Practice Report #12: Montgomery Pleased with Practice Tempo; A Look at the Running Backs

The University of Tulsa Copyright©

Running Back Coach Justin Hill Interview

TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team was on the practice field today for practice No. 12 of preseason camp.

"I thought we were better with our tempo today. Yesterday, the defense stepped up to the challenge," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery. "Today, offensively, I thought we raised our level a little bit. We came out with an edge, but we have to do that every day. We can't wait around and expect to flip on a switch and it happens. We have to approach it that way every day, and I thought we did a good job of that. We had really good energy today."

Coach Montgomery talked about the freshman class following today's workout session.

"They're doing good. I've seen great improvement in those guys. They're understanding what we're doing a little bit more. They're not giving you that dead space look when they're looking at signals. They're moving more fluidly, and understanding the concept and where they need to be. They still have a long way to go, but I've been really impressed with this freshmen group. With as many reps as they've gotten they have really handled it well," said Montgomery about his freshman class.

More than likely there will be at least a handful of freshmen providing depth for the Hurricane this year. "We can see that for sure," said Montgomery of freshmen adding to the depth of the roster this season.

"We have some guys, freshmen-wise who are already in the two-deep, and some of that is a numbers thing and some of that is they've done a good job and they've earned that spot up to this point," said Montgomery. "We'll see how they continue to progress. Fall camp is tough on them. They've gone through their two-a-days in high school, but this is a little bit longer, a little more physical and it takes a toll on you. You could break down mentally as well as you can physically."

Tulsa is back on the practice field Monday before taking Tuesday off from the practice field for the Annual Football Kickoff Luncheon and team photo day.

A LOOK AT THE RUNNING BACKS:
Tulsa returns the American Athletic Conference's leading returning rusher to the 2017 running backs corps in the likes of D'Angelo Brewer.

As preseason camp has progressed, it's obvious that Brewer is not the only weapon in the Hurricane backfield entering the 2017 season.

"We probably have more depth at the running back position than we've had in a while, that I feel really confident about. It was good to see in the scrimmage earlier this week some of those guys get some live reps that really helped us determine where we are at the position," said Montgomery.

Brewer, a preseason candidate for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards, gained 1,435 yards, a 5.4 average and seven touchdowns last season, and enters the 2017 campaign with 2,400 rushing yards in his career.

Senior Rowdy Simon, junior Ramadi Warren, sophomores Corey Taylor II and Javon Thomas and freshmen Shamari Brooks and Reed Martin have each had bright moments during preseason camp. Simon rushed for 102 yards and a 5.7 average on 18 carries last season. Taylor had only five carries in 2016, while his first collegiate attempt went for a two-yard touchdown at Houston. Thomas played in just one game a year ago.

Warren missed the 2016 season, but as a red-shirt freshman in 2015 he rushed for 475 yards and six TDs.

"In the scrimmage, Corey (Taylor) played really well. Shamari (Brooks) played well. Reed Martin had a big run, so a bunch of those guys have stepped up. They're learning the playbook and learning what we're doing," said Montgomery. "I'm really pleased with where our running back position is now."

Brooks brings outstanding credentials from Tulsa's Union High School, where he led his team to the Class 6A state title a year ago. Brooks rushed for 2,018 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior. Martin gained 2,343 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior at nearby Lincoln Christian High School.

Practice Report #12: Montgomery Pleased with Practice Tempo; A Look at the Running Backs

Related News

Players Mentioned

D'Angelo Brewer

Shamari Brooks

Reed Martin

Rowdy Simon

Corey Taylor II

Javon Thomas

Ramadi Warren

Related Videos