- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,211,143
- Reaction score
- 59
When Tulane first joined the American Conference in 2014, it didn't have a winning season in its first four years, had just two in its first eight, and as recently as 2021, it went 2-10.
And then it became a Group of Six superpower with 43 wins and a College Football Playoff appearance over the last four seasons.
It took current Houston head coach Willie Fritz six years to build up the program. New Florida head man Jon Sumrall took it to another level, and now it's up to Will Hall to show that Tulane's success is sustainable.
Dec 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Jamauri McClure (25) runs against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half in the 2025 American Championship at Yulman Stadium.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Hall was great in three years at West Alabama and in three more years at West Virginia, but he struggled at Southern Miss, getting fired in the middle of the 2024 season.
But now he has shot to take all the things that Fritz and Sumrall put together and keep it going - even if he needs to rebuild the starting 22 and make the team his from the start.
Offensive coordinator Russ Callaway has to put this together from near scratch, at least when it comes to the starters.
Tulane brings in plenty of backups ready to play bigger roles, but there's little settled on the depth chart, and without a ton of transfers coming to fill in the holes.
The ground game should still be fine. The running backs worked in a rotation last year, and it should be the same again with Jamauri McClure back after leading the position with 540 yards averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and Florida State's Jaylin Lucas one of the team's best transfers for the offensive side.
The offensive line has parts back. There might not be a slew of starters returning, but enough of the key backups return - starting with Reese Baker and Elijah Baker on the inside - to keep the line from having to start from scratch.
The receiving corps will be a plus. Leading receiver Shazz Preston is gone to Indiana, Anthony Brown-Stephens is back after finishing second on the team with 41 grabs, and Zycarl Lewis Jr. returns after making 24 grabs. Throw in LSU transfer Destyn Hill, and there's a lot to like.
The quarterback situation isn't a mess, but it's not settled quite yet.
The Green Wave went from having Darian Mensah two years ago - who left for Duke and then Miami - to Jake Retzlaff, to a whale of a quarterback derby.
Kadin Semonza will likely be the main man - he had a huge year at Ball State in 2024, and didn't play last season - but he has to hold off Houston's Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, sophomore Dagan Bruno, and great-looking freshman Trace Johnson.
The offensive line might need a bit. There might be enough returning parts to the system to be okay, but losing most of the starters - including guard Shadre Hurst to Houston - is tough after finishing among the best lines in the nation in pass protection.
Last year's offense wasn't all that great. It was okay overall, but it was more timely than terrific.
Considering all the changes across the board, they need to form an even better group than the one that finished eighth in the American in total offense.
Anthony Brown-Stephens, WR Sr.
He played two years at Kentucky before coming over to Tulane, and last year he was a steady midrange target.
He doesn't have to become a true No. 1 go-to guy, but it would be a huge help if he could push for over 50 catches.
For an American Conference champion that found its way into the College Football Playoff, the defense was relatively meh.
It was fifth in the conference in scoring defense (23.9 points allowed per game) and seventh in total defense (384.2 yards per game).
Defensive coordinator Tayler Polk is still around after splitting the duties, and while there's a bunch of lost talent, more key players are around than the offensive side.
The secondary is one of the team's most experienced areas, and it starts with the safeties.
Jack Tchienchou led the team with 83 tackles, Kevin Adams Jr. made 43 stops with three broken up passes, and Joshua Moore is a strong part of the rotation who can play just about anywhere.
The corners aren't bad, either. There were some key losses here, but getting Kejuan Banks (USF) and Marquez Stevenson (Texas Tech) helps, and veteran E'zaiah Shine returns after making 41 stops with seven broken up passes.
Can this year's defense keep taking the ball away? The Green Wave forced five takeaways twice - wins over Northwestern and North Texas - and four in the win over Florida Atlantic.
The team went 6-0 when coming up with multiple turnovers.
The pass defense has to be far better. It wasn't okay considering all the help coming from the pass rush, but the secondary got hit hard by all the great quarterbacks and passing games, giving up over 300 yards six times.
