Tulsa Football Preview: Safety

Although Tulsa graduated two starters the safety position returns experience, length, experience and depth in 2020.

I've been pleased with our safety position. We continue to challenge them every day and they're stepping up every day. I'm excited to see how they continue to progress," said Tulsa Head Coach Philip Montgomery.

"We're long back there, we have guys that can come and fit the run, guys that can cover space on the back end and match up well with receivers in certain situations," Montgomery added.

At free safety, senior TieNeal Martin (6-1, 203) played in two games last year before suffering a season-ending injury but played considerable time in 2018 after transferring from Yuba College. He started four games that season and totaled 28 tackles. Sophomore Kendarin Ray (6-4, 200) made an impact during his playing time in a reserve role last year at the strong safety position. He totaled 40 tackles and recovered a team-high three fumbles as a redshirt freshman.

"It will be hard to replace Manny (Bunch) and Brandon (Johnson) at safety, but I believe Kendarin has a chance to be the best safety to ever come out of Tulsa, and then we moved TieNeal from nickel to safety where he brings all the physical traits we're looking for," said Montgomery.

Junior Lamar Mullins (6-3, 205), who sat out last year after transferring from Butler Community College, brings great size at free safety. He is joined at the position behind Martin by sophomore Jett Hendrix (6-0, 194), a former walk-on who played mostly on special teams last year as a redshirt freshman, and junior Mike Garrett Jr. (6-1, 190), another JUCO transfer who came to Tulsa last year from Blinn College. Garrett also redshirted in 2019 but did see action in one game.

Rookie Sean O'Keefe (6-2, 180) will start out at the free safety position for the Hurricane. The versatile newcomer was one of 10 finalists for the Mr. Texas High School Player of the Year Award last year.

With Ray establishing himself at strong safety, he will be joined by incoming sophomore junior college transfer LJ Wallace (6-3, 200) and redshirt freshman Jaise Oliver (6-2, 198).

All three players have good size for the safety position. Oliver had 47 tackles and 12 passes defended as a prep senior, while Wallace was ranked as the No. 40 safety in the country at Iowa Western Community College last year.

Redshirt freshmen walk-ons Brad Hensley (6-0, 170) and Lawson Howard (6-0, 199) add depth at the safety positions.

The nickel safety position returns three letterwinners and 23 starts among the top two players.

Last year's starter Cristian Williams (6-0, 180) returns for a sixth year after being granted the year when he missed most of the 2018 season with what at the time was thought to be a career-ending injury.

Williams totaled 57 stops and five pass break-ups a year ago, while backup Bryson Powers (6-1, 202) totaled 22 tackles and forced two fumbles. Powers started seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2018 when Williams was sidelined. Daiquian Jackson (5-11, 212) brings great game experience, having seen most of his playing time on special teams.

"All of our nickels are back – Cristian, Bryson and Daiquain – and they do a tremendous job of being that combo player for us – able to play in the box, play in coverage, being involved in our blitz packages," said Montgomery.

True freshman Rico Windham (6-0, 174) and walk-on Hunter Rangel (5-9, 80) add depth at nickel.

Tulsa Football Preview: Safety

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Players Mentioned

Mike Garrett Jr.

Jett Hendrix

Brad Hensley

Lawson Howard

TieNeal Martin

Lamar Mullins

Sean O'Keefe

Jaise Oliver

Bryson Powers

Hunter Rangel

Kendarin Ray

LJ Wallace

Cristian Williams

Rico Windham

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