Interview: 2017 Louisiana DL Troy James Updates Season and Arkansas Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A dream was fulfilled on Oct. 13 for Troy James when the Madison Prep Academy talent verbally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The partnership was a win-win putting James with an “SEC powerhouse” and Arkansas with a Louisiana talent they wanted to help shore up their defensive front for years to come.

Easy to see how Arkansas and 24 other programs came to offer James. The 6-3, 280 pound, lineman pops off the screen when watching his film. He dominates his competition lining up at tackle or end using his size, strength, and speed stopping the run and against the pass constantly collapsing the pocket forcing opposing quarterbacks to scramble for daylight. Arkansas flipped James away from his June 28 commitment to the Kansas Jayhawks but also recruited against programs like Indiana, North Carolina State, Colorado State, Cincinnati, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, San Diego State, and UTSA. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Hogs, other than Kansas, was keeping him away from the Oklahoma Sooners.

All the fuss about James started in 2015 when he helped Madison Prep to an 11-1 season coming up with 73 tackles, 15 sacks, 14 QB hurries, and eight tackles for a loss. 2016 season stats have not been released yet by the school, but James is back being a disruptive force. Madison Prep is 12-0 with a second round Louisiana High School Playoff game against Mangham on Friday night.

Diehard fans of the Razorbacks may have noticed a timeline jump in the lead-in. James announced his commitment to the public on Nov. 14 but was a silent commit for a month. To get the inside scoop on his commitment to the Hogs, decommitment from Kansas, and an overview on his senior season, I sat down with James for an exclusive interview.

Interview

Troy, you’ve been playing at the varsity level since your freshman year. Did you start then?

“Yes, sir.”

How has your game improved this season with three years of varsity experience now on your side?

“My technique and pass rushing has gotten better. This summer I spent every day working on my pass rush. I went to a lot of camps and after practice worked really hard on my pass rush.”

How do you describe your game to others or how would you if asked?

“I would describe it as playing psychical and fast. I play the game the way it is supposed to be played. Everyone says I play dirty, I don’t think I play dirty. I play the way it is supposed to be play. I play physical and with an attitude.”

How or why do people say you play dirty?

“Because, one of my old teammates Michael Roach. We used to play the same. When I hit, I bring the love so the other guy does not want to play anymore.”

Enough said. What are some of the technical parts of the game you do well? How do you control the line of scrimmage for Madison Prep so well?

“A lot of teams cannot run on us, they send double-teams my way to try to stop me. I have worked on taking on double-teams a lot. I get off the ball quickly. That is most of it.”

You line up with a hand on the ground at tackle and at end, and sometimes you are lined up on the edge either standing up or with a hand on the ground. Which position do you like best?

“I like standing up, I know where my money will be made at and that is on the inside. One-on-one they can’t get me on the outside. When they double-team me on the inside that lets me know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.”

Do you remember what you maxed out on in the weight room this summer?

“I know my hand-cling was 285 and my squat was 405.”

Let’s talk about the team a little. You guys just destroyed Delcambre 76-0 in the Louisiana 2A playoffs and are now gearing up for Mangham (6-5). What kind of challenge do the Dragons bring to the field against you guys?

“They will be the best we’ve seen all season. They match up with height and size. Everyone tries to give us their best game. We have to play our best to win.”

The team went 11-1 a year ago before a heartbreaking 13-12 playoff loss to St. Charles Catholic. Does that game help motivate you guys game after game?

“Yes, sir. We talk about that all the time. Our coaches drill that into us. We are motivated as a team, as seniors. We have 20 seniors. This is our last chance. We all have this dream. We are trying to prove everyone wrong.”

Let’s switch over to recruiting. Which schools have you taken official and unofficial visits to this year?

“I have taken unofficial visits to Kansas, Colorado, Miami, Florida, and Florida State. I took an official to Arkansas (Oct. 8).”

When you decommitted from Kansas on Oct. 11, was Arkansas in the back of your mind or did you have a couple of schools you were seriously considering as your top school? You had just taken an official visit to Fayetteville on Oct. 8.

“I was considering Oklahoma too. I was open to everyone. It was not my plan to commit to Arkansas when I got home but after I left Arkansas I loved it so much I had to commit. I knew that is the place where I wanted to be.”

The visit obviously went well. What all did you do then?

“I was taken to the Catfish Hole (restaurant). It was great. I met the team and I hung out with Nate Dalton (redshirt freshman defensive back from Baton Rouge).”

What did you think about the facilities, fans, and the environment?

“The fans are great. The facilities are nice, and they are brand new. The fans are behind the team 100 percent win or lose. They never turn their back on them. I like that.”

What influenced you to commit to the Hogs?

“I spoke with my mom and she approved. I like their academic program. They have the tools to help me graduate from college.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I talked to Coach B. (head coach Bret Bielema). Coach B called my mom that night. She had questions for him. He answered all of her questions. She said told him ‘he (Troy) has something to tell you.’ She handed me the phone and I committed. I was committed for a long time before everyone knew.”

When did you commit to the Hogs?

“Two days after decommitting from Kansas.”

Was that something that was tough for you to keep quiet?

“No, sir. I’m a guy that jokes around. Everyone asked me if I had committed or will. I’d say ‘I don’t know’ or I’d tell them I was interested in other schools to throw them off.”

What was the reaction of Coach Bielema when you committed?

“He was very excited. He was happy.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“I was – I would not say I was nervous but I was excited. I was excited getting to commit to an SEC powerhouse.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

“Yes, sir. I have talked to my teammate Bryan Jones (three-star 2017 defensive end) telling him to come up.”

Is he open to it?

“I’m not sure, but the Hogs are in his Top 5.”

*Released a Top 5 on Twitter Thursday night with Texas A&M, Houston, Texas, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State in no order.

How are you going pitching Bryan to join you?

“I’m telling him everything, I am being honest with him. We can help the program be even better.”

Troy, thanks for your time today and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: James family; Troy James at Arkansas with Nate Dalton.

Photo credit: scout.com; Troy James at Madison Prep