Going Deep - An Inside Look at the Tulsa Wide Receivers
8/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2011
TULSA, Okla. - Damaris Johnson.
That name has become synonymous with blazing speed, jaw-dropping touchdowns and NCAA records.
By now, any who follow The University of Tulsa football program know of the greatness that is Damaris Johnson.
The senior wide receiver/kick-return specialist is entering his final collegiate campaign with two all-time NCAA records already in tow - those being career all-purpose yards (7,796) and kickoff return yardage (3,417).
He has led the nation in all-purpose yards in each of the last two seasons, and he also has 29 career touchdowns - 17 receiving, eight rushing, two kick-off returns and two punt returns.
Johnson was named to both the Associated Press All-American Second Team and the SI.com All-American Second Team in 2010. He was also named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year.
The list of accolades and achievements are seemingly endless for the Norco, La., native, but he is not the only receiver on the team.
Tulsa is literally overflowing with talented wideouts, and it begins with another talented "Johnson".
"(Junior) Ricky Johnson is such a hard worker," Damaris said. "He's in much better shape then when he first got here. I am so excited to see what he brings to the table for us this year."
Damaris Johnson is quick to deflect the spotlight from himself to the rest of his teammates.
"(Sophomore) Thomas Roberson is a great player. He looks ready to make huge contributions to the offense in his second season. We're looking forward to big plays from him."
Johnson also said he is expecting fireworks from guys like sophomore Freeman Kelley and freshmen Gary Owens and Keyarris Garrett.
"Freeman is a hard worker. He is always looking to do what's best for the team. Gary is just like Freeman in that he comes out and works hard everyday. He's a real good guy both on and off the field. Keyarris is a big target. That guy can go up and get the fade ball, and he can also run short routes."
Johnson wants all those watching TU on Saturday's this fall to know that the receivers are going to be doing whatever it takes to win each and every day.
"You should expect to see anything and everything from the receivers this year, whether that's running the ball, blocking, catching balls or special teams work. We step up in our wide receiver meetings and say that we want to carry the team on our backs, and we expect to do that this year."
Tulsa offensive coordinator and receiver coach Greg Peterson also discussed the receiving corps. Below is a transcript of the interview conducted with Coach Peterson following Friday's morning practice.
"When we talk about the receiving corps coming into the 2011 season, we've got some experience coming back and we've got some young guys who are rising quickly."
On Senior Damaris Johnson...
"Damaris Johnson is the first name that comes to everybody's mind when we talk about the receivers. He's a tremendous player and he's having a solid camp. We expect great things from him, but it's the guys behind him that are really going to make us special."
On Sophomore Thomas Roberson...
"We know Damaris is a great player, but we've got to have guys to fit around him who are going to be playmakers. The first one that comes to mind is Thomas Roberson. Thomas missed spring football, but he's been back for the fall. He brings so much to the team and so much to the field with his work habits. He's very intelligent and he's a tough, physical guy who makes tremendous catches."
On Sophomore Jordan James...
"The surprise of the spring was Jordan James. Jordan has started fall camp just like he left off in the spring. His stock is rising fast, and he's a different player now even more so than where he ended up at the end of spring football. I think he has a chance to have a huge season."
On Sophomore Freeman Kelley...
"The surprise of fall camp is probably Freeman Kelley. Freeman is doing what Jordan James did in the spring. He's having that kind of a fall camp. He can run, he's very fast and physical. He's tougher than most people think he is. He loves to block and he's going to be a very good football player for us."
On Senior Ricky Johnson...
"Ricky was a starter last year and he had a solid season. He had offseason surgery and went through spring a little nicked up, but he's back and healthy. Ricky is going to have a presence and an opportunity to compete."
On Senior Genesis Cole...
"When Genesis Cole plays hard, he is a big-time player. If we can get more consistency out of Genesis, then he's going to play a major role this year."
On Sophomore Brett Davis...
"Brett Davis is another one who has upped his game. I like what he's about."
On Junior Bryan Burnham...
"I thought he had a great last half of spring ball. He worked hard this summer. He's been solid as well."
On Freshman Gary Owens...
"I know I'm going to leave some guys out, but with our newcomers here, probably the one who has risen to the top the fastest is Gary Owens. He's pressing for playing time after 10 practices. He's a fast, explosive young man with a similar skill set to Damaris. He is great at running after the catch because of his quickness and his explosive capabilities. We're excited about him."
On Freshman Keyarris Garrett...
"All of the newcomers are going to be great here, and Keyarris Garrett is another example of that. For a 6-foot-5 guy, he has a knack of going up and getting the football. He is a little behind in the learning curve as compared to Gary Owens, but he is going to be a very good player."
On The Depth At Wide Receiver...
"It's a big-time plus that we're going to have 6-7 guys that can go out and play and help us win. I think the other thing that's happened this fall is our practices have been more competitive within that position group. We were all new to each other last spring. The system didn't change, but some of us coaches have changed. There was a honeymoon period where we all had to get adjusted and get acquainted with each other. We've got this train going down the track full of speed, and guys are on board and have bought in. You never can have too much depth."
