Troy notebook: Freshmen getting chance in secondary [Dothan Eagle, Ala.]

Aug. 31--TROY -- Troy is trying to keep its starting quarterback a secret. Head coach Larry Blakeney would have liked if one of his starting cornerbacks was kept secret as well.

But Chris Pickett, a true freshman from Crestview, Fla., is slated to start at cornerback opposite Bryan Willis, a sophomore preseason all-conference pick who started last season.

He was at his senior prom just a few months ago, but will see big snaps in Saturday's 6 p.m. opener against Bowling Green at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"I'd rather tell you who the quarterback is than know I'm starting a true freshman at corner," Blakeney said. "We've got a couple of young DBs that are going to play, and he's one of them. Camren (Hudson), the other safety, is going to play too."

Hudson is behind seniors Willard Ross and Barry Valcin at safety. Sophomore KeJuan Phillips and junior Jimmie Anderson are also in the mix at cornerback, which doubles the number of dependable players Troy had at cornerback last season.

Defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said Pickett made fewer mistakes than Anderson and Phillips, who entered with more experience in the system.

"He made a few more plays and he's done a few more things," Rowell said. "The other two have too, but you have to pick somebody.

"It's an ongoing deal on those three, even on Willis. He could get ousted as quick as any of those other guys. It's good for competition because you can get max out of them."

Valcin, who started at corner last year, moved over to safety and is teamed up with Ross, who started two games last year. Rowell is very confident with that duo.

"They're possibly the best combination I've had playing together," Rowell said. "They're very athletic, they do a heck of a job and they're very good football players."

Elder, Robertson ineligible: Head coach Larry Blakeney said defensive tackles Jeremy Elder, a junior college transfer, and J.R. Robertson, a freshman, are ineligible. A class Elder took in junior college didn't transfer over when coaches were told originally he'd be cleared, but since an ankle injury kept him out for nearly two years, coaches are hoping to get an extra year of eligibility for Elder, giving him two years left beginning next year.

Robertson could pay his own way this year and, if he passes his classes, have four years of eligibility left beginning next year. Sophomore linebacker Kanorris Davis and redshirt freshman defensive tackle John Clark came to Troy as non-qualifiers, but paid their own way for a year and did the academic work to qualify.

Blakeney said that appeals to the NCAA would be sent out, but he's not optimistic.

Harris listed as top running back: Senior DuJuan Harris will start the game at running back, offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said, but will still split carries with sophomores Shawn Southward and Chris Anderson.

More young starters, injury updates: Redshirt freshman Jay Stansberry has earned the starting spot at left guard, but he's battling nagging injuries. Senior Tyler Graves has moved to right guard as sophomore Jacob Creech, a projected starter, is sidelined with a labrum (shoulder) injury but plans to play through it.

Blakeney said defensive tackles Sidell Corley and Shermane TeArt likely wouldn't dress out Saturday because of injuries.

Davis gets honor: Kanorris Davis, a special teams star who is listed as a backup linebacker, was named to the New York Post All-Underpublicized team. He's listed as Kanorris "Kamikaze" Davis as a special teams member.

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