Previewing the Tulsa Specialists

Place-kicker Redford Jones (5-10, 175), a former walk-on athlete, has handled placements for the last two years and is on the verge of becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. With 239 career points, Jones enters the 2017 season needing 60 points for the career record.

He took control of kickoffs last year for the Hurricane as well and appears to be in position to do the same this year.

"Redford is steady. He's level-headed and very athletic. He handled both duties really well for us last year, and he has a chance to have a special year in 2017," Montgomery said.

Walk-ons Nathan Walker (5-9, 170) and Tristan Lacey (5-11, 176) 190) back-up Jones.

Junior Sam Gottsch (6-2, 190) returns as the holder on placements for Jones, while the responsibility of getting the ball to Gottsch will be in the hands of a first-year snapper.

Adam Higuera (6-1, 240) comes to Tulsa as a heralded deep-snapper as his older brother, Rey, did a few years earlier. Forrest Harrell III (6-2, 225) handled the snapping duties in the spring and will work to hold onto that position in preseason camp.

The school's career leader for punting, Dalton Parks, has graduated and the punting chores in 2017 will be up to newcomer Thomas Bennett (6-3, 180).

"From what we saw in spring, Thomas Bennett has a lively leg and can hang the ball up there. We'll need to have consistency in our punt game, but Thomas has a ton of potential," added Montgomery."

The specialists on the return units bring experience in the likes of Bishop Louie (5-10, 172) and Rowdy Simon (5-8, 204) to the kickoff return team, while Jarion Anderson (5-9, 179) and Keidrien Wadley (6-0, 191) each returned punts a year ago. However, there are sure to be more players in the mix to return kicks in 2017.

Previewing the Tulsa Specialists

Players Mentioned

Jarion Anderson

Thomas Bennett

Forrest Harrell III

Adam Higuera

Redford Jones

Tristan Lacey

Bishop Louie

Dalton Parks

Rowdy Simon

Keidrien Wadley

Nate Walker