Aug. 5, 2008

• Watch the CBS College Sports Preview of Tulsa's Season

In it's pursuit of perfection, the Tulsa football team will return a potent offense in 2008 and a defense that will look to continue its dominating performance from the GMAC Bowl this past January. Tulsa established 29 school records, 15 Conference USA marks and four NCAA records a year ago. The Golden Hurricane comes into the 2008 campaign with high expectations.

After tying a school record with 10 wins last year, what does Head Coach Todd Graham and his troops have in store for the 2008 campaign. "I'm very excited about this team and the opportunities we have this year. We have a chance to accomplish some great things, but I can tell you we'll be in a whole bunch of close football games just like we were last year, and we're going to have to win all of them," said Graham.

"Our kids walk onto the field and expect to win. We expect to win championships. We want to be Conference USA Champions and Bowl Champions, and that's high expectations especially from where we were six years ago," added Graham.

"The key on our football team this year is quarterback and linebacker because that's where we lost two of our better leaders and players," said Graham. But, after spring drills, Graham feels good about both positions for the Hurricane.

"One of the things that gives me confidence is that our offensive and defensive lines will be the best we've had since I've been associated with the program, and that usually is a great indicator for success," added Graham.

The nation's leading offense in 2007 returns nine starters and weapons galore. The Hurricane offense amassed 543.9 yards, including 371 through the air and 172.9 on the ground, and scored 41 points per game. Tulsa's only losses to graduation included tackle Walter Boyd and the school's career passing leader Paul Smith. Tulsa's offense set 24 individual and team records a year ago.

It was an offense that had a 5,000-yard passer, one 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers - becoming the first team in NCAA history to accomplish that feat.

"We're in our second year of the system so our guys are so much farther along at understanding the blocking schemes and understanding the schematics of our run-pass game," added Graham.

The Hurricane offense returns its top four rushers from the 2007 campaign as well as its top six receivers. Tulsa's receiving corps should be considered as one of the top groups in the country, if not the BEST.

Senior Brennan Marion, the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2007, broke a 30-year NCAA record when he averaged 31.9 yards per catch with 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns on 39 receptions. Tulsa's two other 1,000-yard receivers were just true freshmen in 2007, both earning Freshman All-America and C-USA all-freshman team merits -- Trae Johnson, who caught 70 passes for 1,088 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns and Charles Clay, Tulsa's returning fullback, caught 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven TDs.

"We have a very, very talented group of receivers. I believe it's one of the top-5 receiving groups in the country"" said Graham.

Despite the loss of Smith at quarterback, it appears that the Hurricane has equipped itself with capable gunslingers. Senior David Johnson, Smith's understudy for the last four years, will get his chance to show his ability.

"Our quarterback will have to manage the game and not turn over the football, operate the offense and distribute the ball to the multitude of talented guys we have on the offensive side of the ball," said Graham. "We don't look to miss a beat offensively. The key to our offensive productivity will be the quarterback position."

Although he'll enter the fall leading the quarterback charge, Johnson will be joined at the quarterback position by Bakersfield Junior College transfer Jacob Bower, who originally signed with BYU out of high school, and led his JUCO team to a 12-1 record while completing 61-percent of his passes.

At running back, leading rusher Tarrion Adams totaled 1,225 yards and eight TDs on the ground. Sophomore Jamad Williams showed signs of brilliance last year as a red-shirt freshman by gaining over 400 yards. Clay will also get plenty of carries, as he averaged 5.3 yards per carry a year ago to go along with his 1,000+ receiving yards.

If that didn't provide enough potency, senior Courtney Tennial, who missed last year with an Achilles injury, returns for a sixth year of eligibility. In 2006, Tennial rushed for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns and appears to be on his way to a full recovery after a solid spring performance.

The offensive line and tight end positions should be solid again. Tackle Rodrick Thomas and guard Justin Morsey, the two seniors, are the anchors of the offensive front, while junior tight end Jake Collums returns as the starter.

