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Two time defending NC South champion Tulsa is looking for 3 in a row. They are also looking to finally make it to the Imperial Bowl after 2 seasons of losing in the Conference Championship game. The offense is maturing and have played together for several seasons and looks to be as explosive as ever. The defense has a year together under their belts and look to play in a more consistent manner. Spacial teams should continue to play in its good, consistent manner. We will take a closer look at each position group more in depth.
Quarterback
This is where it all starts. National Champion Matt Sanford has yet to add Imperial Champion to his resume. He has led his team to the conference championship the last two seasons. But there the season ended both times. Sanford has had an impressive career since taking the reins of the franchise in 2011. Last season Sanford threw for 3689 yards and 36 TDs. He completed 64.5% of his passes and had a 113.4 QB rating. The team is very dependent on Sanford. Tulsa starts and finishes here. The backups are Marcus Morton and Colin Godfrey. Morton is a capable short term player. Godfrey is a kick holder.
Grade: A
Running Back
Ken "DH" Singleton is what his nickname implies. The designated hitter. He is capable of hitting a home run every time he touches the ball. The best running back in the league rushed for 1677 yards and 15 TDs last season. He had a nifty 5.07 YPC. Throw in 45 receptions for 442 yards and another 6 TDs. You see why he is the best in the league. Backups Trent Checkovich and newly signed Vernon Ramming will battle for the 2nd string position. Checkovich had an impressive season last year. 69 carries for 330 tards and 3 TDs. ramming lost a step in the offseason and may be relegated to special teams.
Fullback Richard Southward lost a step in the offseason, but he continues to be a solid blocker. 5th year vet Kris Bratton and rookie Alvin Covington will battle for the backup slot.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers
This unit is one of the best units in the league at the top. Flanker Ken Albriktsen continues to be an elite receiver. Last season he had 68 catches for 1077 yards and 14 TDs. Split end Chris Andrews had a bit of a sophomore slump. He had 65 catches for 984 yards and 6 TDs. This tandem looks to improve on last season and are big keys to a chamionship run. #3 receiver Martin Witt continues to be a solid slot receiver. Last season Witt had 10 catches for 137 yards and 5 TDs. #4 receiver DJ Ragsdale had a terrible offseason. But last seaon as the #3 he had 24 catches for 332 yards and 2 TDs. #5 is newly acquired Sammie Diaz.
Grade: A-
Tight Ends
Sterter Randy Brennan lost a step in the offseason. He remains the starter and had a very solid season with 38 catches for 524 yards and 2 TDs. He was 10 for 19 on KRBs. Lee Grant, Joe Applin and rookie Heath Johnstone will battle for the remaining 2 roster spots. In training camp Johnstone and Grant distanced themselves from Applin in the battle.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
Ernest Poston is back for his 10th season. He remains the starter and went 21 for 61 on KRBs, and allowing 2 sacks. Bryant Terrill and rookie Ray Gozzi will battle for the back up slot.
The guard position is the weakest area on the line. Starting LG Aaron Taxin showed lots of wear and tear in the offseason. He remains the starter. Last season he went 24 for 80 on KRBs and allowed 2 sacks. Right guard is up for a battle. Free agent Carlos Paradis and Bryce Anderson will battle for the starting role. The loser will be the back up.
Tackle is an interesting position for the T-Hawks. Rock solid RT Brock Heath went 34 for 81 on KRBs, he allowed a career high 9 sacks. The left side is rookie Louie Grier's position to lose. He will be given every opportunity to win the spot. last years starter Carlton Wilkins may move to the LG position and move Taxin to RG. Otherwise Wilkins will be a key backup. Julio Alston is a key reserve.
Grade: B-
Kicker
Carlos McClurken has had a solid career. Last season he went 21 for 30 on FGs with his long being 55 yards. He made all his PATs. He is also a solid kickoff man with the ability to bury kicks deep in the end zone.
