Tulsa Defensive Line Update
8/21/2019 3:00:00 PM | Football
A LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE LINE…
TULSA, Okla. –– A look at Tulsa's defensive front shows quality experience and depth returning in 2019, translating into seven lettermen and three starters to the 3-man front in Tulsa's 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
"Our group has progressed very well through camp. We're just trying to get better, stay consistent daily and trying to lock in and focus on the task at hand and get on all cylinders for game one," said Tulsa defensive line coach Jermial Ashley. "The experience and depth we have on the defensive line is a big advantage. One, because we have more guys to roll into practice to keep everyone fresh, and secondly, not only am I out there coaching, but our veterans are coaching as well. That's what experience does for you."
"I feel good about the defensive line. We have more depth than we've ever had at that position. Guys have worked extremely hard throughout camp," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery. "We have great leadership among that group. We have a lot of older guys with experience, and those guys have to continue to keep proving that leadership. We'll be as good as those guys are. They're the key what we can do defensively."
The Hurricane has a solid two-deep on the defensive front, and Ashley feels good about the third group as well.
"I feel great about the two-deep, and even the third group. They're a little younger, but they're close to being ready to jump in with the rest of those guys," said Ashley.
Senior Trevis Gipson and red-shirt freshman Deven Lamp hold down the end position, while sophomore Jaxon Player and junior Tyarise Stevenson are in the middle of the line and senior Shemarr Robinson and junior Cullen Wick are slotted for tackle.
Gipson totaled 46 tackles, 9 TFLs for -30 yards and had team-highs of 4 sacks for -20 yards and 5 forced fumbles. Robinson, Wick and Stevenson each compiled 25 or more tackles a year ago – Robinson tallied 31 tackles, 29 for Wick and 25 for Stevenson.
Player, who played as a true freshman, had 14 tackles, while 2 of Lamp's 4 tackles in minimal playing time as a red-shirt freshman went for lost yardage.
Junior nose guard JaJuan Blankenship, red-shirt freshman end Anthony Goodlow and junior red-shirt Cade Baumann each have had bright spots during camp and are three of those less experienced guys that are knocking at the door for more and more playing time.
"More than anything, we really don't have to say this guy is a starter and this guy is a backup. At certain positions upfront, both of them are starters and it's just dependent upon who we are playing or what's going on that day. I feel very confident about those guys as they roll in and out," as Montgomery echoed the comments of Ashley regarding the depth of the unit.
The Hurricane also added four true freshmen to the defensive front who hopefully will have the opportunity to redshirt in 2019.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Tackle
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Nose Guard
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Defensive End
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Linebacker
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Defensive End
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Nose Guard
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Defensive Tackle
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Nose Guard
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Defensive End
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