Troy junior and Andalusia native Brannon Bryan will start at the “Will” linebacker slot as the Trojans travel to take on Clemson University in their season-opener this Saturday.

Bryan walked on to play football with the Trojans, and started four games for the team in the linebacker position.

“I really think when he wound up in the line up and with his knowledge of the defense and his ability to know what to do on it, and be where he needs to be on every snap really solidified our defense last year,” Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney said. “We played a lot better those last three games (against Western Kentucky, Florida-Atlantic and Ohio University).

“(Bryan’s) a guy that walked-on, his daddy (Tim) played here,” he said. “He’s got Troy blood running through his veins.”

As a child, Bryan suffered from a form leukemia at 7 years old, which caused him to have issues dealing with the heat, Tim Bryan said.

Brannon still has issues with the heat to this day, his father said.

Blakeney said Bryan has worked hard to be able to earn a starting roll on the team.

“He still has heat problems, but we try to make sure we take care of him on that,” Blakeney said. “He’s a good football player. He’s a good team guy. I think a lot of him.”

Blakeney said he’s looking for his team to play a full “60 minutes” this week against the Tigers.

The game will be televised by ESPN3.com, and will begin at 2:30 p.m. CST.