After winning consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships in 2022 and 2023, Jon Sumrall left the Troy Trojans for the Tulane Green Wave’s head coaching position.
Gerad Parker, who led Notre Dame’s attack as its offensive coordinator last season, will take Sumrall’s post.
Hoping to remain among the conference’s elite, who are the top 10 returning players for Troy in 2024?
Troy Trojans Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Julian Peterson, DT
With Javon Solomon and Richard Jibunor off to the NFL, and other key defensive linemen like T.J. Jackson transferring to West Virginia, experienced returners on the defensive line are at a premium for the Trojans. Julian Peterson played sparingly his first three seasons, recording five tackles and 1.5 sacks last year, but the 6’3″, 310-pound redshirt sophomore will be called upon more in 2024.
9) Scott Taylor Renfroe, K
Scott Taylor Renfroe made 19 of 24 field goals (79.17%), one make off the school record for a season (20). He also made 50 extra points and averaged 54.4 yards per attempt on kickoffs.
8) Ethan Conner, TE
After spending his first two collegiate seasons at East Mississippi Community College, Ethan Conner enrolled at Troy before last season and made an immediate impact. Even after missing four games with an injury, he brought in 16 passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns.
7) Devonte Ross, WR
After playing in every game as a true freshman in 2022, Devonte Ross took it a step further last season. He finished as the Trojans’ fourth-leading receiver with 40 catches for 428 yards and three scores. He also took on return duties, averaging 21 yards on 11 kickoff returns.
6) Damien Taylor, RB
With the Trojans’ former stud leading rusher Kimani Vidal off to the NFL, Damien Taylor will see his time with the ball increase in 2024. He finished last season second on the Trojans in rushing with 346 yards on 67 carries (5.2 yards per carry), with two touchdowns on the year – one receiving and one rushing.
5) Jordan Stringer, LB
Despite only starting the last six games of the season, Jordan Stringer finished third on the Trojans in tackles last season with 68. He added 4.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble, paving the way for him to take on a full-time leadership role in 2024.
4) Eli Russ, C
Following three seasons playing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Eli Russ made his way to Troy and provided a much-needed stalwart in the middle of the Trojans’ offensive line.
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The 6’4″, 313-pounder started every game at center, playing 836 snaps while allowing just three sacks, three hurries, and six quarterback hits in 466 pass-blocking situations.
3) Daniel King, RG
An All-Sun Belt Second Team selection last year, Daniel King has been a two-year starter for the Trojans since arriving from Georgia Military College in 2022. Listed at 6’5″, 340 pounds, he played 963 snaps last season, allowing five sacks, four hits, and six hurries in 520 pass-blocking situations.
2) Chris Lewis, WR
A do-it-all, 6’4″ junior, Chris Lewis earned All-Sun Belt Third Team honors last season thanks to a nose for the end zone and an ability to peel to top off a defense.
His 22.97 yards per catch average ranked first nationally (32 catches for 735 yards), and his 10 touchdown catches were good for 16th. On top of that, he completed two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.
1) Will ‘Goose’ Crowder, QB
When Gunnar Watson finally hung up his Troy jersey for the last time, we knew his predecessor would have some mighty big shoes to fill. Luckily, West Virginia transfer Will “Goose” Crowder had the good fortune of spending his first season learning from Watson as his backup with the Trojans in 2023.
Now, Crowder has been named the starter after taking control of the position battle in spring. Waiting in the wings his first three seasons, the 6’2″ pro-style quarterback has shown bursts of excellence in limited appearances, but now the Alabama native will get his first full-time opportunity.
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