Editor’s Note:
National Signing Day used to be a one-day holiday extravaganza. In today’s college football world, its stretched into a 6 week process with the transfer portal. Coach Jon Sumrall and his staff managed to take a roster that lost some key contributors to graduation and transfer to create possibly a deeper, more talented roster at several positions with 32 new additions to the program.
Today is another signing day of sorts as we welcome new writer, Tulane student John Burrows, who will help us cover the Green Wave. We hope you’re as excited as we are to follow John’s coverage.
Don’t forget that FTW Collective is having a Mardi Gras Meet and Greet with Coach Sumrall and select Tulane football players on Saturday, February 10th at 10:30 a.m. at Avenue Pub on St. Charles. There will be food and drinks included and children 6 and under get in free. Click this link to purchase your tickets: BUY TICKETS
Please enjoy John’s Signing Day Player Previews:
Transfers (13)
Ty Thompson: QB
Former School: Oregon
Ever since Michael Pratt declared for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season, Tulane fans have wondered who the next quarterback for the Green Wave would be, and it appears we have our answer in Ty Thompson. As a recruit, Thompson was rated as the number one player in the state of Arizona, the number seven quarterback nationally, and a top 40 overall recruit. After Oregon landed a commitment from Heisman front-runner Dillon Gabriel, Thompson decided to enter the transfer portal to compete for a starting job. With two years left of eligibility, Thompson chose to transfer to Tulane over opportunities as Washington State, TCU, South Carolina, and Oregon State. Thompson is known for his excellent arm strength and ability to fit passes into tight windows. He possesses prototypical size as well, listed at 6’4”, 220 lbs. Thompson’s main competition will be Kai Horton, who announced that he would be returning to Tulane for his fourth season. With Thompson’s addition and Horton’s return from the portal, Tulane is in a solid position at quarterback heading into 2024.
Mario Williams: WR
Former School: USC, Oklahoma
Mario Williams was ranked as a top five wide receiver in the country coming out of high school and committed to play at Oklahoma under then head coach Lilcoln Riley. During his freshman season at Oklahoma, Williams hauled in 35 passes for 380 and 4 touchdowns, but ultimately decided to follow Riley to USC for the next two seasons. Williams' numbers progressed to 631 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022, but he saw his production dip in 2023, totaling only 305 yards. Williams, listed at 5’9”, 174 lbs, is a big play threat known for having solid speed and elite quickness. For those who follow the NFL, think Elijah Moore. Williams has struggled with drops throughout his career thus far and will look to rebound in a big way in 2024. Overall, Mario Williams is a player with an incredibly high ceiling and the ability to single handedly change the outcomes of games.
Shazz Preston: WR
Former School: Alabama
Like Mario Williams, Shazz Preston was rated as one of the top receivers in the country coming out of high school. Preston, a Louisiana native, committed to play for Alabama over Texas, USC, and most of the SEC, but transferred to Tulane after receiving limited playing time in his first two seasons (64 snaps, 0 receptions). Preston, listed as 6’0”, 190 lbs, will likely be a key contributor to Tulane’s offense next season as a Z receiver.
Jaylon Griffin: WR
Former School: Kilgore, UCF
Jaylon Griffin is an interesting prospect, as he started his career at the junior college level with Kilgore Community College. In his first year at Kilgore, 2019, he caught only 2 passes for 26 yards. In fall of 2020, Kilgore did not play football due to Covid.Griffin transferred to UCF for the following three seasons where he totaled 9 receptions for 119 yards, 58 of which came in his most recent season. Griffin joins Tulane as a redshirt senior listed at 6’3”, 185 lbs and will give Tulane a solid, experienced option at the X receiver.
