Photo by: BRETT ROJO/For the University of
Tulsa Opens Practice on Thursday Morning as 110 Players Report to Camp
7/31/2019 6:32:00 PM | Football
TULSA, Okla. –– The University of Tulsa football team officially reported to preseason camp on Wednesday and will have its first practice session on Thursday morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. on the turf of H.A. Chapman Stadium.
A total of 110 players reported to camp. Among those, Golden Hurricane returns a total of 42 lettermen, including 15 on offense, 24 on defense and three specialists, for the 2019 season.
On offense, Tulsa returns 85-percent of its rushing yards, 76-percent of its total offense and 75-percent of its touchdowns. Tulsa's top two running backs – Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II – return for their junior seasons after combining for 1,813 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to lead the Hurricane offense in 2018.
Returning starter Seth Boomer and transfer Zach Smith will enter preseason camp as the top two signal-callers for the Hurricane, while the offensive front will be going through transition after losing 128 starts between three graduated players.
With the youth upfront, more pressure will be put on the skill positions players to make plays early. In addition to the running tandem of Brooks and Taylor, veteran receivers Keenen Johnson and Keylon Stokes will need lead the receiving corps and be playmakers for the Hurricane.
"We have to be more diverse on offense. I expect us to come out and put points on the board – to be who we are," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.
Tulsa's prospects on the defensive side of the ball are solid for the upcoming season. Tulsa returns eight starters and an additional seven more players who started at least one game last year. There is depth across the board for the Hurricane defense.
"I have high expectations for our defense and expect those guys to lead the way for us. We basically have nine starters coming back, but there's even more than that who have started games and have a lot of experience," said Montgomery. "From a depth and experience standpoint, potentially this can be the best defense we've had since I've been here."
A year ago, Tulsa's defense ranked among the top-45 nationally for fewest passing yards allowed (8th), 4th down conversions (10th), pass efficiency (41st) and red zone defense (44th).
It starts upfront for the Hurricane defense with two 300+ pounders Tyarise Stevenson and Shemarr Robinson, and senior leader on the outside Trevis Gipson. Tulsa returns all three starters at linebacker with seniors Cooper Edmiston, who has had back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, Diamon Cannon and last year's Freshman All-American Zaven Collins.
On the back-end, the Hurricane is much more athletic and has good size and length. Three cornerbacks – Reggie Robinson, Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV – shared time in the starting lineup last year, while eight lettermen return to man the three safety positions, including returning senior starter Manny Bunch.
For a successful campaign, Tulsa's experienced and deep defense will need to perform beyond expectations, while giving the Hurricane offense time to find its groove in the early stages of the season.
A total of 110 players reported to camp. Among those, Golden Hurricane returns a total of 42 lettermen, including 15 on offense, 24 on defense and three specialists, for the 2019 season.
On offense, Tulsa returns 85-percent of its rushing yards, 76-percent of its total offense and 75-percent of its touchdowns. Tulsa's top two running backs – Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II – return for their junior seasons after combining for 1,813 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to lead the Hurricane offense in 2018.
Returning starter Seth Boomer and transfer Zach Smith will enter preseason camp as the top two signal-callers for the Hurricane, while the offensive front will be going through transition after losing 128 starts between three graduated players.
With the youth upfront, more pressure will be put on the skill positions players to make plays early. In addition to the running tandem of Brooks and Taylor, veteran receivers Keenen Johnson and Keylon Stokes will need lead the receiving corps and be playmakers for the Hurricane.
"We have to be more diverse on offense. I expect us to come out and put points on the board – to be who we are," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.
Tulsa's prospects on the defensive side of the ball are solid for the upcoming season. Tulsa returns eight starters and an additional seven more players who started at least one game last year. There is depth across the board for the Hurricane defense.
"I have high expectations for our defense and expect those guys to lead the way for us. We basically have nine starters coming back, but there's even more than that who have started games and have a lot of experience," said Montgomery. "From a depth and experience standpoint, potentially this can be the best defense we've had since I've been here."
A year ago, Tulsa's defense ranked among the top-45 nationally for fewest passing yards allowed (8th), 4th down conversions (10th), pass efficiency (41st) and red zone defense (44th).
It starts upfront for the Hurricane defense with two 300+ pounders Tyarise Stevenson and Shemarr Robinson, and senior leader on the outside Trevis Gipson. Tulsa returns all three starters at linebacker with seniors Cooper Edmiston, who has had back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, Diamon Cannon and last year's Freshman All-American Zaven Collins.
On the back-end, the Hurricane is much more athletic and has good size and length. Three cornerbacks – Reggie Robinson, Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV – shared time in the starting lineup last year, while eight lettermen return to man the three safety positions, including returning senior starter Manny Bunch.
For a successful campaign, Tulsa's experienced and deep defense will need to perform beyond expectations, while giving the Hurricane offense time to find its groove in the early stages of the season.
Players Mentioned
Quarterback
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Running Back
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Safety
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Linebacker
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Linebacker
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Linebacker
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Cornerback
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Defensive End
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Cornerback
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Wide Receiver
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Defensive Tackle
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Quarterback
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Nose Guard
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Wide Receiver
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Running Back
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