New Orleans isn't just a party town anymore. It's a football town. But if you’re looking at the Tulane football depth chart and expecting the same old names from the Willie Fritz era, you’re in for a massive shock.
Everything changed when Jon Sumrall jumped ship for Florida in late 2025. Honestly, the timing was brutal. He left just as the Green Wave was prepping for a CFP matchup against Ole Miss. Now, as we stare down the 2026 season, the "Wave" is looking more like a complete overhaul. Will Hall is the man in charge now, and he's not just filling seats—he’s rebuilding the engine while the car is moving 80 miles per hour on I-10.
The Quarterback Room: Life After the Hula Bowl
Jake Retzlaff was the heart of this offense last year. He put up over 3,000 yards and ran for 16 touchdowns. But he's gone now, having accepted his Hula Bowl invite and moved toward the pros. So, who’s actually taking the snaps?
The competition is basically a three-way street, and it's messy. Brendan Sullivan is the veteran in the room. He’s a big dude at 6'4", and while he only threw 30 passes last year, he’s got the "game manager" vibe that coaches love when they're trying to stabilize a program.
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Then you’ve got Kadin Semonza, the transfer from Ball State. He’s smaller, scrappier, and might have a higher ceiling if Hall wants to get creative with the RPO game. Don't sleep on Jay Beamon, though. He’s a true sophomore now with a cannon for an arm. If the veterans struggle in spring ball, the local kid might just steal the job.
Why the Running Back Room is a Concern
Losing Javin Gordon to Tennessee was a gut punch. You can't just replace 500+ yards and a 4-yard-per-carry average overnight, especially when the kid had family ties to the Vols. It felt inevitable, but it still hurts the 2026 outlook.
- Jamauri McClure: He’s the undisputed RB1 now. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry in limited action. He’s fast. Like, "don't blink" fast.
- Arnold Barnes III: The bruiser. He’s the guy you want on 3rd and 2.
- Zuberi Mobley: The senior presence. He’s steady, but he isn't going to break many 80-yarders.
Tulane Football Depth Chart: The Defense is Where the Battle is Won
If the offense is a question mark, the defense is a literal puzzle. The transfer portal window that just closed on January 16, 2026, was a wild ride. The Green Wave managed to pull in some serious talent, but they lost some key pieces too.
The Secondary Shuffle
KaJuan Banks coming in from South Florida is a massive win. He’s a nickelback who played at South Carolina before USF, so he’s seen high-level speed. He’s basically the "glue guy" for a secondary that was getting torched in the postseason.
Alongside him, you’ve got Kevin Adams III and Jack Tchienchou. Tchienchou is the playmaker. He’s always around the ball. Honestly, he’s the type of player who makes you wonder why he wasn’t recruited by the SEC powerhouses.
The Defensive Front
The "Bandit" position is still the most exciting part of this scheme. Mo Westmoreland is back for his final year. At 250 pounds, he’s a nightmare for offensive tackles. He doesn’t just sack quarterbacks; he ruins their whole week.
We also saw some big news with Ed Smith IV and Reshad Sterling coming in through the portal. Sterling, a Houston transfer, brings that "big school" physicality that Tulane needs if they want to survive that brutal September stretch against Auburn and Ole Miss.
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The Vertical Threat: Can Anyone Catch the Ball?
Shazz Preston is the name everyone knows. The Alabama transfer showed flashes of brilliance last year with over 700 yards. He’s the WR1, no questions asked. But a one-man show doesn't win the AAC.
The arrival of Gabe Daniels from Syracuse is a game-changer. The guy runs a 4.4 forty. He’s a vertical threat that forces safeties to stay deep, which should theoretically open up the middle for Anthony Brown-Stephens.
- Shazz Preston: The polished route runner.
- Gabe Daniels: The speedster who takes the top off the defense.
- Oliver Mitchell: The local Edna Karr legend who stayed home. He’s got "breakout" written all over him.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Wave
Most fans think the coaching change means a "down year." That's lazy thinking. Will Hall inherited a roster that actually has more raw athleticism than the 2024 squad. The issue isn't talent; it's chemistry.
When you bring in nine defensive transfers in a single window, you're gambling. You’re betting that a kid from South Alabama (like Dalton Hughes) can communicate perfectly with a kid from Texas Tech (Macho Stevenson) on a 4th-quarter blitz against Missouri.
The Offensive Line Reality Check
We need to talk about the trenches. Jordan Hall and Jack Hollifield are gone. That is a lot of "meat" to lose in one offseason. John Bock is expected to slide into the center spot, and Reese Baker is holding down the right tackle position. If this unit doesn't gel by the time they head to Auburn on September 19th, it won't matter how fast Gabe Daniels is.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re following the Tulane football depth chart this spring, keep your eyes on these three specific things:
- The Quarterback Completion Percentage: Sullivan is safer, but Semonza has the "it" factor. Watch the spring game stats closely; if Sullivan isn't above 65%, the job is wide open.
- The "Spear" Position: This is the hybrid safety/linebacker role. Javion White is the projected starter, but the staff is looking for a more physical presence. Watch for any late portal additions here.
- The Kicking Game: Don't forget about special teams. With close games expected against FAU and Campbell, a reliable leg is worth its weight in gold in the AAC.
The 2026 Green Wave won't look like the 2025 version. It’ll be faster, younger, and probably a lot more volatile. But in the new era of the College Football Playoff, volatile is better than boring.
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To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the post-spring portal window. Many Power 4 backups will be looking for starting roles, and Tulane’s new-look staff has already proven they have the NIL backing to compete for high-end talent. Focus on the offensive line depth; one more veteran tackle could be the difference between a bowl game and a conference title.