THE TULSA OFFENSE
8/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Tulsa Hurricane
Aug. 6, 2010
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa's most experience this year will be on the offensive side of the football. Tulsa returns nine starters to the offense with seven more players who started at least one game in 2009.
"As we look at our football team, the experience on the offensive side of the football sticks out to me the most, especially with a quarterback who has a year's of experience under his belt," said Graham.
Unlike a year ago, the Tulsa offense returns a starting quarterback in the likes of G.J. Kinne. "G.J. brings more confidence with a year under his belt at quarterback He's mobile, can make all the throws and has stepped up as a leader. We expect him to be a more veteran guy with composure and one who manages the game," added Graham.
There's no doubt that Tulsa has a very-skilled and potentially explosive offense, but it will take protection and a run game to get back to where Tulsa led the nation in offense in 2007 and 2008.
"Were very explosive and very talented, skill-wise. The key to our success offensively will be our ability to run the football and protect the quarterback. We'll have to be able to establish the running game and move people off the ball," added Graham.
Last year, the Hurricane saw a rash of injuries that forced the offensive line to play with eight different starting lineups.
QUARTERBACK
Tulsa returns the team's leading passer and rusher to the quarterback position this year in the likes of junior G.J. Kinne (6-2, 215). The former University of Texas transfer turned in a solid year despite not playing in a game situation for more than two years.
Kinne completed 61-percent of his passes for 2,732 yards and 22 touchdowns, while becoming the first quarterback in school history to pass for over 300 yards and rush for more than 100 yards. He accomplished that feat with 334 yards passing and 100 rushing yards against Houston.
His back-up is sophomore Shavodrick Beaver (6-3, 190), who is in his second season after playing in 2009 as a true freshman. Beaver's athletic prowess and ability to escape defenders and take the ball a long distance is perhaps his greatest strength at this young age.
Beaver saw action in eight games last year and ran for 63 yards while completing one pass on just three attempts.
The quarterback position also has newcomer Kalen Henderson (6-0, 192) and red-shirt freshman walk-on Lucas Devilliers (6-0, 183). Henderson completed 71-of-151 passes for 1,734 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 534 yards and another 11 TDs for East St. John (La.) High School.
RUNNING BACK
The tailback position returns senior Jamad Williams (5-9, 205) and a host of young players.
Williams rushed for 389 yards a year ago, while catching 11 passes out of the backfield. A strong runner who can consistently move the chains, Williams has amassed 1,370 yards and six rushing touchdowns in 39 career games.
Sophomore Alex Singleton (6-1, 249) played in one game last year as a true freshman and brings a big, powerful body to the tailback slot, while red-shirt freshman walk-on Trey Watts (5-11, 201) was one of the surprises of spring practice with his elusive running ability.
The tailback spot has two speedsters joining the group this year in the likes of junior college transfer Derrick Hall (5-10, 210) and prep school star Ja'Terian Douglas (5-11, 180). Hall comes to Tulsa from Navarro Junior College, where he rushed for 1,011 yards and 14 TDs last year for an 8.9 average per carry. Douglas gained 1,868 yards and 25 touchdowns his senior season at Texas' Lamar High School.
Three-year starter Charles Clay (6-3, 235) made an immediate impact on the Tulsa team as a true freshman in 2007 by catching 69 passes for 1,024 yards and rushing for 304 yards. He has totaled 31 career TDs and needs just eight more to become the school's all-time touchdowns leader.
The senior Clay will hold down the H-back position with sophomore Willie Carter (6-2, 218). Perhaps the fastest of Tulsa's returning running backs, Carter averaged 5.9 yards on the ground in 2009.
TIGHT END The tight end position loses a steady four-year force at the position with the graduation of Jacob Collum. Junior Clay Sears (6-4, 239) returns the most experience to the tight end position for the Hurricane.
Sears has played in 20 career games and has six receptions for 89 yards in his two seasons.
Gray-shirt freshman Greg Brown (6-3, 253) is the only other scholarship player listed at tight end for the Hurricane.
Junior Michael Britton (5-10, 237) leads a trio of walk-ons to back-up at the tight end position. Britton can be a dominating blocker in the Hurricane lineup, while sophomore Matt Hesterberg (6-2, 233) and senior Nathan Largen (6-1, 231) will provide depth.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Tulsa offensive line was struck by injuries last year as the Hurricane had eight different starting lineups up-front. Tulsa will enter the 2010 campaign with nine returning letterwinners, as all nine started at least one game for the Hurricane.
