Will the Green Wave reload their secondary in the transfer portal or look to the next man up mentality?
The Tulane Green Wave still have some time to rebuild their roster in the transfer portal, but it’s certainly preferred to optimize the guys already in the building and entrenched in the defensive system that may see some tweaks under new defensive coordinator Tayler Polk, but likely won’t stray too far from what the team has run for the last few seasons. The Green Wave employ a 3-4 front but that can be debated on the number of down linemen, and they mainly run their coverage in nickel with five defensive backs – a few times running out six in dime defense last season. What will that secondary room look like this year between incoming transfers and key returnees?
It was a group that was strong at the safety role last year but had some inexperience at cornerback that showed throughout the season having to replace two NFL corners. E’zaiah Shine and Jahiem Johnson slotted into the roles – but only Shine is returning. Shine was primarily at field while Johnson was at boundary, and Shine was backed up by LJ Green while Johnson, who's in the portal, was backed up by Isaiah Wadsworth.
When either starter had a poor stretch or needed rest, their backups came in and performed considerably. But now they have two field corners and none at boundary, with Green also announcing his return. Will they look to develop one of their new corners in the portal at that role, or look to see if Green or Shine is able to make the switch?
The skill set is different, with the boundary corner having less space on the short side and often playing on an island, as they tend to get less safety help. The field side is the wider side, and those players need a bit more speed and quickness to cover more ground and have recovery ability, but they usually have more safety help. Tulane ran Cover 6 at times last year as well, where the field side is in Cover 4 dropping back into a deeper zone with the boundary corner in Cover 2.
Green is likely too small to move to the boundary at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. However, Shine is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, which is much closer to Johnson’s 6-foot, 189-pound stature. With a year in the Green Wave’s system, and much closer coaching by cornerbacks coach JJ McCleskey as a starter versus on scout team the year prior, Shine could maybe grow into the role.
They also need to replace Javion White at Spear, but that role seems more settled with TJ Smith returning who backed up White, much like White backed up Caleb Ransaw before he headed to the NFL.
The portal is open for a few more days, and any players who entered are fair game. Tulane also brought in two new corners who could potentially have a skillset closer to the boundary corner traits.