Terez Traynor: WR
Former School: Western Kentucky, Idaho
Terez Traynor comes to Tulane after stops at Western Kentucky and Idaho. In the class of 2018, Terez Traynor committed to play for Western Kentucky where he only played one season (2020). In that season, Traynor had 4 catches for 36 yards. The following season, he transferred to the University of Idaho, where he spent three seasons. His first season at Idaho was his best (2021), where he caught 50 passes for 737 yards along with 3 touchdowns, but his 2022 season was cut short due to injury. This past season, Traynor played 12 games but only had 24 catches for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns. Traynor possesses ideal size for an outside wide receiver, listed as 6’3” 205 lbs, and is looking to make an impact in what will likely be his final season of college football.
Vincent Murphy: IOL
Former School: South Carolina, Western Kentucky
Vincent Murphy, Tulane’s sole transfer on the offensive line, spent the first three seasons of his career with South Carolina. As a recruit, one of Murphy’s most enticing abilities was his versatility. Murphy started two seasons in high school where he played every position on the offensive line. This, along with his size (6’2”, 290 lbs) is one of the biggest reasons Murphy had offers coming out of high school from schools like Florida, Michigan State, Missouri, and Tennessee. After his time at South Carolina, Murphy transferred to Western Kentucky, where he started all 14 games in 2022. At Tulane, Murphy will likely play center, but could also play guard if needed.
Jack Tchienchou: S
Former School: Troy
Jack Tchienchou was originally recruited as a corner but converted to safety at Troy under current Tulane coach John Sumrall. Coming out of high school, Tchienchou received 15 offers, notably from schools like Colorado, Duke, Miami, Wisconsin, and Houston. As a freshman, Tchienchou recorded 3 total tackles in limited playing time. After spending a full season with Tchienchou at Troy, Sumrall thought highly enough of the safety to offer him a spot at Tulane. Look for Tchienchou to come in and push for a starting spot at safety.
Chris Rodgers: S
Former School: Troy
Like Jack Tchienchou, Chris Rodgers spent his first season at Troy under coach John Sumrall. Although Rodgers primarily played linebacker in high school, he moved to safety at Troy, a position he will likely remain at for Tulane. Rodgers only two offers out of high school came from Southern Miss and Troy, where he played in five games as a true freshman. In that time, he recorded 15 tackles along with half a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. Rodgers will likely transition to lineback this year where he will provide speed and depth and be a contributor on special teams.
Jalen Geiger: CB
Former School: Kentucky
Jalen Geiger will be spending his sixth and final college football season at Tulane after having spent the last five at Kentucky, where he spent three seasons under coach Sumrall. Coming out of high school, Geiger drew offers from nineteen schools including Boston College, Cincinnati, North Carolina, Rutgers, and Virginia. Geiger redshirted his freshman season, playing in just three games that year. In 2020, Geiger saw the field in six games, but played in all thirteen matches in 2021, with two starts. In 2022, however, Geiger suffered a season ending knee injury in just his second game of the season. Geiger ended up playing in eleven games, but decided to transfer to Tulane after receiving limited playing time in each of those games. Something that stands out about Geiger is that even though he only racked up two passes defended in his five seasons at Kentucky, he finished his career there with the same number of touchdowns: 2. One came from a pick six in 2021 against Vanderbilt where the quarterback threw it right to him after a busted play, and the other came in the form of a housed fumble recovery. More than anything else, Geiger offers Tulane experience from a tenured SEC corner.
Caleb Ransaw: CB
Former School: Troy
Caleb Ransaw is another defensive back that followed Tulane head coach John Sumrall from Troy to New Orleans. As a high school prospect, Ransaw was ranked as a two star prospect in the class of 2021. As a true freshman, Ransaw played 55 snaps over twelve games, forty of which came in pass protection. As a sophomore, Ransaw missed three weeks due to a concussion but was otherwise a starter. Last season Ransaw played in all thirteen of Troy’s games and was arguably the best defensive back on the roster. Ransaw, who drew offers in the portal from Alabama and Tennessee among others, brings an elite tackling ability at the corner position to next year’s Tulane defense.
