Even without Jon Sumrall, the Tulane Green Wave aren't in a much different place than they were last year.
Roster turnover and coaching changes are a part of life now in today’s college football. It doesn’t make it easier for fans of the sport to just get used to it, as they’re often told. But it’s clear that the current state of things is the Wild West for every FBS team in the nation. But let’s look at the Tulane Green Wave’s situation. The offense is already returning the same number of starters as last season: two. And they’re pretty important ones at that in running back Jamauri McClure and right tackle Reese Baker. Last season, it was left tackle Derrick Graham and left guard Shadre Hurst.
Starting center through right guard all graduated in 2024, as did all three starting receivers in Mario Williams, Dontae Fleming, and Yulkeith Brown. They lost starting quarterback Darian Mensah, running back Makhi Hughes, and tight end Alex Bauman to the transfer portal.
This year, they lose graduating seniors Graham, center Jack Hollifield, and right guard Jordan Hall, and left guard Shadre Hurst to the transfer portal. They’ve since signed Mercer center Gavin Marks in the transfer portal, with Baker returning, and important backups John Bock and Elijah Baker who could look to start next year. The Green Wave also lose quarterback Jake Retzlaff to graduation. They return their starting running back this time. They’ll need to replace the tight end room with all players transferring, but none really had the season production Bauman consistently had. They lose Shazz Preston and Omari Hayes to the transfer portal, and graduate a few seniors, but that room didn’t have the trio of 2024.
Last season, Tulane lost graduating seniors Patrick Jenkins and Adin Huntingon as starters on the defensive line, and starters Parker Peterson and Matthew Fobbs-White to the transfer portal. Kam Hamilton was the only returning starter on the d-line. Linebacker Tyler Grubbs graduated, but they returned Sam Howard, and backups Dickson Agu, Chris Rodgers, and Makai Williams. Both starting corners Micah Robinson and Johnathan Edwards and spear Caleb Ransaw are all playing in the NFL. Free safety Jalen Geiger graduated, and Edward’s backup, Rayshawn Pleasant, transferred. Bailey Despanie was the third returning starter at strong safety.
He will graduate this season, and has declared for the 2026 NFL draft, as has Kam Hamilton. Sam Howard graduates as well. The remaining three starters on the d-line are entering the transfer portal, and the backup Bandit graduates. So, no returning starters. That’s one less than last year. Howard is a massive leader lost. But the team returns Agu, Rodgers, and Williams again. They have two starters now in Rodgers and Agu if he’s all healthy. Starting corner Jahiem Johnson and spear Javion White are entering the transfer portal. Starting corner Ezaiah Shine and free safety Jack Tchienchou have yet to announce their plans.
All things considered, is Tulane in much different position than they were last year despite all the coaching turnover? The state of college football is ridiculous. Jon Sumrall couldn’t keep a starting roster together despite being in place the year prior. Will Hall at this point has returned three, arguably four, starters and a lot of important backup players who could develop into starters for the team this year. The foundation may be better than the transfer portal exodus makes it appear.