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On Wednesday, the Troy Trojans named junior quarterback Goose Crowder as the team’s new starting quarterback heading into week one of the college football season.

Crowder has been the frontrunner to replace longtime starter Gunnar Watson – who graduated last season – and seemed to take control of the position during the spring.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 214-pounder has a big arm and the leadership intangibles needed at the position. Crowder was an All-American and Alabama/Mississippi All-Star quarterback at Gardendale High School in Alabama before starting his college career at West Virginia.

At Gardendale, threw for 2,132 yards and 20 touchdowns along with 586 yards and three touchdowns rushing as a senior. He also threw for 2,295 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

At West Virginia, Crowder completed all six of his pass attempts in 2022 for 57 yards and a score. In 2023, he transferred to Troy and served as Watson’s backup along with being the primarily holder on field goal and PATs. As a passer, he completed 9-of-13 passes for 94 yards and a score.

During his college career, Crowder has thrown for 151 yards and two touchdowns at Troy and West Virginia. New Troy offensive coordinator Sean Reagan was Crowder’s quarterbacks coach when he was at West Virginia.

Crowder will have big shoes to fill after Gunnar Watson spent four years as Troy’s starting quarterback. Watson led Troy to a 28-14 record as a starter and two Sun Belt Championships. He threw for more than 10,000 yards and 65 touchdowns during his career.