Bobby's Blog: TU Making the Grade with Incoming Class

Bobby Lewis breaks down Tulsa's newest recruiting class, sizing up the gutsy incoming group of players.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:05 pm

By: News On 6

Bobby's Blog: TU Making the Grade with Incoming Class

Originally Published: Feb 2, 2011 12:41 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Anchor/Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The first thing that jumps out at me about this year’s signing class for the University of Tulsa is the way the Golden Hurricane was able to establish incredible and instantaneous depth. The guys that are coming in will be the future, but could also see a lot of playing time immediately when the season kicks off in just a few months.

GRADING THE OFFENSIVE SIGNEES: B+

It’s hard not to look at some of the names and grin from ear to ear if you’re a TU fan. Athlete Kwame Sexton from Holland Hall, wide receiver Keyarris Garrett from Daingerfield, Texas, RB Zack Langer from Jenks all have the ability to score from anywhere. TU added receivers with speed and lineman with girth.

You have to love the addition of a pair of huge OL guys from the state: Garrett Stafford from Memorial HS (6-5, 314 lbs) and Garrett Gladd from Sallisaw HS (6-3, 303 lbs) are both mammoth guys who could see time on the field this season.

Tulsa added one quarterback. Joseph Calcagni is coming to town from Springdale, Ark. He could be the guy to step in two years from now when GJ Kinne has graduated. The other QBs on the roster are very inexperienced and Calcagni has apparently got a little Kinne in him. He can run and throw and has a nice, 6-1, 190 lb frame.

GRADING THE DEFENSIVE SIGNEES: B

TU was able to stay local with these picks. Trent Martin is a linebacker from Jenks. Derrick Alexander is a defensive end from Booker T. Washington. Brentom Todd is a defensive end from Union. Those three, plus the out of state additions will help Tulsa continue to have success on defense. Dwight Dobbins is also an in-state guy from Carl Albert. He’ll play DB.

Last year, TU was up and down on D, but was pretty good overall. They were near the top of the country in interceptions, but didn’t get a lot of pressure on the QBs. They need to find guys that can do that. Perhaps it's Alexander and Todd.

Darrell Williams will join the team from Houston. He will be playing AGAINST his hometown Cougars in CUSA now. That should make the next few years fun.

Some guys that could also make a big impact in the future:
ATH Derek Patterson from Kingfisher. He played QB in high school. Great athleticism.

DB J.D. Ratliff – junior college transfer

TE Colt Clontz from El Maton, TX. (HUGE kid, 6-8, 225)

RB Michale Sorrells from Austin, TX

DT Derrick Leutjen from Hennessey. He’s the son of a coach and could help with QB pressure

OVERALL GRADES: B

One thing these recruits better have is guts. Three of their first four games of their college careers will be brutal. They are at OU, home for OSU and at Boise State. Those will be eye openers.

Todd Graham did steal a few recruits away when he left TU for Pitt, NAMELY Booker T. RB Isaac Bennett, but overall, new head coach Bill Blankenship has to be happy with what he has coming to H.A. Chapman Stadium this fall. The future looks special for the Golden Hurricane in CUSA.