Around here they're better known as Luke Randolph, Justin Gregory and Trey Collier, the Troy Trojans' linebacker crew who have made a habit of making life miserable for opponents.

Yeah, they're physical and aggressive and are three players that rarely leave the field but there's more to it than that.

There's a certain bond, a comfort level - one they say was built in middle school - that's made these three unique personalities work so well together at linebacker, just like they did as youngsters.

"We just kind of went back into that (middle school) mode and just jelled together," Gregory said.

Added Randolph: "Our personalities came together."

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Randolph's the quiet one, the guy that's gone about his work the last two-plus seasons without much fanfare.

Though that's just life on the offensive line, where he's been as valuable as anyone as the Trojans' starting center.

Randolph's duties at center were part of the reason why almost all the time he'd gotten at linebacker in the past came in practice.

But after last season Randolph made it clear he wanted his chance to start at linebacker, a spot where the Trojans had several openings.

"He's worked extremely hard to play both ways," Troy coach Grady Rowe said. "He's always wanted to and this year, he really expressed that he wanted to play both ways."

Randolph's recollection of that conversation is pretty simple.

"I told (Rowe) that I was going to work hard and get it done," Randolph said.

So far, so good.

Randolph has a team-high 57 tackles, including a season-best 14 in Troy's win over Rogers. He also has nine or more tackles in three more games to go with eight tackles for loss.

"Now we feel like he's such a good linebacker that we have to have him there," Rowe said.

And when he's out there, it's a whole different Luke Randolph.

The usually reserved guy - also known for making money showing rabbits in area livestock shows - turns into a hard-hitting machine.

"When he's on the field, he's totally different," Collier said. "His anger goes up really high. I never see Luke like that until I'm on the field. I try not to talk to him too much during the game because he's always ticked off."

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Gregory's the goofy one, the guy that's made enough jokes to earn that reputation but is just as well known for making big plays at even bigger times.

He's been involved in game-changing plays in the Trojans' statement victories over Rogers and Crawford, cementing his status as the defensive playmaker.

Against Rogers, Gregory picked off a pass late in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning score. Against Crawford, Gregory recovered three fumbles - including one he returned 76 yards that eventually turned into a touchdown - and pounced on a blocked punt in the end zone for a key score in the fourth quarter.

"He's just got a knack that sometimes is hard to coach," Rowe said. "He just has a knack for the ball and I think that does come with experience but with just being an athlete. He seems to always be around the ball. When big plays are happening, he's right there."

That's part of the way Gregory - called Greg by his friends - has made his name in the last three seasons as a starting linebacker. Through seven games this season, Gregory has 55 tackles, including five for loss.

"(The experience) helps because you know what they're doing on certain stuff and holes to hit," he said. "Those couple extra years help a lot."

The other way he's made himself known is a side few have seen. Take, for example, a recent prank.

Caution signs were scattered about the Trojans' locker room, along with a hand-written note that read, 'We found there's staph in here. Coach Rowe.'

The culprit? You guessed it.

"It's not something you think he would do," Collier said. "It's kind of funny to know Greg would do something like that."

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Collier's the funny one, the jokester, the guy who admits he doesn't take much seriously. No matter the situation, he'll find a way to turn it into a good laugh.

"Trey's the character out of the group," Rowe said. "He keeps everything a bit looser but when it's time to really get after it, he's going to get after it. You need Trey; you need that type of personality."

It's a role he embraces. The way Collier looks at it, the only place he wants to be serious is on the field.

"When people are around me," Collier said, "I guess they expect to laugh or something funny's going to go on. I like that role, always lighten up the mood."

Though for Collier, making the move from free safety back to linebacker wasn't a joking matter. Sure, he'd played linebacker before but to make an impact as a senior, he'd need to put on at least 20 pounds.

"Being a 170-pound linebacker, it's not that hard to get run over," Collier said.

That's not an issue now. Collier's up to 190-195 pounds and has made 30 tackles from his weakside linebacker spot.

"He worked hard in the offseason and got where he was real strong," Rowe said. "We felt like that was an obvious change to make."

After a few initial questions about whether the move would work out, all it took was a few weeks to feel comfortable back at linebacker.

"I was used to being able to see the whole field and I had time to react," he said. "Now, you gotta know what's happening right then. You gotta know where it's at. It's a lot faster than what I'm used to. I've adjusted to it and I like it a lot better."

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When they found it was going to be this group of three friends back together at linebacker, it wasn't a matter of will it work but how long would it take for things to feel like they did in middle school.

Turns out, it wasn't long.

"First scrimmage when I finally got to see how us three were going to be there," Collier said, "I was pretty comfortable. It feels normal knowing they're right there beside me."

Added Randolph: "Having played together since middle school, we had a pretty good chemistry going. We clicked pretty fast."

The comfort level is just one reason why there's no worries if someone can't make the play. There's always another one - someone they trust and know well - right there.

With that kind of chemistry, no wonder this Trojan defense is so stifling.

"All of us together," Gregory said, "we're pretty good."