Tulsa Football Preview: Linebackers
9/2/2020 11:00:00 AM | Football
Despite the graduation of two starters, the Tulsa linebacker corps returns seven letterwinners who bring quality experience to the position.
Leading the way is junior Zaven Collins (6-4, 260) at the WILL linebacker position. A second-team all-conference performer last year, Collins tallied 97 tackles, eight TFLs and three pass break-ups in 2019.
Collins, a Freshman All-American in 2018, has six double-figure tackle games, while compiling 182 stops in his two seasons.
"We have some good experience coming back at linebacker. It all starts with Zaven. He's a guy that can cover a lot of ground and can do a lot of different things for us. He's a tremendous talent," said Montgomery.
Collins is backed up by senior Robert Revels III (6-2, 215). It was a season-ending injury to Revels in 2018 that propelled Collins into the starting lineup. Revels returned last season to see most of his playing time on special teams but provides Tulsa with another starter coming off the bench at the linebacker slot.
Redshirt freshman Bershard Glaspie (6-3, 218) and sophomore Mitchell Kulkin (6-0, 213), from nearby Jenks High School, add depth at the WILL position.
The MIKE linebacker spot has two letterwinners returning to the position in the likes of senior Yohance Burnett (6-1, 223) and sophomore Justin Wright (6-2, 234). The starter will have to fill the void left by Cooper Edmiston, who totaled 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons.
Burnett, who saw playing time at all three linebacker positions in 2019, made an impact when he was on the field. He totaled 34 tackles and had 2.5 TFLs, while Wright saw most of his playing time on special teams and totaled seven tackles and two TFLs.
"Zaven and Yohance will be a great fit together controlling the box. Yohance played a ton for us last year, so we feel like we have a starter coming back there," said Montgomery. "It's hard to replace Cooper with the production he had, but Yohance is adding a different element and I look forward to watching him as he progresses.
Redshirt freshman Dorian Hopkins (6-1, 238) has a bright future as a Hurricane linebacker. Hopkins played in just one game while he redshirted last season after turning in a 95-tackle, 17-TFL season his senior campaign at Memphis' University School in 2018.
At the STAR position, senior Treyvon Reeves (6-2, 224) has been waiting his time to move into the starting lineup playing behind three-year starter Diamon Cannon. Reeves saw the bulk of playing time in Tulsa's win over UCF last year when he filled in for the injured Cannon and responded with seven tackles.
"Treyvon played so much last year as Diamon battled some injuries. Treyvon has been playing well this camp, and Grant Sawyer is pushing behind him," added Montgomery.
Grant Sawyer (6-3, 215), who played as a true freshman in 2018 mostly on special teams, will battle Reeves for playing time at STAR. Sawyer is an active player and has recorded 18 career tackles. A pair of newcomers, Texas A&M transfer Brian Johnson (6-2, 190) and true freshman Deante Betts (6-2, 195) add depth to the position.
"We have a chance as a nucleus of linebackers to have a really experience corps and a very effective group," said Montgomery.
Freshmen redshirt walk-ons Trevor Reh (6-2, 217) and Sam Clayton (6-1, 209) add depth at the outside linebacker positions.
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