Tulsa Looks to Repeat High-Powered Offense from 2007
8/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 1, 2008
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The nation's leading offense in 2007 returns nine starters and weapons galore. The Hurricane offense amassed 543.9 yards, including 371 through the air and 172.9 on the ground, and scored 41 points per game. Tulsa's only losses to graduation included tackle Walter Boyd and the school's career passing leader Paul Smith. Tulsa's offense set 24 individual and team records a year ago.
It was an offense that had a 5,000-yard passer, one 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers - becoming the first team in NCAA history to accomplish that feat.
"We're in our second year of the system so our guys are so much farther along at understanding the blocking schemes and understanding the schematics of our run-pass game," added Graham.
QUARTERBACK
Despite the loss of Tulsa's career passing leader, Paul Smith, it appears that the Hurricane has equipped itself with two capable gunslingers to maintain Tulsa's high octane offense.
Senior David Johnson (6-3, 220), Smith's understudy for the last four years, will have an opportunity to show his ability. In Johnson's most significant playing time, he completed 20-of-30 passes for 172 yards and one TD in the 2005 season opener against Minnesota, subbing for the injured Smith.
Johnson, who has completed 65-percent of his passes for 472 yards in his career, is the leader of the quarterback race heading into fall camp.
Bakersfield Junior College quarterback Jacob Bower (6-3, 233), who originally signed with BYU out of high school, has a rifle for an arm. He led his JUCO team to a 12-1 record, while completing 61-percent of his passes for 3,034 yards and 35 touchdowns last year.
"We're really pleased with the quarterback position," said Graham. "We think David is very consistent, and he's a guy that we really trust. Jacob is an unbelievable talent with his arm strength and ability to run. We have great talent at quarterback with those two guys," said Graham.
If needed, receiver A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 180) could see playing time at quarterback. In high school, he had 11,5000 total yards and accounted for 20 touchdowns while leading his team to a three-year record of 41-2. As a senior, Whitmore passed for over 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Another quarterback who won't enter the picture until next spring after sitting out the 2008 campaign is University of Texas transfer G.J. Kinne (6-1, 220). He sat out last season for the Longhorns after putting together an All-American season at Gilmer (Texas) High School in 2006 with 3,216 yards and 47 touchdowns.
RUNNING BACK
The Hurricane running back corps returns its leading rusher from each of the last two seasons to form one of the nation's best backfield corps in 2008. Senior Tarrion Adams (6-1, 205) led Tulsa last year as he totaled 1,225 rushing yards, eight TDs and a 5.6 per carry average, while catching 30 passes for 301 yards and three TDs. He also passed for two touchdowns.
After missing last year with an Achilles injury, senior fullback Courtney Tennial (5-10, 238) returns for a sixth year of eligibility, granted by the NCAA. In 2006, Tennial rushed for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns and in the spring game he showed that he will be capable of picking up where he left off in the '06 season.
If that wasn't enough potency in the offensive backfield, the Hurricane returns its second and third top rushers from last year.
Sophomore Jamad Williams (5-9, 205) showed signs of brilliance as a red-shirt freshman last season by gaining 458 yards for a 4.3 average. Against Tulane, it was supposed to be the nation's leading rusher Matt Forte of the Green Wave who would put up big numbers, but Williams stole the show with 31 carries for a game-high 153 yards
Fullback Charles Clay (6-3, 225) was more active in the Hurricane passing game last year as a true freshman as he caught 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns, but still managed to rush for 304 yards and a 5.3 average. Clay will again be a key component in the Tulsa passing game, but will get plenty of carries in 2008.
Behind Adams and Williams at the tailback slot is red-shirt freshman Charles Opeseyitan (5-10, 205). Charlie "O", as he is commonly called, showed great promise in the spring. He rushed twice for 44 yards in the spring game after being slowed much of the fall while recovering from an earlier knee injury.
"We think that we have one of the top running back corps in the nation with Tarrion Adams and Courtney Tennial leading the way. We think Jamad Williams has improved tremendously and can be a big-time impact player for us. Then we have Charles Clay, who can both run the catch the ball as he did as a true freshman, and then Charlie "O" has unbelievable potential," said Graham.
Two seniors Jacob Frank (6-2, 234) and Aaron Johnson (5-9, 205) provide depth for the Hurricane in the backfield, Frank at fullback and Johnson at tailback. Frank played in all 14 games last year as he provides quality blocking. True freshman Willie Carter (6-2, 205), like Clay last year, will give the Hurricane another athletic and powerful player who can catch and run the ball equally well.
Walk-on Victor Pongonis (5-8, 199), who knows the system after playing for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn in high school, adds depth at fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER
Tulsa's receiving corps should be considered as one of the top groups in the country, if not the BEST.
The Hurricane returns its top six receivers from a record-setting 2007 campaign, all of whom caught passes for over 300 yards on the season, including three players totaling over 1,000 yards.
"I really believe we have a top-five receiving corps in the country. Our receiving corps is a definite strength for our team. We have a very explosive and fast group of guys," said Graham.
Senior Brennan Marion (6-1, 185), the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2007, broke a 30-year NCAA record when he averaged 31.9 yards per catch with 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns on 39 receptions. Two other 1,000-yard receivers were just true freshmen in 2007, both earning C-USA all-freshman team honors - Trae Johnson (5-11, 180), who caught 70 passes for 1,088 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns and Clay, Tulsa's returning starter at fullback, who caught 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven TDs.
