TROY — It was a celebration of hard work in the Trojan Activity Center Wednesday morning.

Which came as no surprise to Troy football coach Dan Gress.

Troy offensive lineman Ethan Freed and Jakob Moorman and defensive lineman Adam Decerbo made their decision on where they will play college football official.

“There is no surprise with any of these guys,” Gress said. “This class is the group that elevated Troy football. They have done that both on and off the field. People see what they have done on the field, but their work ethic leadership off the field is just as important.”

And Grass said all three made excellent choices for their future.

“They are all going to play college football in Ohio and that’s great to see,” he said. “They chose schools that are outstanding academically as well as on the football field.”

Adam DeCerbo

Decerbo, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman is the son of Dan Decerbo and Amy Stoltz.

He had 51 tackles, 1.5 sacks and recovered a fumble for the Trojans last year.

Decerbo said the decision to go to Ohio University was an easy one.

“I already had an academic scholarship there,” he said. “So, that was hard to turn down.”

He also likes the campus.

“It is a really nice campus,” Decerbo said. “I have talked to a lot of people who went there, both about academics and athletics. None of them have had anything bad to say about it.”

Decerbo knows playing D-I college football will be a challenge.

“Everyone will be on the same level as me athletically,” Decerbo said. “If I want to play football, I am going to have to work really hard, because they all are working really hard. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Decerbo will play defensive tackle for the Bobcats.

“I played defensive end this year, but I have played all over at Troy,” he said. “I have played everywhere (on the defensive line), so it is something I have done before.”

Ethen Freed

Freed is a 6-1, 318 pound offensive lineman.

He is the son of Jennifer and Aaron Freed.

Freed said electing to play at Ashland University was an easy decision.

“It has the feel of a football town,” Freed said. “The community really gets behind the football team. I really liked the whole atmosphere there.”

And he looks forward to the challenge of D-II college football.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I am someone that likes to be challenged and has to work for what he gets.”

And he is hoping to make an impact right away.

“They told me they only had a couple senior offensive lineman,” he said. “They told me they felt like I could come in an make a impact right away. I know I am going to have to work hard.”

Jakob Moorman

Moorman is a 6-3, 320-pound offensive lineman.

He is the son of Jeff and Jen Moorman.

Moorman will be playing for Tiffin University and it is a place he feels very comfortable with.

“It just feels like home,” he said. “My family is from Tiffin.”

Moorman said academics had something to do with it as well.

He will major in cyber security.

“They have a strong program that I want to go into,” he said. “I really liked the coaches and the campus. Everything about it.”

Moorman said he hopes to make an impact right away.

“I think I can,” he said. “It is at least a good place to start. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

As all three did in a senior class that helped elevate the Troy football program.