Tulsa Football Preview: Special Teams

Tulsa's special teams entered preseason camp with holes to fill at the place-kicking and punting positions, but returning veterans are back in other critical areas.

Adam Higuera (6-1, 224) returns for his fourth year as Tulsa's deep snapper. Higuera has been steady handling all the deep snapping duties and was recognized this preseason as a fourth-team All-America projection by Phil Steele's College Football Magazine.

Adam Higuera runs down field — Adam Higuera

As steady as Higuera has been snapping, so has holder Cannon Montgomery (5-10, 174), who enters his third year as the holder on all placements.

"Adam stepped in from day one as a freshman and he's a guy that provides a security blanket, that the ball is going to get there," said Montgomery. "The combination between Adam and Cannon is unique. They do a great job of handling the placements to give our kickers great confidence in knowing that ball will get down."

The punting position is locked down with Australian Lachlan Wilson (6-3, 194). A redshirt freshman, Wilson did not begin playing American football until arriving on campus last fall. Before coming to the states, he played Australian football for the Heidelberg Football Club, where he started four years and played the full forward position, which requires punting for goals and passing.

"I feel really confident in what Lachlan brings to the table. He is really talented and he'll bring some different facets of the punting game into play for us," said Montgomery.

Zack Long (5-10, 172) handled kickoffs last year for the Hurricane and is still in competition for placements this season with true freshman Tyler Tipton (6-2, 183), who brings a strong and accurate leg from Little Elm (Texas) High School. Kevin Neitzke (6-3, 170) is also competing for the spot.

"We have Zack and Tyler battling for the spot. Kevin is also on hand and has really improved, but those two guys are little ahead," said Montgomery. "It's all about the guy that can be the most consistent. He doesn't have to go out and be superman, but just has to go out consistently and do his job. I think they've both got a lot of talent, but it's now going out and being consistent."

Long, a senior, walked on to the Tulsa football team in the spring of 2019, having never played football before. A soccer player in high school, Long averaged 57 yards on his kickoffs last season.

Keylon Stokes (6-0, 194), Tulsa's all-purpose leader last year with a total of 1,503 yards, including 369 on kick returns and 52 on punt returns, is back for the Hurricane. He and a bevy of talented skill players will have opportunities to handle returns this year.

Tulsa Football Preview: Special Teams

Players Mentioned

Adam Higuera

Zack Long

Cannon Montgomery

Kevin Neitzke

Keylon Stokes

Tyler Tipton

Lachlan Wilson

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