The defensive front got gutted. The transfer portal was all over the Green Wave line, taking tackles Santana Hooper (Colorado), Eliyt Nairne (Pitt), and Tre'Von McAlpine (Kansas), along with edge rushers Harvey Dyson (NC State), Jordan Norman (Tennessee), and Joshua Brantley (Louisiana Tech).
As good as the defensive backs should be, it's not a plus to lose corner Jahiem Johnson (Arkansas) and safety Javion White (Houston). These were two of the most talented losses through the portal.
Jack Tchienchou, S Jr.
After starting out at Troy, he moved over to Tulane, where he made 50 tackles last season and dominated last year with 83 stops and three broken-up passes. He'll be among the best safeties in the American again.
Kadin Semonza, QB Jr.
It could be any one of four quarterback options, but let's go with Semonza - for now. He led the MAC with 24 touchdown passes and 242 passing yards per game two seasons ago, but he doesn't bring much of a running game.
Zeon Chriss-Gremillion brings experience and more for the ground game, with over 2,000 passing yards and close to 1,000 rushing yards between two years at Louisiana and two at Houston.
Be better late.
Remember, Tulane got the job done. However, it had to hang on for dear life far too often.
The Green Wave allowed 53 points in third quarters of games, and 127 in the fourth.
They were outscored 17-6 in the fourth quarter of the 33-31 win over South Alabama. Memphis lost 38-32, but outscored the Green Wave 15-0 in the final frame. Duke won the fourth quarter 11-3 in a seven-point Tulane win.
at Army, October 10
It's the American Conference opener, and it'll set the tone for the rest of the way.
Army wants to show that it's ready to be a player in the title chase, but Tulane gets a week off to rest up and prepare for the only road game between September 19 and Halloween weekend.
When you go to the College Football Playoff, other teams will want your players.
The Power Four programs came calling, and they stole a whole slew of major playmakers from last year's squad.
Tulane always finds ways to succeed without the obvious superstar prospects, and it'll have to do it with this bunch. There are a few new starters, but the class is missing the star power.
Destyn Hill, WR (LSU)
The 6-1, 189-pounder started out at Florida State and made six catches, missed the 2024 season, and last year made two grabs for LSU. Now he'll be asked to turn into the deep threat on the outside for the Green Wave attack.
Jahiem Johnson, CB (Arkansas)
With decent 6-0, 189-pound size and a great burst, he grew into the star role at corner last year with an American-high nine broken up passes with four picks and 42 tackles. Now he'll be a key part of the Arkansas secondary.
Tulane will be one of the most interesting calls of the American Conference season.
It's a far, far weaker team than last year's version, and there are way too many reasons to believe it could be a dud of a year, but other key teams are also rebuilding, and Tulane should be able to do it faster.
East Carolina, (a much-improved) Florida Atlantic, Navy, and (a MUCH improved) Temple - they're all off the slate. Start with that, and Tulane needs to stay alive in the conference chase as long as possible.
CFN Prediction: 8-4
Going to Duke and Kansas State will likely be early losses, but in conference play, Memphis, UTSA, and North Texas are all home dates.
Going to Army and USF is rough, but facing Charlotte and Rice on the road is a schedule gift.
Don't expect another College Football Playoff run, but enjoy the final record no matter how Tulane gets there.
Continue reading...
And then it became a Group of Six superpower with 43 wins and a College Football Playoff appearance over the last four seasons.
It took current Houston head coach Willie Fritz six years to build up the program. New Florida head man Jon Sumrall took it to another level, and now it's up to Will Hall to show that Tulane's success is sustainable.
Can Will Hall Keep Tulane Among the American Conference Elite?
You must be registered for see images attach
Dec 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Jamauri McClure (25) runs against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half in the 2025 American Championship at Yulman Stadium.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Hall was great in three years at West Alabama and in three more years at West Virginia, but he struggled at Southern Miss, getting fired in the middle of the 2024 season.
