Todd Graham confirmed today that three JUCO transfers have enrolled in classes. |
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Tulsa Gets Three Mid-Year Junior College Transfers
Jan. 17, 2008
Tulsa, Oklahoma - Three junior college football transfers have enrolled at The University of Tulsa and are attending classes, it was confirmed today by Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham.
The Hurricane signed highly regarded quarterback Jacob Bower and linebackers Kaipo Sarkissian (kye-poh sar-ke-she-ian) and Ade Manga (Ah-day Mahn-gah). Sarkissian and Manga will have two year of eligibility remaining, while Bower will come in as a sophomore.
Bower (6-4, 235), from Meridian, Idaho, was the starting quarterback for 12-1 Bakersfield Junior College this past season. He led his team to an 8-0 record in the Western State Conference and advanced to the So Cal Championship, losing 47-42 against Mt. Sac.
In 13 games, Bower completed 61-percent of his passes for 3,034 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also rushed for 134 yards, a 2.3 average, and three touchdowns in 2007. Bower is rated as a 4-star prospect by JCFootball.com.
Bower originally signed with BYU and sat out the 2006 season following a two-year mission. As a senior at Mountain View High School (Idaho), Bower was a first-team all-state selection, and was recognized as a SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American. He entered his senior season with 4,300 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2003. Bower was ranked regionally among the top-six quarterbacks by PrepStar Magazine
Sarkissian (6-1, 235), from Kamehameha, Hawaii, transfers to Tulsa from El Camino (Calif.) Junior College, where he helped his team post an 8-2 record. He played in nine games as a sophomore and totaled 56 tackles while earning first-team honors in the Mission Football Conference American Division. Sarkissian had high games of 11 tackles against Saddleback JC and 10 stops and three tackles for -9 yards against Riverside JC.
Manga (6-2, 220) is from Winfield, Kansas, and played at Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College the last two seasons.
He was the school's second-leading tackler with 92 stops and had four sacks for -33 yards, while causing two fumbles. Manga had five double-figure tackle games as a sophomore. He had a season-best 15 stops against Garden City Community College, while adding 14 tackles against Highland. In the season opener against #3-ranked Blinn College, Manga tallied 12 tackles, one forced fumble and one quarterback sack.
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Manga earned honorable mention all-Jayhawk Conference accolades following his sophomore campaign.
All three starting linebacker spots will be up for grabs on the Hurricane roster in 2008 as Tulsa's top three tacklers -- Chris Chamberlain, Nelson Coleman and Alain Karatepeyan -- have completed their eligibility.
