Troy junior Andre Flakes has moved to the head of the depth chart at wide receiver.

“It’s hard to play two backs all the time in our offense,” said Troy offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield. “We do it some, so we have to make sure he has other opportunities to get out there. He is good in space. He has played it as a freshman so he is really familiar for him moving back.”

After battling all summer for the top running back spot with Jordan Chunn and Jabir Frye, head coach Neal Brown decided to maximize Flakes’ touches at a position of need.

“We feel like he is one of our best players,” Brown said. “Jordan Chunn has had a great fall camp, so Chunn will be our feature back. (Flakes) was one of our best 11 players. Tevaris McCormick will be out with an injury; he will miss the game on Saturday. So I feel like we needed some playmaking ability at that position.”

As a running back last season, Flakes ran the ball 66 times for 243 yards. In his career he has had nine receptions for 49 yards.

Even with the change, Flakes will still get carries throughout the season.

“He is going to play both,” Edenfield said. “We are going to try and utilize his skill. We are going to try to get him on the field more. He is one of our better players; that is part of the reason behind (the move).”

Troy starting quarterback Brandon Silvers believes the transition will be a smooth one.

“During my redshirt freshman year when it was my first year starting he played that position,” Silvers said. “… He has done pretty good the last few practices.”

The change puts Chunn, B.J. Smith and Jabir Frye 1-2-3 on the depth chart at running back.

“BJ Smith and Frye are ready to take some carries,” Chunn said. “I am going to get my touches and they are going to get theirs.”

The Trojans will begin the season against the Austin Peay Governors at 5 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.