South Alabama transfer Ed Smith IV joins Reese Baker and E'zaiah Shine on Tulane's Third Team.
As the Tulane Green Wave football team gets closer and closer to fall camp, there is plenty of excitement surrounding players to watch for the upcoming season.
The team has had several players named to preseason watchlists with plenty of overlap.
The First and Second Team preseason selection stars always dominate headlines, but it often feels like there isn’t real great criteria for what puts a guy on which team.
However, the guys that make multiple lists are on there for a reason.
We’ve broken down the tiers of teams for the Athlon Sports 2026 Preseason American All-Conference Selections, with 10 total players being named for the Green Wave.
The First Team is made up of running back Jamauri McClure, safety Jack Tchienchou and running back/return specialist Jaylin Lucas.
Wide receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens and linebackers Chris Rodgers and Dickson Agu make up the Second Team.
Now, onto the Third Team, which features offensive lineman Reese Baker, defensive lineman Ed Smith IV, and cornerback E’zaiah Shine.
Baker contributed to one of the better offensive lines in the nation last season starting all 14 games for the Wave.
The offense ranked top 10 nationally in sacks allowed per game (6th - 0.77) and tackles for loss allowed per game (7th - 3.69).
The rushing attack will be super important for Tulane this season, and it’s always a part of their offensive identity.
Last season, Tulane averaged 4.5 yards per carry on the ground with 2,318 rushing yards.
They put up 20 or more points in 12 games including seven that went for 30+. Baker was named a Fourth Team Preseason selection by Phil Steele.
Smith IV is a rare newcomer on the list, transferring in from the South Alabama Jaguars.
Smith started all 12 games for the Jaguars last season and totaled 33 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hits.
He had a career 72 tackles in 33 games for South Alabama, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Smith will be part of a defensive line that has a lot of holes to plug from last season.
Rounding out the third team selections is Shine, a redshirt sophomore defensive back who was also a Fourth Team Preseason selection by Phil Steele alongside Baker.
Shine started all 14 games as a first-year starter for the Wave last season, which was impressive with no experience as a starter.
He recorded 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and was second on the team with seven pass breakups.
Shine will look to make a big leap this year with a significant number of snaps under his belt.