Johnson and Clay were each recognized with Freshman All-America honors last year. The sure-handed Johnson led all Conference USA freshmen in receiving and was the nation's third-leading freshman receiver, as the first two were red-shirt freshmen. They both ranked among the top-eight in C-USA for receiving yards and receptions per game.
Two other stalwarts in the receiving corps is junior Jesse Meyer (6-4, 203), who caught 39 passes for 585 yards, and senior Dion Toliver (5-11, 175) with 34 receptions for 392 yards. Meyer had a team-high 114 yards and one TD on seven receptions against No. 4-ranked Oklahoma. Sophomore A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 180), who rushed for 268 yards and had four receptions, will have an expanded role in the Hurricane offense, and showed in spring drills that he too can be a go-to-guy at receiver, as well as lining up as the wildcat quarterback.
Tennessee transfer Slick Shelley (6-4, 200) proved in the spring that he can be go-to receiver.
Whitmore and Toliver will play the flanker position as will Louisiana prep all-star Damaris Johnson (5-8, 175), who gives the Hurricane great speed and ability in the receiving corps. Johnson led his Destrehan High School team to a 14-0 record and state championship, while catching 81 passes for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Backing up Meyer at wide receiver is junior college transfer Clay Sears (6-4, 212), who came to Tulsa at mid-semester as a sophomore quarterback, but moved to receiver midway through spring drills and showed his ability to catch the ball. Two more sophomores adding depth are Jake Borgsmiller (6-3, 202), who played at local Union High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, and Tyler Pistoia (6-0, 194).
At split end, the Marion and Johnson duo is joined by Shelley and red-shirt freshman Chris Ford (6-2, 195). Ford, who caught 40 passes for 768 yards as a prep senior at North Crowley High School, brings great athleticism and speed to the line-up. A pair of walk-ons, junior Corey Heinz (5-11, 170) adds depth to the Hurricane at the receiver positions.
TIGHT END
Tulsa returns two lettermen to the tight end position for the 2008 season.
Junior Jake Collums (6-4, 250) and Logan Cawyer (6-4, 254) saw considerable playing time a year ago, as Collums started five games for the Hurricane. Used mostly for blocking, Tulsa's tight ends caught only three passes last season.
Collums had all three of those receptions, while one went for an 11-yard touchdown and another for an eight-yard TD. He also had one two-point conversion reception to increase Tulsa's late minute lead over SMU from four to six points.
Junior Mike Sullivan (6-3, 237) is another of Tulsa's tight ends who is a good blocker, while newcomer Phillip Dokes (6-6, 225), a gray-shirt who came to Tulsa at mid-semester, gives the Hurricane a big and athletic target at tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line, last year a question mark heading into the season, this year it's a strength for the Golden Hurricane offense. Tulsa's offensive front returns four starters and perhaps has its most depth this decade.
A pair of seniors on the right side anchors the Tulsa offensive line in the likes of guard Justin Morsey (6-2, 296) and tackle Rodrick Thomas (6-5, 355). Morsey has started 24 games dating back to the 2006 season, while Thomas played every offensive snap last year for the Hurricane.
"We'll have a big, strong offensive line and I think it will be the best line we've had since I've been associated with the program. They have experience under their belt that helps tremendously, so we're excited about the offensive front," said Graham. "Justin Morsey and Rod Thomas are the two most under-rated offensive linemen in our conference. They combine to form a very good right side of the line."
Junior Shawn Santos (6-3, 304), who sat out last year after transferring from Trinity Valley Community College, will back-up Morsey at the guard position. At tackle, junior Travis Wike (6-4, 305) and true freshman Jared Grigg (6-4, 265) provides quality depth. Wike provides Tulsa's offensive front with great versatility as he could play any of the five positions. Grigg was a first-team all-state selection at Har-ber High School in Arkansas.
In the middle of the line is returning starter Jody Whaley (6-4, 311). The junior started 13 of 14 games at center last year for the Golden Hurricane. Whaley will be pushed by sophomore Nick Gates (6-2, 270), who was coached at Holland Hall High School by former TU All-American lineman Jerry Ostroski. Gates saw limited action in just two games as a true freshman last year.
John Bell (6-2, 274) will make the move to center from the defensive line in preseason camp. Last year, Bell was credited with six tackles and three pass break-ups from his defensive end position.
On the left side, junior Curt Puckett (6-4, 308) returns as the starter at guard, while the tackle position will have a newcomer manning the spot. Puckett started 13 of 14 games for the Hurricane last year after having played in just one game prior to the 2007 campaign. Red-shirt freshman Aaron Ringle (6-4, 260), from nearby Sand Springs High School, will back-up Puckett at left guard, as true freshman Clint Anderson (6-2, 260) brings solid credentials from Allen (Texas) High School.
The only spot on the offensive front that does not have a starter returning is at left tackle. A trio of red-shirt freshmen and a junior college transfer will battle for the starting position. Tyler Holmes (6-4, 205), who enrolled at Tulsa in January 2007, has gone through two spring practices and one full season with the Golden Hurricane. He will be pushed for the starting spot by fellow red-shirt freshmen Brandon Thomas (6-5, 270) and Wilson Holloway (6-6, 255), as both players bring great athleticism to the tackle position after seeing playing time at tight end in high school.
