Hernando's Men Of Troy

Last year two former Hernando County prep stars came to Troy University in Troy, Ala. following two very different paths.

One came fresh out of high school and left an immediate - though relatively small - mark on the Division I Trojans.

The other came with the seasoning of two years at the junior college level, yet never played a down instead redshirting for the season.

As the Trojans prepare for this upcoming season, running back DuJuan Harris and center Windham Rotunda are set to play bigger roles in their second go-round at Troy, a team that went 8-4 in 2007.

A new Foxx hunt

For the 19-year-old Harris - listed at 5-foot-7, 190 pounds and still going by the nickname of 'Foxx' - his freshman campaign following his 2007 graduation from Central High featured some significant action.

He played in all 12 games as a back-up running back and kick returner, finishing third on the team in rushing with 372 yards on 82 carries.

He added five receptions for 29 yards, six kickoff returns for 144 yards and one punt return for 18 yards. He has yet to reach the end zone during his brief collegiate career.

Not exactly the numbers he put up as a senior at Central, when he ran for 1,641 yards and 17 touchdowns, but not a bad rookie debut.

"It was a good experience," Harris said. "I got the feeling of the game out of the way early. I can come back as a true sophomore and have a better year."

Like most athletes that make the jump from high school to college, Harris noted the speed of the game as the biggest difference. He said he learned "not to dance too much. Come up with a decision and stick to it."

Currently, he's working on finishing his runs and picking up the blitz. As the top returning rusher, he projects to take over as the Trojans' featured back.

"DuJuan Harris has a chance to be really good, the sky is the limit for him," said Troy Offensive Coordinator Neal Brown in the team's media guide.

Harris feels he needs to build up his leadership, already seeing himself as a teacher toward the team's younger backs.

During his high school days, Harris never seemed completely satisfied. When he won two state championships in track and field, he was more disappointed he didn't medal in his other two events.

He hasn't stop raising the bar. He has one simple goal for himself: to be the best running back in the Sun Belt Conference. From there, he'll see where he stands in the nation.

With Troy playing at Louisiana State University and Ohio State, he'll have the chance to show off on a national stage.

"It's a big opportunity," Harris said. "You can't look at the names of the schools. They're human, too. They're not invincible. I see it as a big opportunity."

Attitude adjustment

The 21-year-old Rotunda seeks his own opportunity as he works his way up the depth chart.

Projected as a reserve on the offensive line, the 6-foot-2, 295-pounder believes he'll receive a legitimate shot at playing time. Because of last year's redshirt, this represents his junior season.

"I put in a lot of work over the offseason," Rotunda said. "I lost weight, got stronger. I feel better about myself. I feel real athletic right now.

"We didn't graduate any O-linemen. I wasn't anywhere near the position I am now. That tells me a lot about my progress."

A 2005 graduate of Hernando High, Rotunda spent two years starring at College of the Sequoias, a junior college in California where he was a second-team All-American as a sophomore offensive guard.

However, the move to Troy proved humbling. He admits now that he "blew himself up" in his mind and didn't work as hard as needed to earn a spot with the Trojans.

A stronger work ethic combined with a newer, younger offensive coordinator in the 27-year-old Brown has Rotunda feeling much better about his situation.

"Right now I've just got to work myself up the chain," Rotunda said. "I've done a whole lot more than I did last season."

He too looks forward to Troy's stacked schedule featuring the two teams who played for the national title last season.

"It's the kind of thing every one of us here was dreaming about when we were little boys," Rotunda said.

Unlike Harris, though, Rotunda doesn't necessarily have aspirations of pursuing a football career beyond his college days. He has his sites set on the professional wrestling scene.

The son of Mike Rotunda - better known as I.R.S. to WWE fans - has wrestling in his blood. His maternal grandfather, Robert Windham, is WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan.

He also has two uncles, Barry Windham and Kendall Windham, who are former professional wrestlers. Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham are currently still employed by the WWE.

But that decision still remains in the future, as Rotunda has a college career and degree in broadcast journalism to finish up.

"I'm competing for a spot, I'll do the best I can," Rotunda said. "I feel that I'm performing as best as I have in my life. I'll find a way sooner or later."

BY THE NUMBERS: DUJUAN HARRIS
RUSHING
YEAR                     ATT       YDS        AVG.      TD          LG
2007                      082       372        4.54        00          34