Troy head coach Larry Blakeney ranks sixth among active FBS coaches in wins—many of which came between 2006 and 2010 when the Trojans won five straight Sun Belt Conference titles—and has sent many big names to the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora, Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware, and Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Although he may not have many NFL talents on his current roster, Blakeney's Trojans are poised for improvement after their 6-6 record last season.
The team’s strength is unquestionably its offensive line, headlined by preseason First Team All-Sun Belt selection Terrence Jones and former Mississippi transfer Ethan Huston. The great pass protection will help ease the to-be-named starting quarterback’s transition to the pace of collegiate play. Corey Robinson, who was one of four quarterbacks in FBS history with four 3,000-yard-passing seasons, has graduated and there are four quarterbacks contending to replace him.
Redshirt freshman Brandon Silvers and junior college transfer Dontreal Pruitt lead the way as the frontrunners for Robinson's old job. Whoever takes over under center will not have the luxury of throwing the ball to Eric Thomas—who graduated as one of the best receivers in program history—but will target speedy junior Bryan Holmes instead.
In addition to losing offensive stars, Troy lost three starters on the defensive line and both of its starting safeties. The Trojans will build around preseason First Team All-Sun Belt selection Tyler Roberts on the line and lockdown senior cornerback Ethan Davis.
Troy has a tough non-conference schedule, with games against Duke and at Georgia, but should contend for the Sun Belt title with the likes of Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe.
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