Today's story focuses on wide receiver Chip Reeves, who is back this fall after missing last season due to academics. I look for Reeves to post career-best numbers provided he stays healthy. Even though he's a bit thinner than other receivers, Reeves is a pretty fearless player and a good blocker. You can read the story in the Tuesday print edition of the Dothan Eagle and on dothaneagle.com HERE.
I'll be back at Troy's practice today. Trojans are scheduled to go twice - in the morning and afternoon.
BY DREW CHAMPLIN | dchamplin@dothaneagle.com
Through Troy’s early practices, one thing is clear: the Trojans are happy to have receiver Chip Reeves back.
Reeves missed last year, what would have been his senior season, due to poor grades. The 5-10, 176-pound Reeves is perhaps the Sun Belt’s top deep threat and his presence was missed last fall. He practiced this spring and showed even on the first day that he’s prepared to make the most of his final chance.
“He looked like he never missed a day to me,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He’s worked hard. He has done well in school and he’s ready to go.”
In 2010, Reeves was fourth on Troy’s team with 515 yards on 30 catches, leading the Trojans with an average of 17.2 yards per catch. He caught three passes of 50 yards or more, including a 79-yard touchdown at UAB. He scored four touchdowns that year and was primed to be one of Troy’s top guns last year, until he didn’t pass enough credit hours to be eligible.
Now, he’s primed to make up for his lost opportunity.
“I’ve got a big sense of urgency,” Reeves said. “I’ve got to perform at the best of my ability and get my team back on track and get myself back on track.”
Reeves was also a big part of Troy’s Sun Belt championship team in 2009, catching 22 passes for 363 yards and scoring touchdowns on plays of 63, 52 and 33 yards. He was able to pay attention to Troy’s games last year, but it was tough on him as the Trojans struggled.
Off the field, Reeves made up his work in the classroom and is academically ready to go this fall as a fifth-year senior. He was able to use last fall as a redshirt season since he played as a true freshman in 2008.
“Being sent home taught me not to take anything for granted,” Reeves said. “I almost blew it. That’s what I focused on every day when I woke up.”
Now, Reeves has a chance to post career-best numbers. He’s slated to start at the X-receiver position and get the majority of the reps there. Last year’s starter at the X, Eric Thomas, has moved to the Z-receiver position.
“My personal goal is to score a touchdown every game, so I can at least have 12,” Reeves said. “It would be 13 since we want to go to a bowl game this year.”
Blakeney said he’s had extensive talks with Reeves over his career about staying on board. Reeves was also academically ineligible for the GMAC Bowl following the 2009 season, but is in the clear now.
“I’ve already started talking to him about goals for his senior year and where I want him to be at the end of the season,” Blakeney said. “He’s on board. A happy Chip Reeves is very good for this team.”
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