Barker kept getting better and better, but suffered a season-ending knee injury during an Oct. 4 victory over Georgia State.
They are back for another battle this season, but they aren’t alone. Last year’s eventual backup, Gunnar Watson, is a redshirt freshman, and Troy’s touted signing class included junior college and former Vanderbilt transfer Jacob Free of Brantley and true freshman Gavin Screws of Jacksonville, Fla.
With just 15 spring practices to evaluate, including the annual T-Day Game on April 20, managing practice reps will be a challenge for head coach Chip Lindsey and offensive coordinator Ryan Pugh.