"There's no substitute for experience and we return four of our five starters on the offensive line. We have really good depth this year," said Graham.

Despite losing all three starting linebackers and two safeties, Tulsa coaches feel good about its chances on defense in 2008. "Coach Patterson and I really feel like this is the best defensive recruiting class that we've had here in our time," said Graham. "Our line and secondary will be our strengths defensively."

Senior end Moton Hopkins, a second-team all-C-USA performer, and cornerback Roy Roberts are the leaders on defense. Last year, Hopkins tallied 71 stops and Roberts had 45 tackles while leading Tulsa in pass break-ups with 12 and interceptions with three.

Hopkins is joined on the other side of the defensive front by returning starter George Clinkscale. The nose guard position will be handled by senior Terrel Nemons, who has seen considerable action since coming to Tulsa, and junior Wilson Garrison, who made solid contributions last year after transferring from NE Oklahoma A&M.

"We have a lot of experience up front, but when you talk about defensive line you have to start off with Moton Hopkins," said Graham. "We feel we have a lot of depth, size and athleticisim on the defensive line."

Joining Roberts in the secondary are two other returning starters as Charles Davis at free safety, and Kenny D. Sims at cornerback give the Hurricane a strong secondary. Davis had 73 stops and eight pass break-ups last year, while Sims had 52 tackles.

Numerous newcomers and young players will compete to fill in at the other two secondary positions and provide a lot of depth.

"At corner and free safety, we have a lot of good experience and a lot of depth, and there will be some new guys with potential to break into the lineup at SPUR and BANDIT," said Graham.

The linebacker corps took a hit with graduation losses of three 100+ tacklers, however, Tulsa coaches were pleased with the play of the position in spring drills and feel good about the returning depth. The starters at linebacker entering the fall will be Mike Bryan, Tanner Antle and Curnelius Arnick.

In the fall, the Tulsa defense will get an influx of 12 newcomers, a number of whom will be expected to be key components of the 2008 defense.

THE OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK
Despite the loss of Tulsa's career passing leader, Paul Smith, it appears that the Hurricane has equipped itself with two capable gunslingers to maintain Tulsa's high octane offense. Senior David Johnson (6-3, 220), Smith's understudy for the last four years, will have an opportunity to show his ability. In Johnson's most significant playing time, he completed 20-of-30 passes for 172 yards and one TD in the 2005 season opener against Minnesota, subbing for the injured Smith.

Johnson, who has completed 65-percent of his passes for 472 yards in his career, is the leader of the quarterback race heading into fall camp.

Bakersfield Junior College quarterback Jacob Bower (6-3, 233), who originally signed with BYU out of high school, has a rifle for an arm. He led his JUCO team to a 12-1 record, while completing 61-percent of his passes for 3,034 yards and 35 touchdowns last year.

"We're really pleased with the quarterback position," said Graham. "We think David is very consistent, and he's a guy that we really trust. Jacob is an unbelievable talent with his arm strength and ability to run. We have great talent at quarterback with those two guys," said Graham.

If needed, receiver A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 180) could see playing time at quarterback. In high school, he had 11,5000 total ayrds and accounted for 20 touchdowns while leading his team to a three-year record of 41-2. As a senior, Whitmore passed for over 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Another quarterback who won't enter the picture until next spring after sitting out the 2008 campaign is University of Texas transfer G.J. Kinne (6-1, 220). He sat out last season for the Longhorns after putting together an All-American season at Gilmer (Texas) High School in 2006 with 3,216 yards and 47 touchdowns.

RUNNING BACK
The Hurricane running back corps returns its leading rusher from each of the last two seasons to form one of the nation's best backfield corps in 2008. Senior Tarrion Adams (6-1, 205) led Tulsa last year as he totaled 1,225 rushing yards, eight TDs and a 5.6 per carry average, while catching 30 passes for 301 yards and three TDs. He also passed for two touchdowns.

