July 15, 2010

Leading up to the start of the 2010 football season, TulsaHurricane.com will run profiles on football student-athletes. Today's feature is on red-shirt sophomore defensive end Cory Dorris.

Last season was a tough one for Cory Dorris.

"That was the most I've ever lost in my life," Dorris said about the Golden Hurricane's 5-7 record last season.

It's almost an afterthought that he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team after recording 54 tackles, including 5.5 stops for a loss and three sacks.

For Dorris, it is all about winning.

"I lost only a handful of times at Jenks [High School] and that makes it hard to lose because you really don't know how to," Dorris said. "I know that winning is important to everyone else on the team as well."

The Golden Hurricane roster is littered with players from winning high school programs, especially in the state of Oklahoma. Tulsa area schools like Jenks, Union and Booker T. Washington serve as breeding grounds for the TU program.

In fact, Dorris is one of 41 players on the squad from the state of Oklahoma, and one of 23 athletes from the Tulsa area.

"You can definitely tell the difference between a kid who has won all of his life and a kid who hasn't," Dorris said. "You are embedded with that motor to never quit and never stop, and I know I'm not the only person on this team who has that. I know that all of the players on this team, especially those from this area have that in them. We want to win and know how to win."

The Golden Hurricane isn't accustomed to losing either. Last season was their first losing campaign since 2004, which ended a run of four consecutive bowl game appearances.

As much as the losing hurt, Dorris had to endure his biggest loss after the season ended.

"My grandma just passed away this past January and that hit me hard," Dorris said. "She was the head of my family and the rock of my life. She was a little woman but had the biggest heart. She was amazing and gave me all the support I could ask for. She helped me out through every hard time I ever had and I'm going to miss her a lot."

"I couldn't have asked for a better father," Dorris smiled. "He was a single parent who raised me and my brother by himself. We were always around each other and even though we are both stubborn and hardheaded, we love each other to death. He comes out to practice when he can, and he's been to every single one of my games."

His grandmother was also a regular at his games, which makes this upcoming season bittersweet for Dorris. He's looking forward to helping Tulsa regain its winning form, but will have to do it without one of his biggest supporters in the stands.

"My grandma has been to every single football game since I was in the fourth grade," Dorris said. "So I don't know how I am going to react without her being there to support me, but she is still in my thoughts. This next season is dedicated to her. Hopefully I will have the best season I've ever had."

More about Cory:
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
Favorite NFL Team: Chicago Bears
Favorite music group: Brooks & Dunn
Best job I've had: Working at a movie theater while in high school