Tulsa's Kragthorpe Welcomes Players as Preseason Camp Begins
8/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 5, 2003
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa football team reported to campus on Tuesday for preseason workouts. First-year Head Coach Steve Kragthorpe welcomed a total of 94 players, including 61 returning players, 21 scholarship newcomers and 12 new walk-on athletes.
"I'm excited to get back on the field. It's been a long 3 1/2 month not having the ability to be hands-on with the players, but it has been a very, very productive 3 1/2 months. We're well-prepared as a staff and were excited to get back on the field," said Kragthorpe.
Of the newcomers, 16 hail from the state of Oklahoma and 12 are from the state of Texas. Two junior college defensive backs -- Oliver Fletcher and Michael LeDet -- are among the newcomers reporting today. Both Fletcher and LeDet played two years at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College. LeDet rejoins former prep teammates from West Orange Stark (Texas) High School -- Jermaine Hope and Jeff Thibodeaux.
Among the newcomers is freshman defensive back Shannon Carter, who since 1997 has played professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles and most recently the Toronto Bluejays organization. Carter played prep football at El Reno (Okla.) High School. Also reporting is sophomore defensive lineman Adam Pinkard, a 6-3, 300-pounder from Launceston, Australia. He transfers to Tulsa from Oral Roberts University, and will be eligible immediately.
Junior receiver Edmond Freeman has elected not to return to the Golden Hurricane. Junior walk-on defensive back Patrick Montoya will report late. Junior college transfer Brandon Jones failed to graduate from junior college and is not eligible to play Division I football.
Tulsa will have its first practice on Wednesday night at Harwell Field. Practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights will be open. Practices beginning on Saturday will be closed to the public.