After missing last year with an Achilles injury, senior fullback Courtney Tennial (5-10, 238) returns for a sixth year of eligibility, granted by the NCAA. In 2006, Tennial rushed for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns and in the spring game he showed that he will be capable of picking up where he left off in the '06 season.

If that wasn't enough potency in the offensive backfield, the Hurricane returns its second and third top rushers from last year.

Sophomore Jamad Williams (5-9, 205) showed signs of brilliance as a red-shirt freshman last season by gaining 458 yards for a 4.3 average. Against Tulane, it was supposed to be the nation's leading rusher Matt Forte of the Green Wave who would put up big numbers, but Williams stole the show with 31 carries for a game-high 153 yards.

Fullback Charles Clay (6-3, 225) was more active in the Hurricane passing game last year as a true freshman as he caught 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns, but still managed to rush for 304 yards and a 5.3 average. Clay will again be a key component in the Tulsa passing game, but will get plenty of carries in 2008.

Behind Adams and Williams at the tailback slot is red-shirt freshman Charles Opeseyitan (5-10, 205). Charlie "O", as he is commonly called, showed great promise in the spring. He rushed twice for 44 yards in the spring game after being slowed much of the fall while recovering from an earlier knee injury.

"We think that we have one of the top running back corps in the nation with Tarrion Adams and Courtney Tennial leading the way. We think Jamad Williams has improved tremendously and can be a big-time impact player for us. Then we have Charles Clay, who can both run the catch the ball as he did as a true freshman, and then Charlie "O" has unbelievable potential," said Graham.

Two seniors Jacob Frank (6-2, 234) and Aaron Johnson (5-9, 205) provide depth for the Hurricane in the backfield, Frank at fullback and Johnson at tailback. Frank played in all 14 games last year as he provides quality blocking. True freshman Willie Carter (6-2, 205), like Clay last year, will give the Hurricane another athletic and powerful player who can catch and run the ball equally well.

Walk-on Victor Pongonis (5-8, 199), who knows the system after playing for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn in high school, adds depth at fullback.

WIDE RECEIVER
Tulsa's receiving corps should be considered as one of the top groups in the country, if not the BEST.

The Hurricane returns its top six receivers from a record-setting 2007 campaign, all of whom caught passes for over 300 yards on the season, including three players totaling over 1,000 yards.

"I really believe we have a top-five receiving corps in the country. Our receiving corps is a definite strength for our team. We have a very explosive and fast group of guys," said Graham.

Senior Brennan Marion (6-1, 185), the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2007, broke a 30-year NCAA record when he averaged 31.9 yards per catch with 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns on 39 receptions. Two other 1,000-yard receivers were just true freshmen in 2007, both earning C-USA all-freshman team honors - Trae Johnson (5-11, 180), who caught 70 passes for 1,088 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns and Clay, Tulsa's returning starter at fullback, who caught 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven TDs.

Johnson and Clay were each recognized with Freshman All-America honors last year. The sure-handed Johnson led all Conference USA freshmen in receiving and was the nation's third-leading freshman receiver, as the first two were red-shirt freshmen. They both ranked among the top-eight in C-USA for receiving yards and receptions per game.

Two other stalwarts in the receiving corps is junior Jesse Meyer (6-4, 203), who caught 39 passes for 585 yards, and senior Dion Toliver (5-11, 175) with 34 receptions for 392 yards. Meyer had a team-high 114 yards and one TD on seven receptions against No. 4-ranked Oklahoma. Sophomore A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 180), who rushed for 268 yards and had four receptions, will have an expanded role in the Hurricane offense, and showed in spring drills that he too can be a go-to-guy at receiver, as well as lining up as the wildcat quarterback.

