Practice Report - Day 6
8/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 11, 2010
Wide Receivers Coach Mike Norvell and senior
wideout Trae Johnson talk about the progress of the
receiving corps in fall practice.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa football team wrapped up its sixth preseason practice Wednesday morning at H.A. Chapman Stadium. The team will wear full pads and participate in the first scrimmage of 2010 Thursday morning. The session will be closed to the media and public.
One of the strongest groups returning for the upcoming year is the receiving corps. The Golden Hurricane bring back a plethora of veteran leadership spearheaded by junior Damaris Johnson.
Johnson averaged 94.2 yards through the air and 6.5 receptions a year ago. Both marks were ranked in the top four in Conference USA. His 78 receptions and 1,131 yards both led Tulsa, and he also found the endzone three times as a wideout.
"As a receiving corps, everything is going well for us right now because we have a lot of depth," Johnson said. "We have a lot of guys out there that can do different things and bring a lot to the team. We should have plenty of depth this season."
TU receivers averaged 259.3 yards per game lastyear, which ranked fourth in the league. The Golden Hurricane return 74 percent of their receiving yards from a year ago, and 19 of the 25 receiving touchdowns also return.
"From Damaris, Ricky Johnson and Jordan James, to guys that redshirted and all of our new players, everyone has done a great job of improving," said Mike Norvell, passing game coordinator, receivers coach and director of recruiting. "With the style of play here and with our explosive offense, we can't just have four receivers that can play. We need guys that can roll in and give us quality time.
"It's good to know heading into the season that we don't have to rely on just four guys during games."
Other players Norvell mentioned who have been impressive throughout the early stages of preseason camp are third-year player Genesis Cole, sophomore transfer Jameel Owens and true freshman Thomas Roberson.
"All of those guys have done a great job of flying around and competing. Everyone is stepping up to the challenge and playing as physical as I've ever seen."
Another veteran receiver returning this season is Trae Johnson. The senior wideout is competing for a starting spot and is practicing with the first team offense. He led Tulsa with eight touchdown receptions a year ago, and he also hauled in 22 catches for 311 yards.
"I think we're all doing a heck of a job, and we're all going out there and busting our tales every play," Johnson said. "They run us from Period One to Period 27, so you have to be conditioned to be a receiver here. You also must have mental focus, and we have a lot of guys who are going to be big for us this year."
Tulsa opens the 2010 season at defending Conference USA Champion East Carolina on Sunday, September 5th on ESPN 2. Tulsa will open the home season against Bowling Green on Sept. 11th. Season tickets are available at www.TulsaHurricane.com or by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688).
TulsaHurricane.com correspondent and junior defensive
back Chris Ford chronicled TU football media day
from the players' perspective.
Today: A compilation of dance videos from Media Day.
Some of the players entertained themselves - and the rest
of the team - while waiting to take the team photos.
Tulsa Practice Notes:
TU Head Coach Todd Graham spoke following Wednesday's practice about how the day went:
"Practice went well today. The defensive spirit today was excellent. The offense had won the day before, and the defense came back today with a great spirit. Our inside was very physical. Our offensive line is getting better fundamentally. I'm pleased with what I'm seeing from those guys."
Graham gave a list of players flying under the radar who have stuck out to him during the early stages of training camp:
Tailbacks - Junior transfer Derrick Hall, Freshmen Ja'Terian Douglas and Trey Watts
Offensive Line - Freshman Jake Alexander
Wide Receiver - Freshman Thomas Roberson
Linebacker - Freshmen Shawn Jackson and Cody Wilson
Cornerback - Sophomore transfer Lowell Rose
Place-Kicker - Junior Kevin Fitzpatrick
Punter - Senior Michael Such
