| 2003 Tulsa Football: A New Era Begins By: Chris Harmon, Tulsa SportsWeb After losing 21 of their final 22 games over the last two seasons, the Golden Hurricane looks to right the ship under new head coach Steve Kragthorpe, who comes to Tulsa
from the Buffalo Bills.
The offensive-minded Kragthorpe has an impressive resume, including seven years as a collegiate offensive coordinator at Northern Arizona, North Texas and Texas A&M. His recent post as a quarterbacks coach with the Bills allowed him to tutor such NFL players as Drew Bledsoe, Rob Johnson and Alex Van Pelt. Kragthorpe has assembled an impressive staff that is aware of the Hurricane’s storied tradition and will use over 40 returning letterwinners to lay a new foundation. OFFENSE With the recent departure of Tyler Gooch to the University of Oklahoma baseball team, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Charlie Stubbs has the task of evaluating the quarterback position, which will likely see junior James Kilian (6-4, 214) at the top of the list, as he is the only quarterback on the roster with experience.
In 13 games, he has completed 38-of-90 passes for 401 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Kilian also scrambles fairly well, adding 196 rushing yards and four scores. The battle for the back-up role will take place between redshirt freshman Shane Davison (6-1, 198), sophomore Landon Keopple (6-0, 180) and true freshman Paul Smith (6-2, 175). Outside of quarterback, Tulsa is very solid at the skill positions. Senior running back Eric Richardson (5-10,
175) will be a vital piece of the offense as both a runner and receiver, as he marches toward his 2,000th career rushing yard. Last season, Richardson ran for 957 yards and six touchdowns, while catching 34 passes for 249 yards. Back-up running back Uril Parrish (5-9, 192) had an outstanding spring and should be a major contributor. The sophomore slasher played in all 12 games last year. Redshirt freshman Larry Lane (5-9, 193), who ran 41 times for 236 yards in three spring scrimmages, should also get time in the backfield.
Wideouts
Romby Bryant (6-2, 180, SR) and Montiese Culton (6-2, 175, JR) combined for 84 receptions and 1,008 yards last season and should be the main targets in the air this season as well. Junior Jermaine Landrum (5-9, 160) and sophomore Richard McQuillar (6-3, 200) will serve as competent reserves. Junior tight-end Caleb Blankenship (6-3, 227) is also a very capable receiver, snagging 25 balls last year for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Tulsa brought in a stable of talented young receivers this season that will supply added depth. Broderic Jones (6-1, 180) from Ennis, Texas, Roland Garrett (6-1, 170) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Jammal McCullar (6-3, 185) of Terrell, Texas all have the potential to see time as true freshman. When the Hurricane decides to mix it up, sophomore tight-end
Garrett Mills (6-2, 214) and redshirt freshman fullback James Clancy (6-1, 253) will become very valuable. Mills caught 10 passes for 138 yards and two scores last year and can also play as an inside receiver or fullback. Clancy will be used when Tulsa uses a two-back set. He is a big, bruising runner that doesn’t shy away from contact and will open holes when blocking for other backs. The offensive line, which
allowed 35 sacks last season, returns three starters and will likely be the key to successful drives for the Hurricane. With a projected starting line-up that will posses an average weight of 300 pounds, the line will need to provide time and space for the inexperienced Tulsa quarterbacks. Providing leadership up front will be senior tackle Austin Chadwick (6-4, 285), senior guard Matt Black
(6-3, 300), and junior center Derek Warehime (6-1, 283). They have combined to start 48 games, but will need to stay healthy, as the experience level quickly drops off. Two sophomores, Jesse Stoneham (6-4, 316) and Victor Mercado (6-3, 312), will battle for the starting spot at left guard, and redshirt frosh Jeff Perrett (6-7, 312) is slightly ahead of junior Tony Guined (6-7, 291) at right tackle.
Adding depth to the front five is sophomore tackle Dustin Kline (6-6, 280), redshirt freshman center Aaron Danenhauer (605, 286), and two 300+ pound guards, senior Ashcon Madjid (6-4, 303) and junior Dustin Traynor (6-6, 332).
Returning Starters: WR Romby Bryant (SR), WR Montiese Culton (JR), LT Austin Chadwick (SR), C Derek Warehime (JR), RG Matt Black (SR), TE Caleb Blankenship (JR), RB Eric Richardson (SR) DEFENSE : Defense has been the sore spot for recent Tulsa teams, as they have routinely been ranked as one of the worst in the nation. It will also be a major focus
during preseason practice, as coaches try to improve a squad that gave up over 250 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game last year. Defensive coordinator and assistant head coach
Todd Graham was lured from West Virginia to implement his 3-3 stack defense, which has the look of a base nickel package. Although the players will be learning a new scheme, the alignment allows flexibility by using the Spur and Bandit positions. The system will better suit TU’s defensive personnel, and spectators should not see the defensive line shifts that happened on every play last season, which ultimately gave opposing offenses several advantages.
