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Pirate Notebook No. 60
Monday, March 25, 2002

By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist

Sophomore Paul Troth focuses on the
action during spring drills. Next fall, he is
expected to take over the mantle from a
long line of accomplished East Carolina
quarterbacks. [Photo, by Sara Whitford,
used courtesy of LoganZone.com. ©2002 LoganZone.com]

Paul Troth insists on leading a normal college life. And to some degree, he is able to do so.

Like most underclassmen, Troth lists "Undecided" as his major. Understandably, he hasn't identified a career choice just yet, though he spouts several possibilities for the future. History has emerged as his favorite subject, which is directly reflected by his grades — all A's.

In his spare time, Troth enjoys hanging out with friends, especially roommates Charlie Dempsey and Hagen Mason. PlayStation 2 is the centerpiece of much of their fellowship, though gut-wrenching simulations of college football have a history of being overly intense.

Each morning, Troth strolls unobtrusively to class, stopping occasionally to chat with friends. If it weren't for his six-foot-four, 238-pound frame, the 19-year old sophomore would duck in and out of class virtually unnoticed.

The majority of the student population doesn't recognize him, let alone his significance on a campus steeped in football culture. Few realize he is the school's most high-profile athlete... Head coach Steve Logan's newest prodigy... The latest protagonist in the high profile saga that revolves around East Carolina quarterbacks.

"People don't really know who I am yet," Troth said. "I don't wear a lot of our East Carolina stuff on campus. I'd rather people know me as a college student and a good person than just as a football player."

While Troth's on-campus existence has been marked by relative obscurity, his presence in cyberspace is worthy of Hall-of-Fame mention. Two years ago, his name was tossed around Internet message boards like a hot potato, as the subject of a high-profile recruiting battle between East Carolina and a Who's Who list of national contenders.

Miami pursued him aggressively, claiming he could be the next sure thing at Quarterback U. Jim Donnan wanted him between the hedges, where the Dawgs haven't won a national title since Herschel's Heisman days.

But instead of adding another blue chip to the BCS bunch, Troth chose East Carolina, where his father, Mike, lettered in 1973. Family ties aside, the talented gunslinger cited his relationship with Logan as the deciding factor, which began when Troth was a puberty-stricken seventh grader eager to hone his signal-calling skills in summer camp.

From the outset, the two mirrored each other in focus and shared the same vision of a quick-strike attack.

"I loved his intensity," Troth said of Logan. "His intensity is like nobody I've ever met coach-wise."

"His idea of football is scoring points — exciting, fast tempo offense. He wants the offense to dictate games. He does not want to be dictated. That's the kind of mentality that I have."

With that mindset, and a 100% commitment to football (he played baseball up until his freshman year), Troth flourished into one of the nation's premier prep field generals. Following a junior season in which he passed for 2,147 yards and 24 touchdowns, Troth was named one of the nation's Elite 11 quarterbacks, to go along with a preseason All-America selection.

By the time he completed his scholastic career, Troth had shattered the Mecklenburg County record for both passing yardage and touchdowns. That's the same area that produced prolific passers CJ Leak, David Green, and Keith Madkins, all of which inked Division-I deals.

With enough credits to graduate early and little else to prove in high school, Troth enrolled last spring at East Carolina, giving him a head start in the classroom and a leg up on the football field. One year later, he has etched his name atop the Pirates' depth chart, distancing himself from challengers Desmond Robinson and Sakeen Wright this spring.

Now, the Davidson native can positively reflect on his decision to enter college early, thanks to the positive results shown on the practice field.

"I think I have really improved a bunch in the year that I've been here," Troth said. "Mentally, I've got a whole new perspective on the game.

"Physically, I've really improved in the weight room, with the help of coach Whitten. But mentally, I'm more proud of what I've done on the field, and it's carried over to the physical aspects."

Termed a "gym rat" by Logan, Troth has worked almost obsessively over the past 13 months. When he wasn't on the practice field, receiving expert instruction from Logan and offensive coordinator Doug Martin, he was in the weight room, adding more than 30 pounds of bulk to his rail-like frame. When he wasn't fine-tuning his physique, he was studying diligently in the film room, dissecting his game.

The added strength and polished techniques have given Troth more zip on his throws, which could significantly bolster the Pirates' intermediate passing game next fall.

"I've really improved overall with the pace on my throws," he said. "I always thought I threw hard in high school, but I knew I had to step it up in college and throw even harder."

The increased velocity hasn't been detrimental to his accuracy, evident by his performances in spring ball. In the Pirates' two scrimmages, he completed 12-of-16 and 13-of-18 passes, respectively.

About the only question remaining is whether or not Troth can live up to his all-everything billing. He is acutely aware that much will be expected of him from boosters in the stands, but he steadfastly keeps his perspective on an even keel.

"With the fans, I think there are a lot of expectations," Troth said. "But in my mind, I just came in like all the other freshmen.

"The high school accolades do kind of bring on pressure from the fans' standpoint. But from teammates, and from myself, I don't think that pressure is there like the fans think it should be."

Pressure, however, is inevitable for a starting quarterback at East Carolina. It comes with the territory. With three former ECU QBs in the pros, and another well on his way, the Pirate public has grown to expect record-breaking results under center, especially from one with an impressive resume.

But Troth is quick to suggest that he is focused primarily on developing his strengths, not filling the shoes of his accomplished predecessors.

"There is always a lot of pressure involved, but I don't think the pressure is to try to be like David (Garrard)," he said. "I just need to be my own style of quarterback and help the team in any way that I can, and I think everything will take care of itself.

"The pressure is just going out and performing up to my capabilities everyday. The pressure is not to be like David Garrard, Marcus Crandell, or Jeff Blake. They each had their own qualities, and I have mine."

Thought prior to the 2001 season as a redshirt candidate, Logan chose instead to elevate Troth to number two on the depth chart, but played him sparingly. On the year, he completed just one of four passes for five yards in three games.

Looking back, Troth notes both pros and cons of his college football genesis. It's true, he lost one year of eligibility and the rare opportunity to be a four-year starter, but the maturity he gained as an understudy to Garrard should pay dividends next season.

On road trips, the Garrard and Troth bunked in the same hotel room, where the youngster studied the senior's pre-game preparation. On campus and in the locker room, the incumbent taught the QB-elect how to take on adversity with dignity, class and grace.

Now, the torch has been officially passed from the quiet, likable, record-breaking Garrard to the mild-mannered, clean-cut, precision passing teenager from Vance High.

Troth appears primed for the challenge, and plans to assert himself as a leader, despite his sophomore status.

"Whenever you are at the quarterback position, you know you have to lead the team, whether you lead by example, or lead vocally," Troth said. "I certainly plan to do my share.

"I've always learned that if you are the quarterback, it is pretty much a given. You've got to accept that responsibility. The quarterback has to be the leader and the coach on the field for the team."

That leadership should come in handy for a team that loses its focal points on both offense and defense. With record breakers Garrard, Leonard Henry, and Pernell Griffin now pursuing their NFL dreams, some expect the Pirates to fade quietly next season.

"Every year, we want to go to a bowl game and win the conference," Troth said. "There should be no reason not to think that. I'd like to bring a conference championship here."