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Tulsa Begins Spring Football Drills
3/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 20, 2002
Tulsa, Okla. - Spring practice starts for The University of Tulsa football team on Thursday, March 21, as the Golden Hurricane begins preparations for the 2002 football season. A team that had 62 of its 88 roster player a year ago as freshmen or sophomores, returns 44 lettermen including eight starters on both offense and defense. Tulsa's first practice session is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Skelly Stadium.
On offense, sophomore quarterbacks Tyler Gooch and James Kilian returns with valuable playing experience. Although losing its top receiver, Donald Shoals, Tulsa welcomes back five letterwinners at the receiving slots and this spring will have the services of highly-touted junior college receiver Romby Bryant.
The running back position is occupied by juniors Eric Richardson and DJ Barnett, while sophomore Kevin McKenzie will sit out spring drills with an injury.
Tulsa's offensive front will look to replace tackles Kevin Shaffer and Jake Stoetzner. Shaffer's departure is due to graduation, while Stoetzner and guard Zack Newby's careers were shortened due to back injuries. Returning starters on the offensive line include Anthony Taylor, Matt Black and Tony Katic. At tight end, returning starter Jarrod Roach will miss spring drills, but sophomore Caleb Blankenship saw quality playing experience a year ago. Senior Brad Hawkins makes the move from the defensive side of the ball to tight end.
"Obviously we have to improve in a lot of offensive areas," said Head Coach Keith Burns. "Spring will afford us the opportunity to see how our young guys have progressed and to see what impact the transfers we brought in at mid-semester might have on this team."
Defensively, tackle Sam Rayburn, linebacker Michael Dulaney and rover Keithan McCorry return for their senior seasons to anchor the Hurricane defense. The front line will have to replace two graduating seniors, Drew McLaughlin and Justin Dixon. Junior college newcomers Tse Ogisi at tackle and end Wil Goff are expected to make an immediate impact.
Nine different returning players saw starting time in the defensive secondary a year ago, and are led by McCorry. Cornerbacks CJ Scott and Sherman Steptoe, both juniors, return to their starting spots, while seniors Reginald Reese, Don Gibson and Brett Butler along with juniors Chad Smith and Max Kraus and sophomore Jeff Thibodeaux all return with starting experience.
"Defensively, our emphasis will be on eliminating the big play, improving our run defense and creating turnovers."
Spring practice will culminate with the annual spring game on Saturday, April 13 at Skelly Stadium. Time is TBA. In addition, the inaugural Football Lettermen's Flag Football game will also take place on that Saturday.
