Feb. 20, 2008

Tulsa, Oklahoma - University of Tulsa Head Football Coach Todd Graham announced today the signing of two junior college defensive players -- Un'tavious Scott and Kollin Hancock -- to national letters-of-intent.

"Both Un'tavious and Kollin are great character kids and good students," said Graham. "We expect both of these guys to be impact players right away. That's our expectations for them, and they know that. We wouldn't want to sign a junior college player if we didn't expect them to play right now. Their maturity is what we need on the defensive side of the ball," said Graham.

Scott, a 6'3", 235-pound defensive end, played this past year at Reedley (Calif.) College. He earned first-team all-conference accolades after tallying 100 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 stops for lost yardage. Scott helped lead his team to an 8-3 mark and conference title in 2007.

The year before, Scott spent his freshman season at Butler (Kan.) Community College, and helped Butler CC win the Jayhawk Conference Championship.

Scott originally signed with Troy University as a prep senior from Pahokee (Fla.) High School. He was a two-year starter at both defensive end and tight end as he led his team to two Florida Class 2B State titles and a 21-3 mark in his final two seasons.

As a senior, Scott earned all-area, all-district and all-conference accolades. He had 85 tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, eight tackles for lost yardage and five forced fumbles during his senior campaign. Scott also had 15 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown as a tight end in his senior season.

"We're very excited about Un'tavious. He's very big and powerful," said Graham. "We feel like we have to get more explosive and affect the passer more from the defensive line. He's an outstanding pass rusher and we think he'll be an impact player for us in rushing the passer. He's a very physical player who plays with a great motor. We're very lucky to add him to our recruiting class this late. He is very explosive off the ball and that's what we're trying to improve upfront on both sides of the football."

Hancock is a 6'0", 180-pound safety from College of the Redwoods in California. He earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors after totaling 78 tackles and six interceptions from his safety position as a sophomore. Hancock also returned punts in 2007 for a 21.0-yard average. In his first season at Redwoods, Hancock played cornerback and was an all-conference receiver. He accounted for five touchdown receptions and one punt return for a touchdown as a freshman.

Hancock, from Columbus, Ohio, played his prep football at Gahana Lincoln High School where he lettered for three seasons. He started for three years on offense including the first two years at receiver. As a senior, Hancock started at quarterback and defensive back, while earning all-conference honors.

"With the graduation of Steve Craver and Anthony Germany at safety, we felt we had to get some guys that can come in ready to play right now," said Graham. "Kollin has incredible ball skills, is a great tackler and a big-time hitter. He's a very, very physical player. We think Kollin has a chance to come in and be an impact player as well, and compete for a starting position.

The two signings now brings Tulsa's recruiting class total to 25 student-athletes including six junior college transfers.

Un'tavious Scott • DE
6-3 • 235 • Jr-JC
Pahokee, Fla. • Reedley JC

Played the 2007 season at Reedley (Calif.) Junior College . . . earned first-team all-conference accolades . . . totaled 100 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 stops for lost yardage . . . helped lead his team to an 8-3 mark an conference title in 2007 . . . junior college coach was Michael White . . . spent the 2006 campaign at Butler (Kan.) Community College, where he helped his team win the Jayhawk Conference Championship . . . junior college coach at Butler CC was Troy Morrell . . . originally signed with Troy University as a prep senior at Pahokee (Fla.) High School . . . was a two-year starter at both defensive end and tight end as he led his team to two Florida Class 2B State titles and a 21-3 mark in his final two seasons . . . earned all-area, all-district and all-conference accolades as a senior . . . had 85 tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, eight tackles for lost yardage and five forced fumbles during his senior campaign . . . also had 15 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown as a tight end in his senior season.

Kollin Hancock • DB
6-0 • 185 • Jr-JC
Columbus, Ohio • College of the Redwoods

Was a two-year letterwinner and starter at the College of the Redwoods . . . earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors as a sophomore safety . . . totaled 78 tackles and six interceptions his sophomore season . . . also returned punts in 2007 for a 21.0-yard average . . . played cornerback and was an all-conference receiver his freshman season . . . accounted for five touchdown receptions and one punt return for a touchdown as a freshman . . . junior college coach was Dave Banducci . . . played his prep football at Gahana Lincoln High School where he lettered for three seasons . . . started for three years on offense including the first two years at receiver . . . started at quarterback and defensive back, while earning all-conference honors, as a senior . . . high school coach was Mike Lanza.