Practice Report #11: Tulsa Gets Rain During Morning Workout; A Look at the Cornerbacks

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Cornerback Coach Aaron Fletcher Interview

TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team practiced for 90 minutes Saturday morning in helmets and shoulder pads for the 11^th practice session of the preseason with a light steady rain for a good portion of the workout.

"Our defense came out and had a lot of spirit about them. I thought they flew to the football and played really well. I thought they responded to how I challenged them yesterday. You always like seeing that," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery. "Offensively, we had some ups and downs throughout practice. We had some points where I thought we executed at the level I want, and several sports in there where we didn't. We still have a lot of growing to do in there."

"I want us to be more consistent and that will just come with more work and time," added Montgomery.

In a way, today's rain was welcome by Montgomery.

"You're going to have to fight through adversity in games. We're going to have games where it'll rain, we're going to have games that are hot, games that are cold, games with a ton of wind. It's just us coming out and not letting the elements affect us, and understanding that both teams are playing in it and we have to continue to execute," said Montgomery. "As the elements get heightened one way or another, our concentration level also has to heighten and we have to play at the level that we're used to playing.

"It's great to get scenarios like this because we're going to see them, and those are some things – having to throw and catch in the rain today – that is really hard to do in practice when you don't truly have rain. It was good for us to have to come out today and execute in it," added Montgomery.

The Hurricane will be back on the practice field Sunday.

A Look at the Cornerback Position:
Tulsa's numbers at the cornerback position are a little low, but there is veteran leadership and a number of young talented players vying for playing time.

The corner position returns three players with starting experience from a year ago, including senior Kerwin Thomas, sophomore Reggie Robinson II and senior Keanu Hill. Hill is still recovering from a knee injury in 2016 and has not practiced. Sophomore Keidrien Wadley, who saw most of his playing time on special teams in 2016, is Tulsa's fourth returning lettermen at the corner position.

"I think Kerwin and Reggie are playing at a really high level. Keidrien is playing at a good level, and he's a guy we have a lot of faith in. Some younger guys are getting reps at corner, and that's good for them from a growing and learning experience. We're getting there," said Montgomery.

Thomas started 10 games and Robinson had seven starts in the 2016 season. Thomas has started 28 career games and has tallied 133 tackles, 23 pass breakups and four interceptions. He tallied 58 tackles and shared the team-lead with nine interceptions in 2017.

Robinson collected 37 tackles and seven pass breakups in 13 games, while getting the starting nod in seven contests. Wadley was credited with six tackles as a red-shirt freshman last year.

"Our old guys are strong and veteran and have a lot of snaps underneath their belt, then we're pretty much inexperienced after that and there's not much in between, so for us we're continuing to grow at the corners," said Montgomery.

Red-shirt freshman Montray Norris and rookies Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV, all standing 6'1" or better, have turned in some solid play and have progressed in preseason camp.

"Our new guys bring lot of length, good speed and are savvy football players. I'm pleased with the young guys we've brought in and how they're competing. The only way they're going to get experience is to jump in there and grab the bull by the horns," said Montgomery. "Coach Fletcher has really put them to the test early, and I think our receivers are giving them fits, and that's how they're going to learn. They're competing well every day."

Practice Report #11: Tulsa Gets Rain During Morning Workout; A Look at the Cornerbacks

Players Mentioned

Akayleb Evans

Allie Green IV

Keanu Hill

Montray Norris

Reggie Robinson II

Kerwin Thomas

Keidrien Wadley

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