Keevan Lucas Must Emerge as Leader on Offense for Tulsa Golden Hurricane in 2014

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are coming off a very rough 2013 season, where they ranked No. 100 in total offense and finished the season just 3-9. This season, they make the move into the AAC to take on new challenges without several of their top contributors from last season. That puts the pressure on returning starters, like sophomore wide receiver Keevan Lucas, to make a  major impact under a re-shuffled coaching staff and emerge as a leader of the offense for 2014.

Lucas is one of the few contributors returning for a Tulsa offense that is getting gutted by graduation. Their leading receiver, top three rushers, and starting quarterback from 2013 are all gone, leaving a major void of playmakers on an offense that needs to make major improvements this fall. During his freshman season, Lucas led the team with a 13.81 yards per catch average as he hauled in 32 passes for 442 yards with a touchdown.

That production will be key for Tulsa in 2014 as they completely rebuild their offense. Having a known entity in the passing game will be a huge comfort to a new starting quarterback and will be exceedingly important as the team replaces Jordan James, who led the team in receiving yards in 2013, after his graduation and Thomas Roberson, who led the team in touchdown receptions, after his medical retirement from football. Lucas will be looked to as a leader for a receiving corps filled with young and inexperienced pass catchers.

Tulsa faces a huge challenge making the move to the AAC in 2014. Compounding their issues in making the move is the almost complete turnover of their offense, which struggled to consistently move the football in 2013. Will Keevan Lucas step up and provide some much needed stability in the offense for the Golden Hurricane to make strides this fall?

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