Higgins bringing touchdowns to Troy
FLORENCE, Ala. (BVM) — This past season, the Troy University football team finished with a 5-6 record. Its last regular season game versus Louisiana – Monroe was canceled due to COVID-19 complications, effectively ending its season. They did not qualify for a bowl game.
But in 2021, things should look much better for the Trojans. Their incoming recruiting class is the highest rated in their program’s history. Nine of their 18 newest members are Alabama natives, including one of their signature signees.
That is Peyton Higgins of Mars Hill Bible School, a two-time state champion and the owner of the AHSAA state record for kickoffs returned for touchdowns.
Higgins played for his dad, Darrell, and produced video game numbers throughout his high school career. He ended his time as a Panther with 8,945 all-purpose yards and 100 touchdowns. Yet he refused to take any credit for it, just saying that his teammates were the ones who generated his yardage.
“I had a very good O-line and lots of other teammates that contributed to my success so I just have to give them credit for everything I got,” Higgins said.
Whether it was thanks to his teammates or just pure talent, he was recently named the ASWA Back of the Year for the state of Alabama at the 2A level. He lined up primarily as a running back for the Panthers, but will be joining the Troy Trojans as a wide receiver. However, he made his money returning punts and kicks.
He has a record-holding nine kickoffs returned for touchdowns and another seven punts taken to the house. At just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, he’s able to use his quickness to burst out ahead of the defense.
“I have to use my speed and work on my change of direction so I can win open field battles,” Higgins said. “I just have to be faster than most of my opponents.”
That speed has earned him a spot in Alabama football history, and now he’s hoping to expand upon that legacy at in-state Troy. While his stats jumped off the page, his offers didn’t quite follow suit. No major Division I programs offered him, as his list included schools of mid-major caliber: Austin Peay, North Alabama and Tennessee Tech, just to name a few.
Regardless, Higgins will be on scholarship at a Division I school, with a chance to compete in bowl games and create an NFL resume. This will fulfill a childhood dream.
“I’m just glad that Troy gave me an opportunity and I’m very thankful for that,” Higgins said. “I really like the coaching staff at Troy, the campus, and they have a great tradition of winning and beating larger schools. It’s a great environment and a great place for me.”
Having been a state champion multiple times, Higgins knows what success looks like. He’ll be able to contribute to the program right away whether that is on the field or on the sidelines. The intangibles of being a winner are things that he will carry over to his team in Troy.
The speed demon of a kick returner will help his new teammates see that the ingredients to winning at a high level are coming together as a team and playing for the teammate beside you. But if he can find some personal success at the same time, it’ll be a win-win for everyone involved.
“Maybe I’ll set some more records at Troy, we’ll see,” Higgins said.
