Tulsa World: TU position analysis

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TU position analysis

TU receiver Slick Shelley finished with 627 yards and eight TDs last season. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World file

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Published: 8/23/2009 3:16 AM
Last Modified: 8/27/2009 2:01 PM

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (No returning starters)

G.J. Kinne, J. Bower, S. Beaver

The scoop: Head coach Todd Graham likes all three candidates vying to replace 2008 starter David Johnson. Jacob Bower threw 35 TD passes in junior college. G.J. Kinne passed for 11,695 yards in high school and transferred from Texas. Shavodrick Beaver, a four-star Rivals.com recruit, committed to Michigan before signing with the Hurricane. Graham says he won't choose until next week.

Running backs (One returning starter)

TB: C. Clay, A. Singleton, T. Watts
FB: J. Williams, C. Opeseyitan, W. Carter

The scoop: Juniors Charles Clay and Jamad Williams could play interchangeably, with help from talented youngsters. Charles Opeseyitan, a third-year sophomore, showed breakaway ability and averaged 7.9 yards per rush last year. Willie Carter, a redshirt freshman, had 29 rushing TDs in his last two high school seasons. Clay has nearly 2,000 rushing and receiving yards over his first two Hurricane seasons.

Receivers (Three returning starters)

WR: S. Shelley, J. James, K. Hancock, G. Cole
FL: D. Johnson, T. Johnson, R. Johnson, F. Kelley
WR: A.J. Whitmore, C. Ford, J. Skillens, A. Foster, B. Davis
TE: J. Collums, C. Sears, M. Britton

The scoop: Trae Johnson, Damaris Johnson and Slick Shelley are proven producers and A.J. Whitmore provides big-play ability.

Jake Collums has eight career receiving TDs at tight end. Damaris Johnson was a freshman All-American with 10 receiving TDs last year. Trae Johnson has 16 TDs over his first two seasons. Freshmen Justin Skillens, Anthony Foster and Ricky Johnson were Rivals.com three-star recruits.

Offensive line (Two returning starters)

LT: T. Holmes, J. Grigg
LG: C. Anderson, B. DeShane, G. Moyer
C: T. Dupy, E. Sproal, J. Bell
RG: C. Puckett, N. Gates, A Ringle, Best
RT: D. Lazenby, B. Thomas, S. Burnett

The scoop: Curt Puckett and Tyler Holmes started all 14 games last year, and Clint Anderson started the final two games for injured senior Justin Morsey. Jon Bell and Brandon Thomas were impressive in spring drills, but freshman Trent Dupy and junior college transfer David Lazenby appear to have won starting jobs at center and right tackle, respectively.

DEFENSE

Defensive line ( One returning starter)

SE: O. Ray, Maurice White, C. Godfrey, J. Jewell
NG: W. Garrison, D. Jackson, W. Thompson, G. McGee
WE: C. Dorris, U. Scott, R. Robinson, J. St. John

The scoop: Wilson Garrison moves to his more natural spot at noseguard after starting nine games at end last year. Un'Tavious Scott also started four games at end, but redshirt freshman Cory Dorris was close to passing him on the depth chart. Odrick Ray will start at the other end spot. Look for contributions from impressive first-year players Maurice White, Jack Jewell, Derrick Jackson and Gabe McGee.

Linebackers (Three returning starters)

SLB: G. Clinkscale, A. Manga
MLB: M. Bryan, C. Wilson, K. Sarkissian, K. R. Sims
WLB: T. Antle, C. Arnick, A. Dock

The scoop: The starters are proven and the coaches expect outstanding depth. Mike Bryan, Tanner Antle and George Clinkscale started 11 of 14 games together last year, combining for 235 tackles. Bryan was second in Conference USA with 119 stops. Senior letterman Ade' Manga had a big spring, and Lincoln Christian freshman Cody Wilson is expected to contribute.

Defensive backs (Four returning starters)

WS: D. Brown, D. McCoil, B. Burnham
SS: J. Lockett, B. Moore, A. Smith
FS: C. Davis, T. Wilkins, J. Burris, T. Peoples
CB: J. Destin, J. Flanders, C. Lambert, B. Smith
CB: K. D. Sims, L. Black, R. Singleton

The scoop: Charles Davis, a two-year starter, is one of the team's smartest players and a big hitter in a small package. James Lockett was 47th nationally with 8 1/2 sacks in 2008. Kenny D. Sims started all 14 games at one corner. Junior college transfer LaQuentin Black could challenge John Destin and John Flanders for time at the other spot. DeAundre Brown started six games as a true freshman.

SPECIAL TEAMS (three returning starters)

KO: C. Jefferis, K. Fitzpatrick
FG/PAT: M. Hulse, K. Fitzpatrick
Punter: M. Such, C. Jefferis
DS: B. Abbott, M. Brodsky KOR: D. Johnson, R. Johnson
PR: D. Johnson, T. Johnson

The scoop: Damaris Johnson, Michael Such and Cory Jefferis are proven commodities. But Kevin Fitzpatrick is challenging Jefferis for the kickoff job and also battling Matt Hulse to replace three-year starting placekicker Jarod Tracy. Abbott and true freshman Michael Brodsky are vying to replace three-year deep snapper John Warren. Johnson averaged 25.6 yards on kickoff returns last year and Such averaged 43 yards per punt. By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

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