Story today focuses on senior Kyle Wilborn, whose versatility will be a key for the Troy offensive line. You can read it in the Thursday Dothan Eagle (which has our prep football tab in it as well!) and on dothaneagle.com HERE.
BY DREW CHAMPLIN | dchamplin@dothaneagle.comm
TROY – Kyle Wilborn might be jokingly known for the scars on his body following seven surgeries, but his versatility is what Troy coaches will help carry the offensive line through this season.
Wilborn has been a starter throughout his career at Troy, save three games where he sat out because of injuries. He started for a season and a half at right tackle, then another season and a half at left guard. Now, he’ll be the Trojans’ center as Troy readies for Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at UAB.
Wilborn started snapping about three weeks ago when projected starter Andrew Phillips got hurt. Phillips, a fellow senior, is healthy but listed as the second-team center behind Wilborn on the depth chart.
Troy offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said coaches always had it in the back of their minds that Wilborn could play center, but never had to try it until about three weeks ago.
“It gave us a free opportunity to work him and he really did a nice job there and it gave us another guy (left guard Cody Woodiel) an opportunity to get on the field,” Edenfield said. “We struggled with injuries early but once we got him in there, you could see our continuity fall in line.”
Wilborn said the biggest adjustment came from snapping the ball, but added it’s been more fun to play center than guard or tackle. In Troy’s offense, the center is the quarterback of the offensive line and calls out the defensive alignment. He decides when to snap it after getting the go-ahead from the quarterback.
“I enjoy playing it way more than any offensive line position I’ve ever played before because I can control when I come off the ball,” Wilborn said. “I’m the first one to hit (somebody), so the explosiveness of playing center is the most fun aspect of it.”
Wilborn said he takes pointers from fellow centers Phillips and Evan McKissack. Though the players are competing for the same job, it hasn’t stopped them from helping each other out.
“With the offensive line, we have a different type of mentality,” Wilborn said. “Everyone’s there to help each other out. This is the closest offensive line we’ve had in a long time. I wouldn’t hesitate to call any of them and ask for a favor and likewise I know they wouldn’t hesitate to call me.”
Running backs getting healthier: Troy will be without senior D.J. Taylor at running back Saturday, but two others are getting back to health. Junior Khary Franklin (shoulder) is expected to be cleared and redshirt freshman Daron White (high ankle sprain) has a chance to play as well.
White had a long kickoff return in last Saturday’s short scrimmage, coming up just short of a score.
“He looked like he was improving,” Blakeney said. “He ran like a deer and he got up limping. A high ankle sprain is a tough injury. I’ve talked to him a lot along the way. He’s getting better and we need him to get better. If he takes care of the ball, he’s pretty darn good.”
Walk-ons awarded scholarships: Two previous walk-ons were awarded scholarships before the season began. McKissack, a junior offensive lineman from Hoover and running back Jared Lee, a junior from Panama City, were placed on scholarship. Lee could have a bigger role this season as a blocking back if senior D.J. Taylor is slow to return from heat-related issues.
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