But now he has shot to take all the things that Fritz and Sumrall put together and keep it going - even if he needs to rebuild the starting 22 and make the team his from the start.
Tulane Quick Hits
- Head Coach: Will Hall (1st year; 11th year overall, 70-50)
- Best Case / Worst Case: Win another American Conference title/First losing season since 2021
- Key Player: Kadin Semonza, QB Jr. (or any of the four options at quarterback)
- 2025 Record: 11-3
- Biggest Question: How quickly can Will Hall put the right starting 22 in place after so much turnover?
Tulane Key 2025 Stats
- Penalties: Tulane 96 for 895 yards, Opponents 77 for 680 yards
- Tulane 2nd Quarter Scoring: 143, 3rd Quarter Scoring: 57
- Onside Kicks: Opponents 2-for-6, Tulane 0-for-1
Offense
Offensive coordinator Russ Callaway has to put this together from near scratch, at least when it comes to the starters.
Tulane brings in plenty of backups ready to play bigger roles, but there's little settled on the depth chart, and without a ton of transfers coming to fill in the holes.
What’s Working
The ground game should still be fine. The running backs worked in a rotation last year, and it should be the same again with Jamauri McClure back after leading the position with 540 yards averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and Florida State's Jaylin Lucas one of the team's best transfers for the offensive side.
The offensive line has parts back. There might not be a slew of starters returning, but enough of the key backups return - starting with Reese Baker and Elijah Baker on the inside - to keep the line from having to start from scratch.
The receiving corps will be a plus. Leading receiver Shazz Preston is gone to Indiana, Anthony Brown-Stephens is back after finishing second on the team with 41 grabs, and Zycarl Lewis Jr. returns after making 24 grabs. Throw in LSU transfer Destyn Hill, and there's a lot to like.
What Needs Work
The quarterback situation isn't a mess, but it's not settled quite yet.
The Green Wave went from having Darian Mensah two years ago - who left for Duke and then Miami - to Jake Retzlaff, to a whale of a quarterback derby.
Kadin Semonza will likely be the main man - he had a huge year at Ball State in 2024, and didn't play last season - but he has to hold off Houston's Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, sophomore Dagan Bruno, and great-looking freshman Trace Johnson.
The offensive line might need a bit. There might be enough returning parts to the system to be okay, but losing most of the starters - including guard Shadre Hurst to Houston - is tough after finishing among the best lines in the nation in pass protection.
Last year's offense wasn't all that great. It was okay overall, but it was more timely than terrific.
Considering all the changes across the board, they need to form an even better group than the one that finished eighth in the American in total offense.
Player to Watch
Anthony Brown-Stephens, WR Sr.
He played two years at Kentucky before coming over to Tulane, and last year he was a steady midrange target.
He doesn't have to become a true No. 1 go-to guy, but it would be a huge help if he could push for over 50 catches.
Defense
For an American Conference champion that found its way into the College Football Playoff, the defense was relatively meh.
It was fifth in the conference in scoring defense (23.9 points allowed per game) and seventh in total defense (384.2 yards per game).
Defensive coordinator Tayler Polk is still around after splitting the duties, and while there's a bunch of lost talent, more key players are around than the offensive side.
What’s Working
The secondary is one of the team's most experienced areas, and it starts with the safeties.
Jack Tchienchou led the team with 83 tackles, Kevin Adams Jr. made 43 stops with three broken up passes, and Joshua Moore is a strong part of the rotation who can play just about anywhere.
The corners aren't bad, either. There were some key losses here, but getting Kejuan Banks (USF) and Marquez Stevenson (Texas Tech) helps, and veteran E'zaiah Shine returns after making 41 stops with seven broken up passes.
Can this year's defense keep taking the ball away? The Green Wave forced five takeaways twice - wins over Northwestern and North Texas - and four in the win over Florida Atlantic.
The team went 6-0 when coming up with multiple turnovers.
