Troy players reported today. Talked to several of them plus Coach Blakeney.

The biggest news of the day is that WR Jamel Johnson will not be eligible. Blakeney confirmed that Johnson had left the team.

Johnson spent last season at junior college working on his academics. Apparently, he didn’t do enough and will not play this season.

Chip Reeves, who was also ineligible last season, will return however. The combination of Reeves and Eric Thomas excited quarterback Corey Robinson.

“Chip is going to help us out. Jamel would have helped us out a lot. But last year without those guys, we obviously had no experience. It’s definitely going to help us out having a year under our belts. I’m looking forward to throwing it around and letting those guys (Reeves and Thomas) make plays.”

Blakeney on Johnson: “I wish him the best. He definitely needs to do something besides go to school.”

Blakeney said Johnson had not contacted him yet and found out when all the grades had been reported. “He didn’t let me know. I already knew.”

Junior receiver Sam Haskins is also being evaluated with a hear issue. His status remains unknown.

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Offensive lineman Kyle Wilborn said he hasn’t felt as good as he does currently since his freshman year. Wilborn has undergone seven surgeries since his senior year of high school. Most recently, Wilborn underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery last December.

“I’ve been able to do all the workouts since spring and it has really got me ahead.

Wilborn said the offensive line has gelled since last year.

“We lost James (Brown) and (Zach) Swindell from last year but we have a lot of guys back,” he said. “I think that’s helped us come together.”