Return of Jamauri McClure Brings Major Boost to Tulane Offense

The best ability is often availability, and the Tulane Green Wave certainly have some good news on that front ahead of American conference play.

As they practiced on Tuesday for game prep coming off their bye week, Green Wave running back Jamauri McClure was a sight for sore eyes out there, participating in team drills without a non-contact jersey for the first time since he went down with a fractured foot in fall camp.

But while head coach Will Hall told media members on Tuesday that he and the team feel that they’re a better football team than when we last talked to and saw them last two weeks back, they have a lot to prove on the road to kick off their conference slate.

An essential thing they’re looking for is an identity on offense. Well, a lot of that can be solved by a strong rush attack that McClure instantaneously boosts.

When McClure started taking over the starting running back job towards the end of the year last season, it was clear that he had a different gear and set of traits than what we were seeing from that room.

This year’s room looks a lot different in comparison. Maurice Turner is playing his best football right now. Jaylin Lucas has gotten some work out in space a bit more this week of prep. Johnnie Daniels has shown that he can throw a killer block as much as he can shoot through a gap.

Further good news on that front is that nothing appears to be up with Turner, who ended up limping a bit at the end of his 74-yard touchdown run against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, as he also was practicing in full with no non-contact jersey.

But the true finesse of that room lies with McClure.

Another major returnee was wide receiver Zycarl Lewis, who got injured during the season opener against the Duke Blue Devils and hasn’t practiced or played since. He was also not in a non-contact jersey on the practice field Tuesday.

However, the return of McClure is what fans have been clamoring for since the news first got out that he was hurt.

McClure averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry last season. The redshirt sophomore had eight total carries until Week 12 of last year against the FAU Owls.

In the final five games of the season, he added 75 touches for 83 total carries for 540 yards and two touchdowns.

Now that he’s had ample time to recover, his return should be a major boost for a Tulane offense looking to make the most out of and stretch out what should be expected to be limited possessions against the Army Black Knights Saturday.