Less than a week before the start of summer camp, Troy has made a Power Five addition to its roster.
Monday afternoon, the Trojans announced that Junior Gnonkonde has joined the squad as a graduate transfer. Gnonkonde graduated from North Carolina in May and opted to transfer from the Tar Heels for unknown reasons.
As a grad transfer, Gnonkonde will be eligible to play immediately in 2016. This will be Gnonkonde’s final season of eligibility.
When Gnonkonde takes a seat in his first defensive meeting, he’ll see a familiar face as Troy defensive coordinator Vic Koenning served in the same capacity at UNC during the lineman’s last three seasons at Chapel Hill.
“He is a great young man, which really showed by getting his degree in four years at North Carolina,” Koenning said. “His teammates really liked him and he does everything you ask him to do. He is a freak of nature physically, but the best part of Junior is the type of young man he is. ...
“If he doesn’t come in here and play like an all-conference player and put himself in position for that type of recognition after the season, then I will be disappointed. I’ve set a pretty high bar for him, but that is why he is coming here. He is coming here because he trusts me, and he believes getting back in this system gives him a great opportunity to move on to the next level.”
All told, Gnonkonde played in 37 games for the Tar Heels. The past two seasons, he was credited with 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.