Jasper Troy Ditches Football for WWE Dream, Joins NXT Roster

Jasper Troy, born Antoine Frazer, swapped the gridiron for the squared circle, chasing a lifelong passion for professional wrestling. Once a standout on the Northern Iowa football team, Troy revealed in an exclusive interview that the sport he once loved lost its spark. "Football just wasn’t fun anymore," he admitted, reflecting on his college days. Instead, the allure of WWE’s bright lights and roaring crowds reignited a childhood dream.

From obsessively watching Monday and Thursday night wrestling to battling friends in SmackDown vs. Raw video games, Troy’s heart was always in the ring. "I was locked in, begging for the latest games, dreaming of pay-per-views," he shared. When college football’s grind—intensified by the pressures of Division 1 competition—dimmed his passion, Troy knew it was time for a change.

The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a break from football gave him clarity. "I had a chance to step back and figure out what I really wanted," he said. That clarity led to a WWE tryout after his pro day, where he rediscovered the fire of his youth. "I fell in love again," Troy declared, committing fully to becoming a WWE superstar.

Now, as part of the NXT roster, Troy joins a new generation of wrestling talent, ready to make his mark. His journey from the football field to the wrestling ring is a testament to following one’s true calling, no matter the obstacles.