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Basically... The offense should build on the great things it accomplished last year with eight returning starters led by QB James Kilian, two tremendous tight ends and a veteran line. There should be more consistency with good overall depth to go along with the returning experience.
Star of the offense: Senior QB James Kilian
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore OT Aaron Danenhauer
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OT Jeff Perrett
Best pro prospect: Junior TE Garrett Mills
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Mills, 2) Kilian, 3) TE Caleb Blankenship
Strength of the offense: Tight ends, experience
Weakness of the offense: Wide receiver talent
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- James Kilian, Sr. - Kilian was known around the team for being a good passer, but no one knew that he could've turned into the leader and the rusher that he became last year. While Boise State QB Ryan Dinwiddie was the best quarterback in the WAC, Kilian was the most valuable to his team in the way he led the team to a bowl and ending up throwing for 22 touchdowns and rushing for 605 yards and seven scores.
Top Backups
- Paul Smith, Soph. - Smith stepped in against San Jose State when Kilian went down and rallied the Golden Hurricane to a thrilling win. He's a good sized passer throwing for 297 yards and a touchdown, but he isn't the runner Kilian is.
- Jake Hammond, Jr. - The 6-3, 218-pound Hammond is a good passer. He'll battle with Dustin Willingham for the number three job.
The Skinny: Head coach Steve Kragthorpe is also a great molder of quarterbacks. He did a fantastic job with James Kilian last year, and has made Paul Smith an excellent backup. Either player can move the offense.
Player to keep an eye on: Paul Smith ... Quarterback Rating: 7
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Uril Parrish, Jr. - Parrish improved by leaps and bounds last year as a solid complement Eric Richardson rushing for 537 yards and five touchdowns while adding a speed burst averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He has a little bit of pop in his 202-pound frame, but he has to be 100% after hurting his knee.
Top Backups
- Brandon Diles, Soph.. - Diles turned into a decent backup last year after rushing for 27 1yards and touchdowns averaging eight yards per carry. He's good enough to carry the rushing load if Parrish still isn't healthy.
- Cauvey Jackson, RFr. - Jackson has a little bit more flash and dash and should be a solid third option. He'll battle with Rodney Tucker and Albert Harris for the job.
The Skinny: Uril Parrish was growing into a star before his knee injury, and he needs to be back to form for the running game to be dangerous again. Brandon Diles is a fantastic number two option.
Player to keep an eye on: Brandon Diles ... Running Back Rating: 5.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Richard McQuillar, Jr. - At 6-3 and 200 pounds, McQuillar is a big, physical receiver with decent speed averaging 11.9 yards per catch. He made seven grabs for 83 yards and a score. He'll hold down the starting spot until Darrell Wimberly is 100%.
- Jermaine Landrum, Sr. - A fantastic all-around player, Landrum is a strong receiver and a great punt returner. He was fourth on the team catching 28 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown as a short to mid-range receiver.
- Tight end Caleb Blankenship, Sr. - While not the receiver Garrett Mills is, Blankenship can catch finishing third with 33 grabs for 387 yards and two touchdowns. He's a little more of a mid-range threat than Mills and a bit better a blocker.
- Tight end Garrett Mills, Jr. - Mills turned into a star last year as a 6-2, 224-pound receiving threat leading the team with 53 catches for 456 yards and ten touchdowns on his way to first-team All-WAC honors. He's really a big wide receiver even though he lines up as a second tight end.
Top Backups
- Montiese Culton, Sr. - Culton has the most experience in the receiving corps and will combine with Jermaine Landrum for one of the starting jobs. At 6-2 and 174 pounds, he's a big receiver with big play ability averaging 18.1 yards per catch last year making 23 grabs for 416 yards and a score.
- Darrell Wimberly, Sr. - Injured all of last year, Wimberly returns at receiver after seeing time at defensive back. He caught 33 passes for 401 yards and two touchdowns before switching to corner.
- Josh Reed, Sr. - At 6-6 and 270 pounds, Reed is the most physical tight end on the team playing more as a third tackle when he comes in.
- Cory Hathaway, Sr. - A bigger, better blocking tight end than Caleb Blankenship, Hathaway can also catch a little bit making three grabs for 12 yards.
The Skinny: This isn't an explosive receiving corps, but it's effective highlighted by the talent at tight end. Tulsa uses two tight end sets in its normal offense, and there are two fantastic ones in Garrett Mills and Caleb Blankenship. With Darrell Wimberly returning, there are plenty of good options to get the ball to.
Player to keep an eye on: Richard McQuillar ... Receiver Rating: 4.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Aaron Danenhauer, Soph. - Danenhauer's development is the key to the line as the only new starter replacing All-WAC star Austin Chadwick. Actually, he replaced Jeff Perrett on the right side.
- Guard Jesse Stoneham, Jr. - The 315-pound junior started every game last year on the right side. He isn't quite the talent that Matt Black is, but he's a good, reliable guard.
- Center Derek Warehime, Sr. - Warehime can play guard or center. He's an athletic blocker and one of the best centers in the WAC.
- Guard Matt Black, Sr. - The starter at the beginning of last year, the 300-pound Black hurt his ankle and was knocked out early last year. He'll be back to be the starter for his fourth year combining with Victor Mercado on the right side.
- Tackle Jeff Perrett, Soph. - The 6-7, 312-pound Perrett switches over from the right side to the left as the team's best tackle. He's an All-WAC caliber player and the team's most dominant all-around blocker.
Top Backups
- OG Victor Mercado, Jr. - Mercado will find a spot somewhere in the starting lineup very soon. The 6-3, 329 -pound junior stepped in when Matt Black went down and did a great job on the right side. He can back up either guard position or center.
- OT Tony Guined, Sr. - The 6-7, 300-pound senior will combine with Aaron Danenhauer to take over the right tackle job.
The Skinny: The loss of All-WAC star Austin Chadwick is a big one, but the rest of the line returns intact with a good left side and a few strong veteran backups. This is the biggest line in Tulsa history averaging 304 pounds per man, and it should be among the WAC's best.
Player to keep an eye on: Jeff Perrett ... Offensive Line Rating: 5.5
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