Dwight Dobbins runs a interception back for a touchdown against North Texas. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Tulsa has only used six freshmen this season, a good sign for the football program’s future.
An experienced team has allowed the Golden Hurricane to stockpile redshirts this season. Fourteen freshmen haven’t played a down through five games. The group is scheduled to redshirt and would have four years of eligibility remaining.
It’s a far cry from five years ago, when double-digit redshirts were practically unheard of. TU was often forced to play first-year players not only to provide depth, but out of necessity.
It’s not only freshmen that are redshirt candidates this season. Senior John Flanders is redshirting to focus on academics and it’s expected that Damaris Johnson — depending on if he can get his legal matters in order — could use this season as a redshirt season and be eligible in 2012. Coaches are hopeful that defensive back James Roberson can get a medical redshirt this fall.
Freshmen that have played this season include: CB Dwight Dobbins, WR Keyarris Garrett, LB Trent Martin, WR Gary Owens, S Kwame Sexton and DE Brentom Todd.
Freshmen that have intentions of redshirting this year are: DL Derrick Alexander, QB Joseph Calcagni, WR Zach Epps, WR Conner Floyd, OL Garrett Gladd, RB Zack Langer, DL Gary Lee, K Chad Levin, DL Derrick Luetjen, DB Michael Mudoh, WR Derek Patterson, OL Garrett Stafford and DB Darnell Williams.
Calcagni, Langer, Levin, Luetjen and Patterson have traveled to Tulsa’s road games. All could break their redshirt status by playing one play.
