Photo: Freshman Punter, Troy Walker, Wakulla HS (FL)
By Doug Blackburn and Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITERS
Troy Walker, a freshman walk-on punter and placekicker from Wakulla High, is not expected to see much action at Florida A&M this fall. Not as long as senior All-MEAC kicker Wesley Taylor remains healthy.
But Taylor predicts a bright future for Walker, a Class 3A All-State first-team selection who averaged 42.1 yards a punt as a high-school senior and booted a 37-yard field goal.
"I like him because he asks questions. Troy's not shy, and that's a good thing," Taylor said. "When I was a freshman I was too afraid to ask questions.
"He's going to do great here because he wants to learn. He also has a horse leg - he's strong. Troy's got great potential."
FAMU coach Rubin Carter is glad to have Walker as a backup to Taylor.
"Troy's off to a good start," Carter said. "He adds some depth to our team in terms of kicking."
Twice as nice
Monday marked the first day of two-a-day practices for the Rattlers. They had been scheduled to have two sessions Saturday, but the afternoon practice was rained out.
The heat did not seem to be bothering the players during the afternoon session, which ran almost 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Rough morning for QBs
A few fumbled snaps and some poor reads drew the ire of FAMU offensive coordinator Bob Cole during Monday's morning practice.
None of the four quarterbacks in camp escaped Cole's wrath, including projected starter Albert Chester II.
After the morning practice Cole had the quarterbacks take off their helmets and shoulder pads and do some extra drills.
Carter said the fumbled snaps would have to be worked out. Junior Steve Brazzle, who started at center last season, is out with a shoulder injury.
Sophomore Kwame Akkebela, who was moved from defensive end to center this past spring, is now working with the first-unit offense.
"We have to be better on our snaps from center," Carter said. "We need those two players (the quarterback and center) to mesh better. We'll get better than that.
"Kwame has been coming along extremely well. He's starting to develop his understanding of his role within the offensive scheme."
Injury report
Redshirt sophomore guard Anthony Collins participated during the first half of Monday's morning practice, but had to come out because of a sore hamstring he has been nursing.
Running back Demitric Henry (hamstring), linebacker Vic Arboleda and defensive end Tyrone McGriff (stomach) were among the notables who did not participate in Monday's practices.
Carter said he had excused McGriff from practice Monday. Henry is listed as day-to-day, according to Carter.
By Doug Blackburn and Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITERS
Troy Walker, a freshman walk-on punter and placekicker from Wakulla High, is not expected to see much action at Florida A&M this fall. Not as long as senior All-MEAC kicker Wesley Taylor remains healthy.
But Taylor predicts a bright future for Walker, a Class 3A All-State first-team selection who averaged 42.1 yards a punt as a high-school senior and booted a 37-yard field goal.
"I like him because he asks questions. Troy's not shy, and that's a good thing," Taylor said. "When I was a freshman I was too afraid to ask questions.
"He's going to do great here because he wants to learn. He also has a horse leg - he's strong. Troy's got great potential."
FAMU coach Rubin Carter is glad to have Walker as a backup to Taylor.
"Troy's off to a good start," Carter said. "He adds some depth to our team in terms of kicking."
Twice as nice
Monday marked the first day of two-a-day practices for the Rattlers. They had been scheduled to have two sessions Saturday, but the afternoon practice was rained out.
The heat did not seem to be bothering the players during the afternoon session, which ran almost 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Rough morning for QBs
A few fumbled snaps and some poor reads drew the ire of FAMU offensive coordinator Bob Cole during Monday's morning practice.
None of the four quarterbacks in camp escaped Cole's wrath, including projected starter Albert Chester II.
After the morning practice Cole had the quarterbacks take off their helmets and shoulder pads and do some extra drills.
Carter said the fumbled snaps would have to be worked out. Junior Steve Brazzle, who started at center last season, is out with a shoulder injury.
Sophomore Kwame Akkebela, who was moved from defensive end to center this past spring, is now working with the first-unit offense.
"We have to be better on our snaps from center," Carter said. "We need those two players (the quarterback and center) to mesh better. We'll get better than that.
"Kwame has been coming along extremely well. He's starting to develop his understanding of his role within the offensive scheme."
Injury report
Redshirt sophomore guard Anthony Collins participated during the first half of Monday's morning practice, but had to come out because of a sore hamstring he has been nursing.
Running back Demitric Henry (hamstring), linebacker Vic Arboleda and defensive end Tyrone McGriff (stomach) were among the notables who did not participate in Monday's practices.
Carter said he had excused McGriff from practice Monday. Henry is listed as day-to-day, according to Carter.
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