The 3-3 stack should provide relief for a fairly undersized and thin defensive line.
Returning starters Tse Ogisi (6-2, 288, SR) and Josh Walker (6-4, 250, JR) will join with Sammy Umobong (6-2, 262, SR), Jeremy Davis (6-2, 255, SR) and Brandon Lohr (6-0, 240, JR) to create the core rotation in the front. Senior Antwan Floyd (6-1, 280), sophomore Drew Lagow (6-5, 260) and NEO transfer Brandon Jones (6-4, 240) will also be heavily relied upon. Only one starting linebacker returns, but that one player is the most active on the field.
Senior Jorma Bailey (5-11, 200) has the body of a strong safety, the speed of a cornerback and hits like a wrecking ball. The outside linebacker is the returning tackle-leader with 71 and will likely join with Josh DuPree (5-11, 200), an instinctive backer who will patrol the opposite side. In the middle, 6-foot-1 and 215-pound junior Brenden Swisher will likely have the edge for the starting spot after having a great spring. Senior Jason Wiltshire (6-3, 230), junior transfer Michael LeDet (6-2, 215), redshirt freshman Robert Latu (6-2, 250) and true freshman Kinny Spotwood (6-1, 208) will also see valuable time.
The strength of the Tulsa defense is their secondary, which returns eight players that have experience as starters. At cornerback, a bevy of speedy upperclassmen will fight for starting spots. Senior Sherman Steptoe (5-9, 180) and junior
Jermaine Hope (5-7, 155) were the likely candidates after spring drills; however, CJ Scott (5-7, 160) played well after missing the first half of spring practice recovering from wrist surgery. Darrell Wimberly (6-1, 196) should also push for a starting position. The big, physical defensive back collected 49 tackles and three interceptions last season. Junior
Jeff Thibodeaux (5-11, 165) is a returning starter at free safety and appeared to solidify himself at that position this spring. He tallied 66 tackles and three interceptions last season and possesses all the tools to be one of the better safeties in the WAC. Sophomore Kedrick Alexander (6-1, 197) will also factor in at safety, but may start at the Spur position. He started the last two games of last season and is a physical, aggressive player. The probable starter at the Bandit spot is hard-hitting senior Max Kraus (6-1, 175). His hard-nosed style and relentless attitude will hopefully bleed over to other players. Redshirt freshman Jarred Brejcha (6-2, 190) will also push for time, while junior Clint Rountree (6-0, 193) appears capable at both the Spur and Bandit positions.
Returning Starters: NG Tse Ogisi (SR), OLB Jorma Bailey (SR), DE Josh Walker (JR), CB Jermaine Hope (JR), FS Jeff Thibodeaux (JR), CB Darrell Wimberly (SR) SPECIAL TEAMS : The Golden Hurricane has a chance to be very solid in the kicking game. Sophomore
Brad DeVault (6-0, 180) returns at placekicker after connecting on 6-of-8 field goals under 40-yards last season and 7-of-12 overall. Special teams coach Bob Schultz has been working to improve DeVault’s consistency. Senior
Cort Moffitt (6-3, 256) returns after punting the most times in school history last season. Fortunately, Moffitt has a big leg and should be one of the top players in the WAC at his position. He may also handle kickoff duties. Returning at deep snapper is senior Thomas Perrault (6-2, 228), who is very consistent. Jermaine Landrum and Sherman Steptoe are
the most experienced kick and punt returners from last season, but Coach Kragthorpe has made it clear that these positions are open, and he will utilize the best players. <br> PLAYERS TO WATCH : Eric Richardson - “E-Rich” is poised for an excellent senior season after suffering a minor injury at the end of the spring, keeping
him out of the Spring Game. He is a hard worker and a speedy, elusive runner. Richardson’s pass-catching skills and big-play potential make him a deadly href="mailto:chris@tulsasportsweb.com">Chris@TulsaSportsWeb.com</a> </i>. weapon. Romby Bryant
- This senior wide receiver has the ability to be a first-team All-WAC selection. He owns incredible speed and athleticism, while being very fundamentally sound. Bryant’s potential may be slightly hampered by the inexperience of the Hurricane quarterbacks, but he should be the go-to receiver all season. Jorma Bailey
- Bailey should be the leading tackler on the Tulsa defense at season’s end. Although he plays linebacker, his athletic ability, play-making and aggressiveness will likely make him an NFL prospect at strong safety. Watch for Bailey to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in Tulsa’s new defensive scheme. Kinny Spotwood
- Spotwood transitions to linebacker after playing defensive end at Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. Named the Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year in Texas last year, this true freshman may very well be the most talented newcomer to the Hurricane. Spotwood is strong, fast and forceful, as he was also a four year letterman in track and power-lifting in high school. Chris Harmon covers University of Tulsa athletics for Tulsa Sports Web and is Editor of the HurricaneAlert Newsletter |
