February 3, the second national football signing day, was unusually quiet for Tulsa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma.

The University of Tulsa added local defensive lineman Owen Ostroski to its 2021 signing class but that was the only official signee on that day for all three schools.

Ostroski’s signing gives Tulsa a total of eight newcomers to the 2021 roster, including seven high school signees along with one four-year transfer.

Tulsa gained four offensive players –– two receivers, one quarterback and one running back –– and four defenders –– two linebackers, one lineman and one safety.

“We had to be very selective this year with the numbers that we have,” said TU coach Philip Montgomery. “We needed to really isolate in on our depth and identify areas of need not for just now but in the future. We feel like we’ve addressed that. It’s a unique year when it comes to recruiting. We’ve obviously signed a smaller class, but we have quite a few of our seniors coming back.”

Due to the coronarvirus, college football players will get an extra season of eligibility.  Tulsa will announce those seniors who have elected to return in 2021 for an extra season of eligibility.

Instead of the normal scholarship limit of 85, the NCAA has raised number for next season to 110. But that only applies to the 2021 season. The limit reverts back to 85 the following year, which could become a messy situation for those teams that don’t plan ahead.

Ostroski, a 6-2, 245 defensive lineman, played at Tulsa’s Holland Hall High School. He helped lead HHS to a 12-0 record and the Class 3A state championship. Ostroski recorded 94 tackles, including 41 for loss, along with 15 sacks and three blocked punts as a senior. He led a defense that posted five shutouts and allowed only 69 points.

“Owen is an explosive player. He has a great first step and a tremendous motor. He’s all over the field. He does a great job with his hands and is very physical. Owen is one of the strongest guys that you’ll see coming out of high school,” said Montgomery. “We love the energy and level of play Owen brings. He’s a great student-athlete. He’s a player who fits our system and we think will be a special player at Tulsa.”

At mid-semester, Tulsa added Oklahoma transfer Jon-Michael Terry to the linebacker position. Terry played in a total of 42 career games, had 8 starts and recorded 49 career tackles in four seasons for the Sooners.  “Obviously with the departure of Zaven Collins (to the NFL Draft), Jon-Michael is a guy who brings in collegiate experience at the linebacker position and has played in some big-time games,” added Montgomery. “For him, he was looking for the opportunity to make an impact and it seemed to be the right fit at the right time for both sides.

Scottie Alexander, a receiver who comes to Tulsa from Collierville High School in Tennessee, had 406 receiving yards on 27 receptions for a 15.0 average his senior season. Running back Bill Jackson, who comes from Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis, Missouri, was one of the state’s top players. Linebacker Jaden Moore comes from Green Oaks High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was credited with 308 tackles and six interceptions in his final three seasons.

The signees include quarterback Braylon Braxton, receiver Marquis Shoulders and safety Zion Hopes.

Braxton threw for 1,342 yards and 16 TDs in just eight games as a senior, while as a junior threw for 3,236 yards and 45 touchdowns and rushed for 849 yards and 11 TDs at Independence High School. Shoulders played mostly running back at Katy Tompkins High School, but will be a receiver for the Hurricane. Hopes, who tallied 86 tackles and 10 passes defended in 10 games his senior campaign at Jefferson High School, brings great size to the safety position.