Grade: B
Kick Returner
Ken Albriktsen continues to impress as a kick returner. Last season he returned 49 kicks for 1525 yards, a 31.1 yard average.
Grade: A
The offense is ready to rock and roll again in 2014. Look for a high flying act this season.
Defense will be soon.............
Quarterback
This is where it all starts. National Champion Matt Sanford has yet to add Imperial Champion to his resume. He has led his team to the conference championship the last two seasons. But there the season ended both times. Sanford has had an impressive career since taking the reins of the franchise in 2011. Last season Sanford threw for 3689 yards and 36 TDs. He completed 64.5% of his passes and had a 113.4 QB rating. The team is very dependent on Sanford. Tulsa starts and finishes here. The backups are Marcus Morton and Colin Godfrey. Morton is a capable short term player. Godfrey is a kick holder.
Grade: A
Running Back
Ken "DH" Singleton is what his nickname implies. The designated hitter. He is capable of hitting a home run every time he touches the ball. The best running back in the league rushed for 1677 yards and 15 TDs last season. He had a nifty 5.07 YPC. Throw in 45 receptions for 442 yards and another 6 TDs. You see why he is the best in the league. Backups Trent Checkovich and newly signed Vernon Ramming will battle for the 2nd string position. Checkovich had an impressive season last year. 69 carries for 330 tards and 3 TDs. ramming lost a step in the offseason and may be relegated to special teams.
Fullback Richard Southward lost a step in the offseason, but he continues to be a solid blocker. 5th year vet Kris Bratton and rookie Alvin Covington will battle for the backup slot.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers
This unit is one of the best units in the league at the top. Flanker Ken Albriktsen continues to be an elite receiver. Last season he had 68 catches for 1077 yards and 14 TDs. Split end Chris Andrews had a bit of a sophomore slump. He had 65 catches for 984 yards and 6 TDs. This tandem looks to improve on last season and are big keys to a chamionship run. #3 receiver Martin Witt continues to be a solid slot receiver. Last season Witt had 10 catches for 137 yards and 5 TDs. #4 receiver DJ Ragsdale had a terrible offseason. But last seaon as the #3 he had 24 catches for 332 yards and 2 TDs. #5 is newly acquired Sammie Diaz.
Grade: A-
Tight Ends
Sterter Randy Brennan lost a step in the offseason. He remains the starter and had a very solid season with 38 catches for 524 yards and 2 TDs. He was 10 for 19 on KRBs. Lee Grant, Joe Applin and rookie Heath Johnstone will battle for the remaining 2 roster spots. In training camp Johnstone and Grant distanced themselves from Applin in the battle.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
Ernest Poston is back for his 10th season. He remains the starter and went 21 for 61 on KRBs, and allowing 2 sacks. Bryant Terrill and rookie Ray Gozzi will battle for the back up slot.
The guard position is the weakest area on the line. Starting LG Aaron Taxin showed lots of wear and tear in the offseason. He remains the starter. Last season he went 24 for 80 on KRBs and allowed 2 sacks. Right guard is up for a battle. Free agent Carlos Paradis and Bryce Anderson will battle for the starting role. The loser will be the back up.
Tackle is an interesting position for the T-Hawks. Rock solid RT Brock Heath went 34 for 81 on KRBs, he allowed a career high 9 sacks. The left side is rookie Louie Grier's position to lose. He will be given every opportunity to win the spot. last years starter Carlton Wilkins may move to the LG position and move Taxin to RG. Otherwise Wilkins will be a key backup. Julio Alston is a key reserve.
Grade: B-
Kicker
Carlos McClurken has had a solid career. Last season he went 21 for 30 on FGs with his long being 55 yards. He made all his PATs. He is also a solid kickoff man with the ability to bury kicks deep in the end zone.
Grade: B
Kick Returner
Ken Albriktsen continues to impress as a kick returner. Last season he returned 49 kicks for 1525 yards, a 31.1 yard average.
Grade: A
The offense is ready to rock and roll again in 2014. Look for a high flying act this season.
Defense will be soon.............
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