What Needs Work
The pass defense has to be far better. It wasn't okay considering all the help coming from the pass rush, but the secondary got hit hard by all the great quarterbacks and passing games, giving up over 300 yards six times.
The defensive front got gutted. The transfer portal was all over the Green Wave line, taking tackles Santana Hooper (Colorado), Eliyt Nairne (Pitt), and Tre'Von McAlpine (Kansas), along with edge rushers Harvey Dyson (NC State), Jordan Norman (Tennessee), and Joshua Brantley (Louisiana Tech).
As good as the defensive backs should be, it's not a plus to lose corner Jahiem Johnson (Arkansas) and safety Javion White (Houston). These were two of the most talented losses through the portal.
Player to Watch
Jack Tchienchou, S Jr.
After starting out at Troy, he moved over to Tulane, where he made 50 tackles last season and dominated last year with 83 stops and three broken-up passes. He'll be among the best safeties in the American again.
Keys to the Season
- Considering all the position battles, be sure of the starting 22 coming out of fall camp.
- The quarterback play has to be great from the start.
- Even with all the new parts, including the depth, the defense has to be more productive.
Player Who Needs To Shine
Kadin Semonza, QB Jr.
It could be any one of four quarterback options, but let's go with Semonza - for now. He led the MAC with 24 touchdown passes and 242 passing yards per game two seasons ago, but he doesn't bring much of a running game.
Zeon Chriss-Gremillion brings experience and more for the ground game, with over 2,000 passing yards and close to 1,000 rushing yards between two years at Louisiana and two at Houston.
Biggest Concern
Be better late.
Remember, Tulane got the job done. However, it had to hang on for dear life far too often.
The Green Wave allowed 53 points in third quarters of games, and 127 in the fourth.
They were outscored 17-6 in the fourth quarter of the 33-31 win over South Alabama. Memphis lost 38-32, but outscored the Green Wave 15-0 in the final frame. Duke won the fourth quarter 11-3 in a seven-point Tulane win.
Biggest Game
at Army, October 10
It's the American Conference opener, and it'll set the tone for the rest of the way.
Army wants to show that it's ready to be a player in the title chase, but Tulane gets a week off to rest up and prepare for the only road game between September 19 and Halloween weekend.
Transfer Portal
When you go to the College Football Playoff, other teams will want your players.
The Power Four programs came calling, and they stole a whole slew of major playmakers from last year's squad.
Tulane always finds ways to succeed without the obvious superstar prospects, and it'll have to do it with this bunch. There are a few new starters, but the class is missing the star power.
Best Signing
Destyn Hill, WR (LSU)
The 6-1, 189-pounder started out at Florida State and made six catches, missed the 2024 season, and last year made two grabs for LSU. Now he'll be asked to turn into the deep threat on the outside for the Green Wave attack.
Biggest Loss
Jahiem Johnson, CB (Arkansas)
With decent 6-0, 189-pound size and a great burst, he grew into the star role at corner last year with an American-high nine broken up passes with four picks and 42 tackles. Now he'll be a key part of the Arkansas secondary.
Other Names to Know
- Jaylin Lucas, RB (Florida State)
- Gavin Marks, OG (Mercer)
- Gabe Daniels, WR (Syracuse)
CFN Season Prediction
Tulane will be one of the most interesting calls of the American Conference season.
It's a far, far weaker team than last year's version, and there are way too many reasons to believe it could be a dud of a year, but other key teams are also rebuilding, and Tulane should be able to do it faster.
East Carolina, (a much-improved) Florida Atlantic, Navy, and (a MUCH improved) Temple - they're all off the slate. Start with that, and Tulane needs to stay alive in the conference chase as long as possible.
CFN Prediction: 8-4
Going to Duke and Kansas State will likely be early losses, but in conference play, Memphis, UTSA, and North Texas are all home dates.
Going to Army and USF is rough, but facing Charlotte and Rice on the road is a schedule gift.
Don't expect another College Football Playoff run, but enjoy the final record no matter how Tulane gets there.
Continue reading...
