Quarterback...
The Tulsa quarterback room is in its best shape when it comes to experience and talent since the 2016 season when Dane Evans led the Hurricane to a 10-3 record and Miami Beach Bowl championship.
Sophomore incumbent Seth Boomer, who had eight starts as a red-shirt freshman last season, and junior red-shirt Zach Smith, who sat out last season after transferring from Baylor University, as well as red-shirt freshman Davis Brin, have been in the mix for the starting spot throughout spring and fall camp.
"We haven't declared a starter yet, but I think we're close in figuring out what we want to do," said Montgomery. "I think those guys have continued to progress, and I've liked the way they have worked and battled throughout spring ball and fall camp. You've seen the ebbs and flows of it every day, but I think we're getting close to being able to announce a starter."
In his first three starts, Boomer completed just 35-percent of his passes for 433 yards, two TDs and two interceptions, while in the final five contests he completed 61-percent of his passes for 945 yards, seven touchdowns and just two pickoffs.
Smith last played in the 2017 season at Baylor, where he threw for 1,471 yards and eight TDs as a part-time starter in nine games. His most extensive playing time came against 3rd-ranked Oklahoma as he completed 33-of-50 passes for 463 yards and four TDs.
Brin had an impressive prep career as he threw for 6,650 yards and 58 touchdowns as a two-year starter.
"We have more experience than we've had in the last two years and we have some older guys in the room. They're all doing a great job. It feels like we have three ones right now. They all come to work every day, learning every day and picking up the pace. I'm really pleased with all of them," said quarterback coach Beau Trahan.
Trahan discussed some of the strengths of the three signal-callers for the Golden Hurricane.
"Seth has great maturity," said Trahan. "He started the last 8 games for us last year. Seth does a great job of seeing the defense, knowing what to get into. The game is slowing down for him. He has some wheels that add another element to his game. He's so far ahead of where he was last year."
"The first game last year Seth got thrown in there against Ed Oliver and a good Houston football team, and he played his butt off. The game speed up for him the next couple games, but each week he improved. He took coaching from the classroom out onto the field and did a great job for us," added Trahan.
"Zach has really good arm strength. He has played in some big ball games at a high level. He has the most experience as far as game time in the room. Zach can make all the throws, he knows what's coming and can pick up blitzes," said Trahan.
"Both guys have great leadership skills," Trahan said. "Seth's leadership has come so far from last year to this year just because of the experience he's had with the guys on the field."
"Davis probably has the quickest release in the room. He's still a baby and has some learning to do. He's very, very intelligent and is very accurate with the football. He's going to be really, really good," said Trahan.
"I feel good about the quarterback position. We have to stay healthy. That's a must. But those guys are going to be at a level that we'll be able to do what we want to do offensively," added Montgomery.
The Tulsa quarterback room is in its best shape when it comes to experience and talent since the 2016 season when Dane Evans led the Hurricane to a 10-3 record and Miami Beach Bowl championship.
Sophomore incumbent Seth Boomer, who had eight starts as a red-shirt freshman last season, and junior red-shirt Zach Smith, who sat out last season after transferring from Baylor University, as well as red-shirt freshman Davis Brin, have been in the mix for the starting spot throughout spring and fall camp.
"We haven't declared a starter yet, but I think we're close in figuring out what we want to do," said Montgomery. "I think those guys have continued to progress, and I've liked the way they have worked and battled throughout spring ball and fall camp. You've seen the ebbs and flows of it every day, but I think we're getting close to being able to announce a starter."
In his first three starts, Boomer completed just 35-percent of his passes for 433 yards, two TDs and two interceptions, while in the final five contests he completed 61-percent of his passes for 945 yards, seven touchdowns and just two pickoffs.
Smith last played in the 2017 season at Baylor, where he threw for 1,471 yards and eight TDs as a part-time starter in nine games. His most extensive playing time came against 3rd-ranked Oklahoma as he completed 33-of-50 passes for 463 yards and four TDs.
Brin had an impressive prep career as he threw for 6,650 yards and 58 touchdowns as a two-year starter.
"We have more experience than we've had in the last two years and we have some older guys in the room. They're all doing a great job. It feels like we have three ones right now. They all come to work every day, learning every day and picking up the pace. I'm really pleased with all of them," said quarterback coach Beau Trahan.
Trahan discussed some of the strengths of the three signal-callers for the Golden Hurricane.
"Seth has great maturity," said Trahan. "He started the last 8 games for us last year. Seth does a great job of seeing the defense, knowing what to get into. The game is slowing down for him. He has some wheels that add another element to his game. He's so far ahead of where he was last year."
"The first game last year Seth got thrown in there against Ed Oliver and a good Houston football team, and he played his butt off. The game speed up for him the next couple games, but each week he improved. He took coaching from the classroom out onto the field and did a great job for us," added Trahan.
"Zach has really good arm strength. He has played in some big ball games at a high level. He has the most experience as far as game time in the room. Zach can make all the throws, he knows what's coming and can pick up blitzes," said Trahan.
"Both guys have great leadership skills," Trahan said. "Seth's leadership has come so far from last year to this year just because of the experience he's had with the guys on the field."
"Davis probably has the quickest release in the room. He's still a baby and has some learning to do. He's very, very intelligent and is very accurate with the football. He's going to be really, really good," said Trahan.
"I feel good about the quarterback position. We have to stay healthy. That's a must. But those guys are going to be at a level that we'll be able to do what we want to do offensively," added Montgomery.
