Silvers looking for consistency in junior season
Published 3:00 am Wednesday, August 17, 2016
The Troy Trojans enter the 2016 season with question marks on both sides of the ball. The one area they are most secured with is at quarterback.
Junior quarterback Brandon Silvers enters the season as a third year starting quarterback in a league that has seen a lot of turnover this summer at that position.
“Everybody forgets that we have a quarterback that has played a lot of football,” said Troy Offensive Coordinator Kenny Edenfield. “I think Brandon has done really well so far in camp. He is getting better every day.”
Silvers has had his fare share of success in his two years at quarterback. In 2014 Silvers completed 70 percent of passes, which broke an NCAA record for freshman quarterbacks. Last season Silvers completion percentage dropped to 61 percent, but he increased his completions, yards and touchdown numbers.
“I am feeling more comfortable,” Silvers said. “Last year was my first year with coach (Neal) Brown. I have more privileges to do some things. This year our offense is coming together really well and I think we are going to have a pretty good year.”
This season Silvers will have to throw largely to a new crop of receivers. Juniors John Johnson and Emmanuel Thompson are back, but everyone else has little to no experience in the offense.
“We have a lot talent,” Silvers said. “We have a lot of depth. We are young and new. There is a lot of competition every day. I am thankful we have a month to practice. This is a process and we are getting better everyday.”
At the Sun Belt Conference Media Day, Silvers mentioned how he wanted to be more consistent during the upcoming season. So far during practice, Silvers has looked more decisive in his throws.
“Coach Brown always talks about being a confident and consistent decision maker,” Silvers said. “I feel more confident under coach Brown than I did last year. I just want to make decisions and know what I am going to do before the snap.”
Joining Silvers at the quarterback position this season will be freshman Sawyer Smith.
The freshman comes to Troy after four years at Tate High School in Cantonment Florida. Smith led the Aggies to a 27-9 record during his four years.
“He has done a great job,” Edenfield said. “He came here in January and you can imagine he had to get all the reps. He was able to get a lot of reps with the two’s and he was able to show what he can do. Him and Barker have done a really good job at camp. They both have had strides when they looked really good.”
Caleb Barker comes to Troy after transferring in from Monroe Junior College. Barker adds speed at the quarterback position.
“Caleb can really run,” Brown said. “When you look at what he did in high school it’s really impressive. He took a Priceville team that year in an year out is not a power house and he finishes right at the top of the Mr. Football award and takes them to one of the best records in school history…He is a really good athlete.”
“He is competing to be that third quarterback. It has been a pleasant surprise that he has caught on and has made plays with his arm and his feet during camp.”
All three quarterbacks will be able to show what they got this Saturday when the Trojans scrimmage for the second and final time on Saturday at 11 a.m.