PRACTICE #10 RECAP: Tulsa Returns to Practice Field Monday; Tulsa Linebacker Update

TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa football team returned to Harwell Field for a morning practice on Monday following a Sunday off day. Temperatures reached 95-degrees with a heat index of 115.

"I thought our guys came back good. It was a hot day, but we had a little breeze today. The competition was good. We have to keep taking those steps to get better –– taking what we did in the meeting room and applying it to the field. New things are going in every day, so we need to make sure we're staying on top of that part of it and be a student of the game," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.

"I thought our offense came out with a good beat about them today. We didn't perform the way we wanted to perform on Saturday. We did some decent things as we watched the tape. It's never as good or bad as you think, but today they came out with a little bit of juice and an intensity on work," added Montgomery.

Tulsa will have an early practice on Tuesday morning before taking off for the Annual Golden Hurricane Kickoff Luncheon presented by ONEOK at River Spirit Resort Grand Ballroom at 12 noon.

A Look at the Linebackers . . .
With the experience coming back, we have a chance to have the best linebacker corps in the American Athletic Conference, in my opinion," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.

Tulsa returns all three starters from a year ago, along with three more lettermen who ahvae seen significant playing time. The starting linebacker corps combined for 250 tackles, 20 TFLs, 5 interceptions and 12 pass break-ups in 2018, which translated into 34-percent of Tulsa's returning total tackles, 38-percent TFLs, 71-percent pickoffs and 41-percent of its pass break-ups.

"I'm extremely excited about the guys we have coming back. The experience they bring to the table really excites us. We feel really good about our room right now," said Joe Gillespie, Tulsa's defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. "Obviously, we have to stay healthy. We're going to have to go out and create big plays, and we have the guys that can do that."

MIKE linebacker Cooper Edmiston, a fourth-year senior and two-year starter, totaled team-highs of 113 tackles, 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries last year. WILL linebacker Zaven Collins was a Freshman All-America selection after tallying 85 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and 4 pass break-ups last year. STAR linebacker Diamon Cannon had 52 stops and 4 pass break-ups.

"Coop has been productive in what he's done. Zaven's performance as a red-shirt freshman last year took us to another level, and Diamon has been tremendous," said Montgomery. "With those guys working together and on the same page they need to make plays for us on Saturdays."

The depth behind the returning starters will allow Tulsa's defense to keep that same kind of consistency level.

"With the depth behind those three, I feel like we can keep rolling in linebackers and keep the same type of consistency and play-making ability when those guys come in," added Montgomery.

Five players –– juniors Treyvon Reeves, Yohance Burnett and Robert Revels III, sophomore Grant Sawyer and red-shirt freshman Justin Wright –– have been pushing and battling the returning starters during camp.

Both Reeves and Sawyer played in all 12 games last year, while Revels began the season as the starting WILL linebacker. An injury in the second game sidelined Revels for the remainder of the season.

Reeves totaled 13 tackles and Sawyer had 11 last year. Before his injury, Revels totaled 8 tackles and recovered one fumble in his two games played.

"Robert was a starter who was injured and couldn't finish the season. Robert and Zaven are pushing each other at a tremendous rate," added Montgomery.

Burnett was pushing for a starting spot before an ACL injury in preseason camp ended his 2018 campaign. Wright red-shirted as a true freshman but did play in the red-shirt limit of four games.

"Yohance, who had an ACL early in camp last year, has looked really, really good. The knee's fine, it's just about him gaining confidence in it. Treyvon played a lot last year and made plays for us," said Montgomery. "Grant started a game and played a bunch as a true freshman. He has put on weight and looks great as he continues to grow," said Montgomery. "I've been impressed with Justin Wright with what he's done on the inside. He's a thumper and a guy that can cover ground."

Re-shirt freshman walk-on Mitchell Kulkin adds depth as does a pair of true freshmen. Tulsa coaches are hopeful that they'll be able to red-shirt the two rookies –– Bershard Glaspie and Dorian Hopkins.

"It's been a process in our recruiting and red-shirting of players, that we have good depth now and we're in a situation to have those true freshmen can come in and red-shirt.," said Gillespie. "We're in a position right now, barring no injuries, where we can maintain that process."

PRACTICE #10 RECAP: Tulsa Returns to Practice Field Monday; Tulsa Linebacker Update

Players Mentioned

Yohance Burnett

Diamon Cannon

Zaven Collins

Cooper Edmiston

Bershard Glaspie Jr.

Dorian Hopkins

Mitchell Kulkin

Treyvon Reeves

Robert Revels III

Grant Sawyer

Justin Wright