Tulane has seen a handful of standout, fan-favorite players hit the transfer portal. While it might be tough for fans to see them go, recent success proves that this is far from the end for the Green Wave.
Every year, more and more student-athletes across the country enter the transfer portal -- whether that be top players from smaller schools looking to cash in at a higher level, or fan-favorite backups just trying to find the perfect spot to fit in.
So far, quite a few well-loved Tulane Green Wave players have chosen to enter the transfer portal -- from All-American left guard Shadre Hurst and wideout Shazz Preston on offense to defensive tackle Santana Hopper and defensive back Jahiem Johnson. It's a tough blow on both sides of the ball.
While it might feel like things are completely unraveling after what was a historic, unforgettable season in Uptown, it's just a tough side effect of the major changes over the past few weeks. Will Hall is in charge now following Jon Sumrall's departure to the Florida Gators, and some players just simply want to settle elsewhere amidst a major coaching turnover.
This isn't just Tulane-specific, either. The Oklahoma State Cowboys, Auburn Tigers -- and yes, even Sumrall's new Gators squad -- have all seen quite a few players choose to leave amid coaching changes, whether those changes were needed or not.
It's not fun for fans to see so many of the players they've enjoyed watching over the years leave... but that doesn't mean Green Wave football is in complete upheaval with no chance at success next season, even if it might feel a bit bleak right now.
Here's an example. This time last year, former quarterback Darian Mensah entered the transfer portal after an impressive freshman season and ultimately landed with the Duke Blue Devils. Just like that, the future of the quarterback room remained uncertain, but the program went to work in the portal. The team was able to land a pair of quarterbacks with solid Power Four experience in Jake Retzlaff and Brendan Sullivan, and the former guided Tulane to its first College Football Playoff appearance. That's something that might've felt unfathomable one year ago.
The portal gives, and the portal takes away. It's the world of college football now, and it doesn't look like it's going to be changing anytime soon -- for better or for worse. More Uptown student-athletes might choose to hit the portal in the next few weeks as well -- nobody knows for sure except each specific player and their families as they weigh such important decisions.
Tulane has retained quite a few position-specific assistant coaches from last season, and most have recruited fairly well in years past. They'll be looking to do the same in the coming weeks, and it's easy to imagine that most have already been hard at work trying to find suitable players who are looking for new homes. For now, all anyone can do is wait.