The glue to the offensive front returns for his junior season, as left tackle Tyler Holmes (6-4, 305) is back healthy after missing six contests a year ago. Holmes played in the first two games before suffering a leg injury prior to the Oklahoma game, thus missing six games. He returned for the final four games to his usual left tackle position.
For the second straight year, Holmes has been selected as a preseason all-Conference USA selection by the league's coaches.
Lining up next to Holmes at left guard will be junior Clint Anderson (6-2, 285). After receiving his first start in the 2008 Conference USA Championship game, Anderson has started 10 of the next 13 games, missing three games with injuries.
Sophomore Trent Dupy (6-2, 285) was the starting center as a true freshman in 2009 and came out of spring drills as the starter heading into the 2010 season. Dupy was a C-USA all-freshman team selection last year after starting 10 games.
On the right side of the line, sophomore Brian DeShane (6-3, 301), who saw valuable plying time last year as a true freshman, and senior Nick Gates (6-2, 280) battled during the spring for the starting guard spot. DeShane started two games a year ago, while Gates was in the starting lineup once.
At right tackle, junior Brandon Thomas (6-5, 296) turned in a solid season last year playing five games at left tackle in place of the injured Holmes, and the final four games at the right tackle position.
Backing up Holmes on the left side is sophomore Jared Grigg (6-4, 290), who started one game at left tackle last season, and University of Oklahoma transfer and red-shirt Kody Cooke (6-5, 300). Both Grigg and Cooke can play either tackle position for Tulsa.
Red-shirt freshman Gabe Moyer (6-2, 307) is listed as Anderson's back-up at left guard, while true freshman Jake Alexander (6-2, 277) will get a look up-front and is listed on the preseason depth chart at right guard.
The depth at the center position includes junior Eric Sproal (6-4, 305). The versatile Sproal started two games at center last year and has the ability to play guard and tackle as well. Sophomore walk-on Jacob Rader (5-11, 288) adds depth at the center position.
Stetson Burnett (6-4, 305), a gray-shirt last year, has a bright future on the Hurricane line and provides depth at right tackle for Thomas. David Lazenby (6-5, 300) gained valuable playing time as a junior college transfer a year ago as he started the first seven games at right tackle.
RECEIVERS
The Tulsa receiving corps combines experience and youth, as well as speed and strength as four letterwinners return to the lineup. One true freshman, two red-shirt freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors and two seniors hold down the receiver positions for the Hurricane.
Along with H-back Charles Clay, the Tulsa offense returns a total of three players who have gained over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Clay and fellow senior Trae Johnson (5-11, 190) went over the 1,000 barrier as freshman in 2007, while junior Damaris Johnson (5-8, 170) eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in a single season last year.
Both Damaris and Trae have 1,874 career receiving yards and need just 126 yards apiece to join Clay as 2,000+ yard career receivers.
Damaris, the 2009 NCAA all-purpose yardage leader, had team-highs of 78 receptions for 1,131 yards last year. Trae had a career-best 1,088 yards receiving as a true freshman in 2007, and last year caught 22 passes for 311 yards and a team-best eight touchdowns. His 24 career receiving TDs is eight shy of tying Howard Twilley (1963-65) and Steve Largent (1973-75) for the all-time Tulsa pass catching touchdown record.
Sophomores Ricky Johnson (6-2, 200) and Freeman Kelley (5-11, 180), both true freshmen last season, are the other two returning lettermen in the Hurricane receiving corps. Johnson was a C-USA all-freshman team selection last year after catching eight passes for 111 yards.
Oklahoma transfer Jameel Owens (6-3, 228) adds size and power to the Hurricane receiving corps. In one season at OU, Owens caught four passes for 44 yards as a true freshman in 2008.
Genesis Cole (6-1, 188), a junior who moved to receiver early last year, showed great promise during spring drills and will compete for a starting position. A pair of red-shirt freshmen, Brett Davis (5-11, 190) and Jordan James (6-2, 205) will be given a chance to play in 2010.
True freshman Thomas Roberson (6-3, 186) brings tremendous credentials to the Tulsa receiving corps from Tulsa Union High School. He caught 62 passes for 827 yards and 10 TDs his senior season.
Senior Tyler Pistoia (6-0, 214) adds depth to the Tulsa receiving unit.
