As we move ahead in our countdown of the Top 60 players at UM, we hit No. 21: Center A.J. Trump. The senior has been hampered by injuries in his career, but will be counted on heavily heading into his senior season.
> What we heard about him on Signing Day '05: At Clearwater Central Catholic, Trump was a two-way playing stud. His senior season he started at left tackle and racked up 81 tackles, 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss while playing at defensive end, defensive tackle and middle linebacker. He was selected to the CaliFlorida Bowl and rated the No. 8 offensive guard prospect in the country by Rivals.com and the 27th best offensive lineman in the country by Scout.com. He chose UM over Notre Dame and Florida.
> What he's done as a Cane: After being redshirted as a freshman in 2005, Trump saw action in six games at both center and left guard in 2006 until he went down with a knee injury against Virginia. Trump tried coming back in 2007, but just wasn't the same and he played just once in the opener before sitting out the rest of the year. Last season, he started in 10 games at both guard positions. Now, he'll enter his fifth and final season at UM as the leading candidate to start at center. At 6-3, 300 pounds, he is the third most experienced player on UM's line and will be the fourth different center to start in the last four years.
> What Eye On The U expects from him in '09: When it comes to pushing the pile, Trump can do it. His strength numbers (370 bench, 485 squat) rank in the Top 10 on the team and are stronger than each of his offensive line mates -- except for Harland Gunn and Orlando Franklin. Bottomline is UM needs Trump to have a stellar senior season. There are too many young and inexperienced guys behind him. Losing him at center would be a huge blow to the line.
stay healthy
Posted by: dreday | July 01, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Wow this is the 1st time i've ever posted 1st. i'm a die hard canes fan i'm hoping for improvement this year and big things next year. GO CANES
Posted by: dreday | July 01, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Trump's play will be critical to the success of the running game. Without strong center play all of those great RB's that we've stockpiled will be all dressed up with no place to go. The center position has been a huge problem for the Canes of late (Anthony Wollschlager, Xavier Shannon.... Oy.....) Let's hope that Trump has the brains and brawn to get 'er done.
Posted by: DavidJ | July 01, 2009 at 11:49 PM
1st
Posted by: dreday | July 01, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Trump has been horrible thus far and I don't see how it will change in a offseason for a guy coming into his senior year.
Posted by: tptp79 | July 02, 2009 at 03:08 AM
Trump has not been horrible. The dude suffered some injury set backs but he graded out as one of the best O-Lineman in the games he played last year.
You could easily say he was more CONSISTENT than both Franklin and Figs. Though both of them have more long term potential at the OG position. That is why he was moved inside to Center. Plus his experience on the O-Line, and his communication with Jacory will be crucial.
Sh*t I hope Jacory and him are talking blitz audibles and line calls all day. It needs to be like morse code in fast forward speed.
Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | July 02, 2009 at 08:22 AM
I hope Trump Can hike out of the shotgun
better than Shannon,getting the ball to the QB
will be a big plus.
Pray the oline stays healthy.
Canes since 1958
Posted by: Gulfstream Blue | July 02, 2009 at 09:09 AM
He might be consistently average. He never opens up holes or holds his blocks. The fact its his senior year and now the coaches are looking for him to contribute answer how productive a player he has been.
Posted by: tptp79 | July 02, 2009 at 12:34 PM
hey keep the faith the future is up for grabbs this team is going places and i want to see it.Go CANES
Posted by: jungle t | July 02, 2009 at 11:03 PM