Two new receivers, who went through spring drills, are Division I transfers -- Tennessee transfer Slick Shelley (6-4, 200) and Arkansas transfer Andrew Norman (6-1, 195) -- and proved in the spring that they can be go-to receivers.

Whitmore, Toliver and Norman will play the flanker position as will Louisiana prep all-star Damaris Johnson (5-8, 175), who gives the Hurricane great speed and ability in the receiving corps. Johnson led his Destrehan High School team to a 14-0 record and state championship, while catching 81 passes for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Backing up Meyer at wide receiver is junior college transfer Clay Sears (6-4, 212), who came to Tulsa at mid-semester as a sophomore quarterback, but moved to receiver midway through spring drills and showed his ability to catch the ball. Two more sophomores adding depth are Jake Borgsmiller (6-3, 202), who played at local Union High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, and Tyler Pistoia (6-0, 194).

At split end, the Marion and Johnson duo is joined by Shelley and red-shirt freshman Chris Ford (6-2, 195). Ford, who caught 40 passes for 768 yards as a prep senior at North Crowley High School, brings great athleticism and speed to the line-up. A pair of walk-ons, junior Corey Heinz (5-11, 170) and Richard Young (5-11, 170), add depth to the Hurricane at the receiver positions.

TIGHT END
Tulsa returns two lettermen to the tight end position for the 2008 season.

Junior Jake Collums (6-4, 250) and Logan Cawyer (6-4, 254) saw considerable playing time a year ago, as Collums started five games for the Hurricane. Used mostly for blocking, Tulsa's tight ends caught only three passes last season.

Collums had all three of those receptions, while one went for an 11-yard touchdown and another for an eight-yard TD. He also had one two-point conversion reception to increase Tulsa's late minute lead over SMU from four to six points.

Junior Mike Sullivan (6-3, 237) is another of Tulsa's tight ends who is a good blocker, while newcomer Phillip Dokes (6-6, 225), a gray-shirt who came to Tulsa at mid-semester, gives the Hurricane a big and athletic target at tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line, last year a question mark heading into the season, this year it's a strength for the Golden Hurricane offense. Tulsa's offensive front returns four starters and perhaps has its most depth this decade.

A pair of seniors on the right side anchors the Tulsa offensive line in the likes of guard Justin Morsey (6-2, 296) and tackle Rodrick Thomas (6-5, 355). Morsey has started 24 games dating back to the 2006 season, while Thomas played every offensive snap last year for the Hurricane.

"We'll have a big, strong offensive line and I think it will be the best line we've had since I've been associated with the program. They have experience under their belt that helps tremendously, so we're excited about the offensive front," said Graham. "Justin Morsey and Rod Thomas are the two most under-rated offensive linemen in our conference. They combine to form a very good right side of the line."

Junior Shawn Santos (6-3, 304), who sat out last year after transferring from Trinity Valley Community College, will back-up Morsey at the guard position. At tackle, junior Travis Wike (6-4, 305) and true freshman Jared Grigg (6-4, 265) provides quality depth. Wike provides Tulsa's offensive front with great versatility as he could play any of the five positions. Grigg was a first-team all-state selection at Har-ber High School in Arkansas.

In the middle of the line is returning starter Jody Whaley (6-4, 311). The junior started 13 of 14 games at center last year for the Golden Hurricane. Whaley will be pushed by sophomore Nick Gates (6-2, 270), who was coached at Holland Hall High School by former TU All-American lineman Jerry Ostroski. Gates saw limited action in just two games as a true freshman last year.

John Bell (6-2, 274) will make the move to center from the defensive line in preseason camp. Last year, Bell was credited with six tackles and three pass break-ups from his defensive end position.

On the left side, junior Curt Puckett (6-4, 308) returns as the starter at guard, while the tackle position will have a newcomer manning the spot. Puckett started 13 of 14 games for the Hurricane last year after having played in just one game prior to the 2007 campaign. Red-shirt freshman Aaron Ringle (6-4, 260), from nearby Sand Springs High School, will back-up Puckett at left guard, as true freshman Clint Anderson (6-2, 260) brings solid credentials from Allen (Texas) High School.

