Tulane's Jaylin Lucas Receives American Conference Honor

Though he's in his first season in Uptown, it hasn't taken long for Jaylin Lucas to start picking up some honors for the Tulane Green Wave.

The standout running back was a difference-maker in the program's 28-24 win over the South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday night, and on Monday, he was recognized on the American Conference Weekly Honor Roll. 

Lucas racked up 214 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries in the win over the Jaguars. His biggest play of the night came on an 80-yard touchdown run in the second half that helped give the Green Wave some momentum down the stretch. 

Those 214 yards officially put Lucas in the record books, just two games into the season. His rushing total is the most by a Tulane player at Yulman Stadium, and it marked the biggest individual rushing attack since standout Tyjae Spears ran for 264 yards against the Memphis Tigers in 2021. Additionally, this is the first time in nearly three years that a running back has amassed more than 200 yards for the program. Spears was the most recent player to accomplish that feat, running for 205 yards in the team's 2023 Cotton Bowl win over the USC Trojans. 

Additionally, Lucas set a conference record with an average of 19.5 yards per carry, with a minimum of 10 attempts. Take away his massive 80 yard gain, and he still ran for roughly 13.4 yards per carry; those are numbers typically seen only in video games. 

The redshirt senior has been a huge pickup for Tulane. Originally from Houma, Lucas graduated from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, and his return to his roots has been well-appreciated by Green Wave fans. He spent time with both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Florida State Seminoles, where he seemed to most often serve as a major threat as a return specialist. Lucas racked up some yards both on the ground and through the air as well, but nobody has utilized him quite like the Olive Green and Sky Blue has.

Lucas has earned his spot on the field, and he will likely be half of a dynamic duo with fellow running back Jamauri McClure, who has missed the first two games after suffering an injury in the preseason. When both of those standout rushers take the field, the opportunities are endless.

Tulane will return to action on Saturday, September 19th, as it takes on the Kansas State Wildcats on the road. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.