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The quarterback position has an interesting dilemma. Both Goose Crowder and Tucker Kilcrease return. Crowder is QB1 but has missed significant time over the past two season. He is an all-conference quarterback when healthy. Kilcrease isn’t just a game manager at QB2. He can make all the throws and win games for the Trojans.
The running back room returns some experience in Jordan Lovett and Dennis Palmer. Lovett started four games last season. The additions of Jaheim Merriweather (Purdue), Gavin Griffin (JUCO), and Bryce Burgess (JUCO) will all see action. Griffin rushed for nearly 1,200 yards at East Mississippi Community College last season.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Jywon Boyd, Kristian Tate, Mojo Dortch, and tight end Jackson Worley. The additions of TJ Lott (Old Dominion), Hayden Jackson (JUCO), Nareel White (JUCO), and Howard Kitchen Jr. (JUCO) will all see action. White and Kitchen could be real difference makers.
The offensive line room returns experience in Tyler Cappi, Tyler Bell, Elijah Prather, Patrick Screws Jr., Caleb Ash, and Tra’jon Townsend. The additions of Darion Rivers (NC State), Jordan Jones (Ohio, All-MAC), Luke Petit (Furman), Antwone Breland (JUCO), and Jaylin Rogers (JUCO) are massive for this unit.
The defensive line room returns some production in Donnie Smith (11 sacks, All-SBC), Kam Curry, and Jermaine Paramore. The additions of Kavion Henderson (Arkansas), Ty Clemons (Boston College), August Salvati (San Diego State), Miquon Merriweather (JUCO), RaKeem Davis (JUCO), and Will Norman (JUCO) will all see action.
The linebacker room returns some experience in TJ Thompson, Luke Hodge, and Keyshawn Campbell. The additions of Bryce Stelle (Boston College) and Keon Jones (D2 Barton) provide playmakers for this unit. Jones was extremely productive at the Division 2 level.
The secondary returns production in Jordan Perry, Jabari Strait, Joe Lott, and Justin Powe. The additions of Knai Cook (Charleston Southern), Jonathan Pennix (Southern Miss), Marcus Goree Jr. (Tennessee), Doug Nelson (JUCO), Tai Terrell (JUCO), Jordan Turner (JUCO), and Jamarion Keyes (JUCO) make this a well-rounded unit.
Punter Evan Crenshaw (All-American) returns. He placed 29 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard lines, most in the nation last season. The kicking duties see four newcomers battling it out. That is something to watch throughout fall camp.
Gerad Parker did great work getting this program back to the Sun Belt Championship game last season. The defense led the way and only returns one starter. The health of quarterback Goose Crowder could set this team apart from everyone else in the Sun Belt West. That is a big if though.