The only spot on the offensive front that does not have a starter returning is at left tackle. A trio of red-shirt freshmen and a junior college transfer will battle for the starting position. Tyler Holmes (6-4, 205), who enrolled at Tulsa in January 2007, has gone through two spring practices and one full season with the Golden Hurricane. He will be pushed for the starting spot by fellow red-shirt freshmen Brandon Thomas (6-5, 270) and Wilson Holloway (6-6, 255), as both players bring great athleticism to the tackle position after seeing playing time at tight end in high school.

Junior college transfer Tevita Halaholo (6-6, 323) brings All-America credentials from the College of San Mateo and will not only compete for a starting spot at left tackle, but could see action on the right side of the line as well.

THE DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE
With two starters returning, the defensive line will be a strength for the Hurricane in the 2008 campaign.

The two returning starters are ends Moton Hopkins (6-3, 270), a second-team all-Conference USA selection last year, and George Clinkscale (6-0, 251), who moved over from linebacker to fill a void in the Hurricane defense last year, will stay at defensive end this season.

"We have a multitude of talent when you talk about depth, size, speed and experience on the defensive line, and that's what really excites us. It will allow us to do a lot more things defensively this year. We have a lot of talent and potential up front," said Graham.

Hopkins has started 28 of 40 career contests for Tulsa and has amassed 139 career tackles and 14.5 stops for lost yardage. He was credited with 71 tackles and 10 stops for lost yardage as he started all 14 games a year ago. Clinkscale started eight games last year and tallied 22 tackles.

At right end, Clinkscale will get a battle from junior college transfer Un'tavious Scott (6-0, 245) and sophomore Odrick Ray (6-3, 248) for the starting position. Scott brings solid credentials from Reedley Junior College, where he totaled over 100 tackles last year, while Ray showed great promise as a true freshman letterwinner last year for the Hurricane.

A group of youngsters add depth at right end in the likes of sophomores Kyle Young (6-6, 240) and Nathan Baine (6-2, 247). Young changed over to football from basketball last year and saw limited playing time for the Hurricane football team a year ago.

Baine is a newcomer who transferred to Tulsa from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, where he had 10 tackles in his freshman season. Red-shirt freshman Rashad Robinson (6-1, 235), who moved over from linebacker in the spring, will battle for playing time.

Hopkins anchors down the left side for the Hurricane at defensive end, while a pair of highly-regarded freshmen will provide quality depth. The true freshmen likely to see playing time for Tulsa on the defensive front are both Oklahomans. Cory Dorris (6-4, 255) is from nearby Jenks High School, while Derrick Jackson (6-2, 285) played his prep football at Del City High School.

Gray-shirt freshman Ramarcus Dickerson (6-2, 280) enrolled at school at mid-semester and participated in spring practice.

Cogging the middle for the Hurricane on the defensive front is a duo that Tulsa coaches consider co-starters. Senior Terrel Nemons (6-4, 322) and Wilson Garrison (6-3, 283) give the Hurricane two dependable players at nose guard.

Nemons, although not starting in 2008, saw considerable playing time. He was credited with 15 tackles last year and while starting 11 games in the 2006 campaign collected 31 stops. Garrison, who transferred last year from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, played in nine games and missed five contests with an injury. He saw playing time at both end and nose guard and tallied 16 tackles and two quarterback sacks.

Gray-shirt Wayne Thompson (6-0, 297), and Jackson, who will also see time at defensive end, will provide quality depth at the nose guard spot. Junior Skyler Taylor (6-0, 278) adds depth as well.

LINEBACKER
Gone is Chris Chamberlain, Nelson Coleman and Alain Karatepeyan -- all were starting linebackers and the top three tacklers on the Hurricane squad last year. The only thing this year's new linebacker corps lacks is actual game experience, as the depth and talent among Tulsa's linebackers is very solid.

