Tulane football enjoyed stellar kicking from Patrick Durkin, and that was recognized by a prestigious magazine.
Tulane Green Wave kicker Patrick Durkin had a really impressive sophomore season. He was 25-for-28 on field goals and 41-for-42 on extra points as the team’s kicker in all 14 games. He was 7-for-9 from 40+, with four going for 50+, and hit his career long of 52 yards. Durkin was critical in several wins for the team when the offense struggled and his long range was a gamechanger from a playcalling and strategic perspective.
Durkin’s 25 made field goals were the most made by a kicker in a single season in school history, and they were good for seventh in the nation. His 116 total points that led the American were also the most-ever for a Tulane kicker and are the fifth most by any position player overall in program history. He also boasted a 86.2 percent on touchbacks, with 69 on 90 kickoffs in 2025. The Green Wave hadn’t seen a kicker like Durkin since current Chicago Bear Cairo Santos.
That was all recognized by the Phil Steele Magazine, who selected Durkin as an Honorable Mention All-American. Durkin was also one of 14 Tulane players to earned All-Conference honors from the magazine.
Durkin was previously selected as a First Team All-Conference selection for the first time in his two-year career. He also was named the American Special Teams Player of the Week three times this year.
Durkin was joined by several players for the Green Wave on the first team: defensive back Jahiem Johnson, safety Jack Tchienchou, and punter Alec Clark. Now, unfortunately for Tulane fans, Johnson is entering the portal, and none of the remaining players have committed to returning yet. But it really shows how valuable special teams were for the Green Wave this season.
They had a new starting kicker in Durkin this year and punter in Clark, who replaced former punter Will Karoll who is now at USC. And that unit was an asset. Clark’s chemistry with Durkin also played an important role as he was the holder for Durkin on field goals and extra points.
Left guard Shadre Hurst and defensive tackle Santana Hopper made second team – both are in the portal. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff, left tackle Derrick Graham, defensive end Kam Hamilton, nose tackle Tre’Von McAlpine, and linebacker Sam Howard made third team. McAlpine is entering the portal with the rest graduating. Bandit Harvey Dyson, spear Javion White, and long snapper Jason Arredondo made fourth team. Dyson and White are in the portal. But Arrendondo’s inclusion is also important as a true freshman having to replace a longtime starter in Ethan Hudak.