Tulsa Offensive Line Update

A LOOK AT THE OFFENSIVE LINE…
TULSA, Okla. –– The Tulsa coaches came into practice last spring knowing that they'd have to replace three players who started 128 games in their careers.

"Progress on the offensive line has been pretty steady. We're continuing to get better. We have to be more consistent on the front line and get greater movement. However, they're going against a pretty talented and deep defensive line every day," said Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery.

"We have to do a better job of grinding and getting what we need. They're coming together," said Montgomery. "Those guys have to work in unison. They have to be like one –– being on the same page, communicating, understanding what's happening in front of you and then execute."

The two starters returning to the offensive front include tackle Chris Ivy Jr. and guard Chris Paul on the left side of the line. Paul started at right guard in eight games in 2018, while Ivy started all 12 games at left tackle.

Joining Ivy and Paul on the front line are juniors Dylan Couch at center and right guard Tiller Bucktrot. Both Couch and Bucktrot saw starting time a year ago, however, Couch's starts came at guard and not center where this year he'll be replacing 50-game starter Chandler Miller. Red-shirt freshman X'Zauvea Gadlin has locked down the starting spot at right tackle.

"I'm really excited where we are as an offensive unit. I think we've picked up where we left off in the spring. This summer I really challenged some of the backups to continue to push and fight and that competition would make us better," said Tulsa's offensive line coach Mike Bloesch.

"Obviously, we're not going to be as experienced as we've been the past couple years. But as I look at our group it's not going to be a lack of talent. I think every game, we'll have an opportunity to get better and better throughout the season," added Bloesch. "I feel really good about having a group that will be ready to go when we head up to Michigan State."

"Our depth is continuing to grow. There are some guys in the second line have made big strides over spring ball to now," added Montgomery.

From left to right, Tulsa's second line has true freshman Tyler Smith at tackle, junior Clay Greathouse at guard, sophomore Gerard Wheeler at center, sophomore Dante Bivens at guard and junior Judge Hartin at tackle.

"The competition between Dylan and Gerard has been one of the most neck-and-neck battles that we've had," said Bloesch. "The center handles so much of what we do offensively. You have to have a guy in there that not only can make all the calls but can execute everything he's been asked to do."

Bloesch looks for his offensive linemen to be versatile in the number of positions that they can play across the front.

"We train all of our guys every day on both sides of the football. We snap about 5 guys a day after practice. So, we're always working guys at different spots because you never know what kind of situations will come up during the season," said Bloesch. "For us, it's about finding the 10 best guys that we can send to the hotel every week and give us a chance to win. Since I've been here, we haven't been thru an entire season when the 5 guys for the first game are the same guys in the 12^th or 13^th game."

Tulsa Offensive Line Update

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Players Mentioned

Dante Bivens

Tiller Bucktrot

Dylan Couch

X'Zauvea Gadlin

Clay Greathouse

Judge Hartin

Chris Ivy Jr.

Chandler Miller

Chris Paul

Tyler Smith

Gerard Wheeler

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