"We have good depth at all three linebacker positions," said Graham. "We never had the depth that we have for this upcoming season, we just lack the experience and that will come with time."

Junior Mike Bryan (6-3, 226) and sophomore Kenny R. Sims (6-0, 225) gives Tulsa two talented players to fill the loss of the school's all-time tackles leader Nelson Coleman at middle linebacker. Bryan has seen considerable playing time in his two seasons at Tulsa and last year collected 25 tackles in 14 games. As a true freshman, Sims saw most of his playing time on special teams and had three stops.

True freshman Alan Dock (5-10, 217) possesses the prep credentials to come in and see playing time this year, backing up Bryan and Sims. Junior Cedric Godfrey (6-2, 261) adds depth after moving over from defensive end in spring drills. Red-shirt freshman walk-on Michael Britton (5-10, 240) will also add depth at middle linebacker.

Sophomore Tanner Antle (6-4, 225) came out of the spring on the top of the depth chart at SAM linebacker, but will get a battle from junior college transfer Kaipo Sarkissian (6-1, 235). Antle saw valuable playing time last year for the Hurricane, while totaling 38 tackles.

Senior Jeph McAlester (6-3, 235) and junior Popsey Floyd (6-1, 255) both made the switch from defensive end to linebacker during spring drills. Floyd played in six games and McAlester saw action in four contests last year. Newcomer Zack Wallace (6-1, 230) brings solid credentials from Muskogee (Okla.) Hilldale High School after being a three-year two-way starter.

At the WILL linebacker position, red-shirt freshman Curnelius Arnick (6-1, 230) turned in a great spring and came out of spring drills as the leader for the starting position. Arnick turned in an outstanding prep career at Dallas' Carter High School. Newcomer Ade' Manga (6-2, 215), a junior college transfer from Coffeyville Junior College, saw most of his playing time in spring drills at safety. As a linebacker at Coffeyville, Manga was the school's second-leading tackler with 92 tackles.

Red-shirt freshman walk-on Bo Abbott (5-10, 196) adds depth at the WILL linebacker position for the Hurricane.

DEFENSIVE SECONDARY
Despite losing two starters, the defensive secondary, along with the front line, is expected to be a strength for the Hurricane defense in 2008 with three returning starters.

Senior Roy Roberts (5-11, 205), a returning starter at cornerback, is the leader of the secondary for Tulsa. He is joined by returning starter Kenny D. Sims (5-11, 203) at the other corner slot.

Roberts was Tulsa's leader in interceptions with three for 69 return yards and 12 pass break-ups, while also tallying 45 tackles, including 30 solos. Sims, a junior who began his career at safety, was credited with 52 tackles and is Tulsa's third-leading returning tackles leader.

Two experienced players back-up Roberts and Sims at corner. Senior Nick Henderson (6-0, 180) moved to cornerback from receiver last year when injuries affected the corner slots. He will back-up Roberts, while junior John Destin (6-0, 195) had a solid spring and will pressure Sims for the starting spot. A year ago after transferring from Rock Valley Community College, Destin had 19 tackles and three pass break-ups for the Hurricane.

Red-shirt freshman Reid Singleton (5-10, 175) and true freshman John Flanders (5-10, 170) will add depth at cornerback.

"Cornerback is a very deep position for us. We think we have three great corners, and we have some really good guys behind them," said Graham. "Charles Davis is Mr. Consistency at free safety. I think we were a different football team last year when we moved him to free safety," said Graham.

At free safety, returning starter Charles Davis (5-9, 180) holds down the starting position. Davis started the first eight games at cornerback, but made a successful move to free safety in the Tulane game. He is the returning tackles leader from last year after totaling 73 tackles and adding eight pass break-ups.