Lu Tillery: CB
Former School: ULM
Since his arrival at Tulane, Coach John Sumrall has emphasized the importance of in-home recruiting. Lu Tillery, a New Orleans native, is an excellent example of that philosophy in practice. A graduate of Saint Augustine High School, Tillery spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career with Louisiana-Monroe. After playing in six games as a true freshman, Tillery played in twelve of Louisiana-Monroe’s matches each of the next two seasons. Tillery’s Sophomore season stands out the most, where he recorded four sacks and two forced fumbles as a corner.
Deshaun Batiste: DL
Former School: Troy
Former Troy defensive lineman Deshaun Batiste, nicknamed “The Reaper,” is another New Orleans native recruited to Tulane by Sumrall. Interestingly enough, Tulane was one of Batiste’s five offers coming out of high school. In his last two seasons of high school football, Batiste recorded 40 sacks, yet somehow managed to fly under the radar. His playing time was limited in his only season with Troy, but he still managed to account for 8 tackles in five games. If Batiste is able to grow into his 6’3” frame over the next couple seasons he could pose a serious problem for opposing offensive lines.
High School and JUCO Signees (19)
Kellen Tasby: QB
Kellen Tasby is the sole quarterback commitment for Tulane in this class, which is fairly standard amongst other programs. Tasby is listed at 6’5” and played high school football at Little Elm High School before transferring to Prestonwood Christian for his senior season. In his senior season, Tasby completed 59.7% of his passes for 3,154 yards (286.7 yards/game) and thirty touchdowns while only throwing eight interceptions. Tasby offers Tulane ideal size at the quarterback position as he looks to potentially develop into the future starter.
Jamauri McClure: RB
Tulane signed Jamauri McClure as the running back for the 2024 class, a 5’10” 190 lb prospect from Goshen, Alabama. McClure received offers from thirteen schools, originally committing to South Alabama this past June. McClure was originally offered by Tulane this past summer by the previous staff and was re-offered by coach Sumrall after he took the Tulane job. After decommitting from South Alabama in November, McClure visited both Troy and Tulane before signing with the Green Wave. During his senior year of high school, McClure rushed for an impressive 1,618 yards and 25 touchdowns on just 127 carries (12.7/carry) while adding 107 yards and an additional touchdown through the air. He was also asked to play kick returner, where he recorded one touchdown, as well as cornerback, where he intercepted three passes.
Zycarl Lewis: WR
Zycarl Lewis received offers from 26 schools, including Georgia, LSU, Miami, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Michigan. The 5’10” receiver from Venice Florida is known for his home run hitting ability with the potential to turn any play into a big gain. Early in high school, Lewis was used as a gadget player, taking snaps at running back and on special teams in addition to his time at receiver. During his senior season, Lewis recorded 51 receptions for 950 yards and 10 touchdowns along with two additional punt return touchdowns. While Lewis was once committed to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado, he made the decision to flip his commitment to Tulane and play for coach Sumrall instead. Lewis’ experience on special teams and big play ability make him somebody who could compete for early playing time.
Shaun Nicholas: WR
Shaun Nicholas, a Louisiana native, is listed at an impressive 6’4” and 185 lbs. Nicholas received just four offers out of high school but drew additional interest from Florida, Florida State, and LSU. Keep an eye on Nicholas, as his frame gives him the opportunity to develop into a weapon under receiver coach Carter Sheridan.
Tristen Fortenberry: OT
Trisen Fortenberry is one of my favorite signings of Tulane’s 2024 class, as his 6’6” 275 lbs frame gives him NFL potential. Fortenberry drew strong interest from Ole Miss, who Tulane eventually beat out for Fortenberry’s commitment. Size is one of the most crucial traits an offensive lineman can possess, and because it cannot be taught, is very arguably the most valuable. Beating out an SEC school for an offensive lineman is a great sign of a healthy Tulane program.
Dominic Stewart: OT
Dominic Stewart is another giant Tulane managed to land a commitment from on the offensive line. Stewart primarily played right tackle at Westlake in Atlanta, Georgia and received offers from twenty three schools. Again, size is invaluable at offensive line. Stewart drew offers from multiple power five schools, including Missouri, Cincinnati and UCF, but ultimately chose Tulane where he enrolled early. Steward recently received a 4 th star after a post-season evaluation from 247 Sports.
