TU recruiting update
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 06, 2013
1/25/13 at 2:47 PM
News of the week
Grayshirts involved: Four grayshirts - prospects who already have signed with the University of Tulsa but weren't immediately involved with the football program - become active team members when the spring semester begins on Jan. 14.
The grayshirts include Garrett McGrady, a 6-foot-8 tight end from Bethany High School; Craig Suits, a linebacker from Sunnyvale, Texas; Johnell Celistan, a defensive back from Luling, La.; and Rob Riederer, a linebacker from Holton, Kan.
McGrady had planned to sign with Arkansas State after being recruited by Red Wolves defensive coordinator Keith Patterson (a former TU assistant). But when Patterson departed to take a job at West Virginia, McGrady decided to examine other options and wound up accepting an opportunity to play at TU.
Scholarship count: McGrady's scholarship counts against Tulsa's 2013 total. Walk-on freshman Rey Higuera - TU's long snapper in all 14 games during the 2012 season - is expected to be rewarded with a scholarship. That leaves what is believed to be a maximum total of 23 scholarships that TU can give on national signing day.
There currently are 18 prospects on the Hurricane commitment list. Verbal commitments are not binding. Recruits may sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6.
Visitation weekends: During the weekends of Jan. 18-19 and Jan. 25-26, most of the Hurricane's committed recruits, along with several undecided prospects, are expected to make official visits to the TU campus.
Signing day countdown
The University of Tulsa commitment list currently includes 18 prospects. It is believed that TU could sign as many as 23 prospects. Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school recruits may sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6.
The rankings
Rivals 69th, Scout 74th.
Position watch: D-tackle
As seniors who completed their TU run during the Liberty Bowl victory over Iowa State, defensive tackles Derrick Jackson and Daeshon Bufford have been dependable and extremely valuable members of the Hurricane front seven. They started in each of 13 games during the 2011 season, and they started in all 14 games in 2012. Derrick Luetjen, a redshirt freshman in 2012, returns as the only legitimately game-tested tackle. Jack Jewell will be a senior who gets a shot at a starting role or a spot in the rotation.
Two tackles are included on Tulsa's commitment list. Jesse Brubaker (6-3, 260, East High School in Wylie, Texas) switched his commitment from SMU to TU in November. Lionel Phillips (6-2, 285, Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas) committed to the Hurricane two weeks ago.
Associated Images:
Union’s Blake Mejia is among Tulsa’s commitments for 2013.MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file
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