Newcomers Trent Wilkins (5-11, 198) and Kollin Hancock (6-0, 190) will compete for the starting spot at BANDIT and also backup Davis at free safety.

Junior Josh Burris (5-10, 190), sophomore Donald Gobert (6-3, 200) and red-shirt freshman Genesis Cole (6-1, 184) will also compete for playing time behind Davis at the free safety position.

Burris has two career starts in the secondary and last year had 14 tackles, including a career-high 10 stops in a start at free safety against Army. Gobert, who provides great size, played in all 14 games last year, mostly on special teams, and made the move to the secondary from linebacker in spring drills.

Hancock and Wilkins bring solid credentials to the Hurricane secondary. Hancock was a two-year starter at the College of the Redwoods, and last year tallied 78 tackles and six interceptions. Wilkins was a three-year starter at quarterback and started two years at safety, while collecting 95 stops and four interceptions as a senior at Duncan (Okla.) High School.

"At SPUR and BANDIT we have a lot of new guys that are coming in with great talent and will compete for playing time," said Graham.

Two more newcomers will compete for playing time at BANDIT, both true freshmen as Bryan Burnham (6-2, 190) and Cody Lambert (6-0, 175) bring good size and solid prep credentials to the Hurricane secondary. Burnham had 11 interceptions as a senior at Moorestown (NJ) High School.

Junior James Lockett (5-11, 200), who saw limited action in six games last season, will compete for the starting spot at BANDIT, while sophomore walk-on Anthony Smith (5-9, 191) will add depth.

At SPUR, players competing for playing time at BANDIT will also get a look to play the other safety slot. Tulsa's 2,000-yard career rusher Tarrion Adams (6-1, 205) will play both ways in 2008, as he will see some playing time at SPUR for the Hurricane.

Lambert, Burnham, Lockett and true freshman Brian Moore (6-0, 195) will compete for playing time at the SPUR position. Moore, who could move over to linebacker, was credited with 132 tackles as a prep senior at Klein (Texas) High School, having played linebacker and safety. Josh Dalton (6-0, 193), a sophomore walk-on, adds depth.

THE KICKING GAME
The kicking game is one area that Tulsa coaches are hoping for improvement from over last year.

"One area in which we need to make vast improvement is the kicking game, and we think we began making that improvement in spring drills," said Graham. "Overall, we feel like we have good speed and talent and with Coach Blankenship's primary focus on special teams, we think that will be an area of strength for us. I think that's the area where we can improve the most."

Senior Jarod Tracy (6-0, 165), who set a school single-season record with 73 PATs last year, had a good spring and is expected to once again handle the field goal and point-after-attempt duties in 2008.

Returning to handle the punting duties is sophomore Michael Such (6-2, 205). Last year, Such punted 43 times for a 39.0 average. Senior Paul Jurado (6-1, 206), who shared punting duties in 2006, will be the holder on field goals and PATs, but can provide depth in punting, field goals and PATs.

True freshman Kevin Fitzpatrick (6-2, 175) was signed to handle kickoffs for the Hurricane, and will also compete for handlding field goals and PATs. Red-shirt freshman walk-on Matt Hulse has the ability to handle PATs and field goals as well.

The very dependable John Warren (6-0, 215) handles all the deep-snapping duties for the Hurricane.

A variety of players will get a look at handling returns for the Hurricane, but two players return who did solid jobs in 2007.

Tulsa returns the leading return men from last year as senior Roy Roberts (5-11, 205) averaged 24.1 yards on 21 kickoff returns, while running his first-ever attempt back for a 92-yard touchdown against Tulane. Sophomore Trae Johnson (5-11, 180) led the Hurricane with 11 punt returns for 108 yards and a 9.9 average.

"One thing that hurt us last year was that we started every defensive position on the 38-yard line as an average. We can't give an offense that kind of field position," said Graham.

This year Tulsa believes it has the talent and ability to turn the kicking game into an advantage for the Hurricane offense and defense.