Tulane Quarterback Competition Still for the Taking After First Fall Scrimmage

New Orleans, La. – The Tulane Green Wave had their first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday as they prepare for the upcoming college football season and look to settle the remaining questions on the roster.

The major one, obviously, being the quarterback competition.

And unfortunately, while Day 9 offered the longest glimpse at each of the competitors, it didn’t really illuminate a leader of the pack.

There also was a noticeable lack of a long passing game that kept the evaluation of the signal callers a bit limited.

It was clear that they all benefitted from the chance to build some rhythm, and you could see the veterans in particular settle in a bit, with Kadin Semonza having a few solid connections and Zeon Chriss-Gremillion being able to show off his best trait in his running during the final “red zone lockout” period, as coach Will Hall calls it.

Trace Johnson had a pretty pass to Cam Roberts, who has definitely taken advantage of the void in the tight end room due to some injuries and has made the most of his increased reps.

Semonza’s best connection of the day might have been a soft pass to running back Jaylin Lucas in space that showed great touch and a good look at what this offense can be creatively.

But for most outside observers who don’t have tape to go back over, Saturday didn’t really answer as many questions as perhaps hoped.

The increased reps for each quarterback as they each had multiple drives showed a better baseline for all of them benefitting from that more sustained time.

It was pretty clear that they all need a bit more of it before being able to come to any conclusions there.

The quarterbacks also weren’t live, and for a player like Chriss-Gremillion who has the run traits, it doesn’t allow him to fully showcase his best skillset.

In six seasons at Tulane, the best passing games have operated with a guy who can win contested catches and one who’s smaller and shifter.

Destyn Hill has shown the physicality in his grabs to fit that first category while Anthony Brown-Stephens has displayed quickness and speed on routes that should open up the passing game alongside the increased involvement of both the tight ends and running backs.

The defense showed some new looks too, with Chase Green and Kajuan Banks taking snaps at safety for one play while Jack Tchienchou played man coverage out of the spear role in the slot.

The secondary has a lot of versatile players who could see time at a few different roles this year.

It was the second practice in a row that the defense also matched the heavier run personnel with three tight end sets, with Saturday featuring Chris Rodgers, Dickson Agu, and Dalton Hughes in those sets.

The defense won the day early on, getting some solid run stops on the offense before they were able to break it open a little bit.

Those hoping for major answers won’t come away with them from Saturday’s scrimmage, and the door is still wide open under center for the taking.