attack at Tarleton State, will implement a fresh scheme.
The running back group will be headlined by Jordan Lovett (355 yards, two touchdowns), Purdue transfer Jaheiem Merriweather, and JUCO standouts Bryce Burgess and Gavin Griffin. Merriweather, a former top Tennessee prospect, rushed for 81 yards in 16 games with the Boilermakers. Burgess tallied 589 yards and four scores at Tyler Junior College, while Griffin led all JUCO backs with 1,168 yards and 22 touchdowns.
At wide receiver, fifth-year player Mojo Dortch (11 catches, 64 yards) is poised to lead a young corps. Returners Jywon Boyd and Kristian Tate, who missed all of 2025 due to injury, are expected to contribute. Transfer additions include TJ Lott (Old Dominion), TK Keyes (Southern Miss), Andrew Leslie (Memphis), and JUCO standouts Noreel White and Howard Kinchen.
Key Analysis
The tight end position lacks returning starters, but fifth-year Fabian Rogosch and fourth-year Jackson Worley bring experience, having played all 14 games last season. Rogosch was primarily a blocker, while Worley caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. They'll be joined by Arkansas State transfer Marquis Harris, Laney College transfer JT Lang, and freshman Nick Hampton.
Offensive line returns several starters, including Caleb Ash, Tyler Bell, Tyler Cappi, Elijah Prather, Patrick Screws Jr., and Trajon Townsend. Cappi, a fifth-year graduate, started five games at center, while Ash started seven at right tackle. Prather started six games at left tackle before a knee injury, and Townsend started the final eight games at both tackle spots.
The transfer portal brought notable additions to the line: Furman All-American Luke Petit, NC State's Darion Rivers, and Ohio's Jordon Jones, an All-MAC selection. Petit has experience at center, guard, and tackle, while Rivers saw action in two games and Jones started all 13 for the Bobcats.
Defensively, the Trojans must replace starters at every level but return key pieces. Preseason Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Donnie Smith anchors the pass rush after recording 11 sacks in 2025. Defensive tackles Kam Curry and Jermaine Paramore each played 14 games, and transfers include Kavion Henderson (Arkansas), Will Norman (Florida), Delvin Whitaker (Louisiana Tech), Miquon Merriweather (UAB), and Ty Clemmons (Boston College).
At linebacker, returners Luke Hodge, TJ Thompson, and Keyshawn Campbell are joined by Boston College transfer Bryce Steele and Barton College's Keno Jones. Steele was a two-year starter for the Eagles, while Jones earned Division II All-American honors with 114 tackles last season.
The secondary is led by All-Sun Belt safety Justin Powe, the only returning starter in the defensive backfield, who recorded 76 tackles and an interception. Safety Joe Lott played 13 games as a freshman, and transfers Marcure Goree Jr. (Tennessee) and Knai Cook (Charleston Southern) will compete for roles. Cornerbacks Marlin Odom, Jabari Strait, and Shemar Welch return, along with Southern Miss transfer Jonathan Penix.
Special teams boast All-American punter Evan Crenshaw, a Ray Guy Award finalist. The kicking duties are up for grabs among transfers Jalen Ballard (Ole Miss), Ethan Head (West Virginia), and JUCO's Hayden Wolfe, with Jaden Tynes, son of former Trojan Lawrence Tynes, also in the mix.
Troy opens the regular season on September 5th at home against Sam Houston at 6 p.m., starting a two-game homestand to begin the year.
Originally reported by troymessenger.