From its NAIA days to playing in the Sun Belt, Troy has produced a ton of football greats. That includes players who won NAIA and Division II national championships for what was then Troy State University, as well as guys who had a ton of success during Troy’s stint in Division I-AA (now the FCS).
This list only features players who played during Troy’s time in D-I, meaning some greats like Mike Turk, Freddie Thomas, and Ted Horstead won’t make the list, but that doesn’t diminish their place in Troy football lore.
Here are the top 10 Troy football players during its Division I era:
10. CB Marcus Jones (2017-18)
Jones only had a two-year stint with the Trojans before transferring to Houston. In 2017, he was named the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and was tabbed all-conference as a return specialist and defensive back in 2017 and 2018. Jones finished his career at Troy with 83 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and four interceptions. He led the league in kickoff return yards and TDs and is having a strong pro career with New England.
9. LB Anthony Rabb (1996-99)
There were few players who wreaked as much havoc as Rabb, who led the Trojans in tackles for three seasons and finished his career with 407 tackles — the fourth-most in program history. His 155 tackles in 1999 ranks second all-time for a single-season and his 23-tackle performance is the most in a single game. He was tabbed the Southland Defensive Player of the Year that season.
8. DL Al Lucas (1996-99)
Lucas was one of the most dominant interior players in Troy football history. He finished his career with 255 tackles, 36 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks. In 1999, he earned the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the FCS, after he registered 126 tackles and 20 TFLs. Sadly, Lucas passed away in 2005 because of a spinal cord injury sustained in an Arena Football League game.
7. RB DeWhitt Betterson Sr. (2001-04)
The second-leading rusher in program history, Betterson’s 3,441 career rushing yards stood as the standard for the Trojans for a few decades. He was named first-team All-Sun Belt in 2004 after rushing for 1,286 yards. He owns two of the top 10 single-season rushing performances. Betterson Jr. is currently an RB on Troy’s roster.
6. QB Corey Robinson (2010-13)
Robinson left his mark on the program with his cannon of an arm. He owns many of the Troy passing records including career yards (13,477) and passing touchdowns (81). The Kentucky product was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and the Sun Belt Championship game MVP in 2010. He’s currently a QB coach for the Trojans.
5. WR Jerrel Jernigan (2007-10)
Jernigan was one of the biggest threats in the country when he was on the field, no matter where he lined up. Jernigan finished his career with the most receptions in program history (262) and receiving yards (3,128). His 18 receiving TDs are fifth-most, and he also rushed for 892 yards and handled kickoff and punt return duties.
4. DE Demarcus Ware (2001-04)
Ware helped the Trojans get established after they transitioned from Division I-AA to Division I-A (FCS to FBS) in 2001. The former defensive end was voted the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year after finishing that season with 53 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Ware went on to have a decorated pro career and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. DL Osi Umenyiora (1999-2002)
Part of one of the best defensive fronts in the country in 2002, Umenyiora was named All-American after finishing with 20.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. Umenyiora, from London, England, was named All-Southland twice before going to the New York Giants, where he won two Super Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 2005. Troy was the only program to offer Umenyiora an athletic scholarship.
2. LB Carlton Martial (2018-22)
A former walk-on, Martial was among the best tacklers in the country despite his smaller frame. He finished his career with 577 tackles, which is the most ever in the FBS. Martial was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and was an All-American. He also owns the Sun Belt record with 22 tackles in a single game.
1. RB Kimani Vidal (2020-23)
Every time Vidal touched the ball, you thought he was going for a big gain. His explosiveness was constantly on display as he rushed for a school-record 4,010 yards during his career. Vidal also owns the single-season record and four of the top five single-game rushing records. His 33 rushing TDs are fourth-most. He was named the 2023 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and was an All-American. He is having a nice career with the LA Chargers.