Jayce Mitchell: IOL
Jayce Mitchell, listed at 6’3” 275 lbs, is one of three interior offensive lineman to sign with Tulane this cycle. A Louisiana native, Mitchell played high school football at Destrehan where he received eight college offers. Although Mitchell spent most of his senior season starting at right tackle, he projects better as an offensive guard at the next level. After decommitting from Cincinnati in December, Mitchell signed with Tulane on Early National Signing day.
Elijah Baker: IOL
Elijah Baker is listed at 6’3” 280 lbs, and received offers from four programs coming out of high school. While playing football in Hattiesburg Mississippi, Baker received all state honors three times as well as all region honors all four seasons. Baker originally committed to Southern Miss during this past summer, but flipped his commitment to Tulane in December.
RJ Whitehead: OL
RJ Whitehead, listed at 6’5” 300 lbs, played high school football in Horn Lake Mississippi before playing his freshman season at junior college. Whitehead received twelve offers after his time at juco, and took visits to Temple, Troy, UAB, and Tulane before ultimately signing with the Green Wave. Whitehead will look to compete for playing time at both guard and tackle.
Chase Green: S
Chase Green is one of two safeties signed by Tulane this cycle. While at Largo High School in Florida, Green ran track in addition to playing football. Green played running back in addition to safety at Largo High School but projects best as a safety at the next level. After receiving eleven college offers Green chose to take visits to Tulane, Illinois and Temple. Although Illinois originally landed Green’s commitment in June, Green ultimately flipped to Tulane, announcing his commitment this past November.
Kionte Curry: S
Like RJ Whitehead, Tulane signed Kionte Curry from the junior college ranks. Coming out of high school, Kionte Curry received eight offers, but ultimately committed to Illinois over schools like Kentucky and Nebraska. After one season at Illinois, however, Curry transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he had a big year totaling five interceptions in ten games. Now, Curry will join a big secondary class for the Green Wave.
Jayden Lewis: CB
Jayden Lewis made Tulane football history the day he signed with the Green Wave, becoming the highest rated high school school recruit signed by Tulane in program history. Lewis received twenty offers out of high school, including Florida State, Auburn, Colorado, Arkansas, Mississippi St., Tennessee and Penn St. just to name a few. Lewis visited Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State before committing to Auburn early in the recruiting process. After decommitting from Auburn in October, Lewis decided to make history and sign with Tulane. Look for Lewis and his elite speed to make an immediate impact next season.
E’Zaiah Shine: CB
E’Zaiah Shine played high school football at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach Florida, where he played both cornerback and quarterback. In addition to playing both sides of the ball in football, Shine also played basketball and ran track in high school. After receiving nineteen offers in high school, including the likes of Florida, Illinois, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and West Virginia, Shine elected to take official visits to Maryland and Iowa State before choosing to commit to Tulane.
Armani Cargo: CB
Armani Cargo, a Louisiana native, played primarily safety in high school but projects more as a corner/nickel. During his junior season, Cargo won 5A state in both the 100 meters as well as the 200 meters, amongst other state awards. On the football field, Cargo is an elite ball hawk with good tackling despite his size. I would be surprised if Cargo does not see the field early on special teams.
Javion White: CB
Like Armani Cargo, Javion White is also a Louisiana native. White played in high school at Franklin Parish in Winnsboro, Louisiana, where also played baseball and ran track. Since his junior season, White saw snaps on defense, offense, and special teams, highlighting his elite athleticism. Between his junior and senior seasons, White recorded over 1,500 receiving yards, but projects best as a corner. After receiving six offers in high school, White committed to Tulane last June.
DK McGruder: CB
Tulane went back into the junior college ranks to recruit DK McGruder, a 6’2” corner from Mississippi. McGruder originally committed to Coach Sumrall at Troy, but flipped his commitment to Tulane after Sumrall was hired as Tulane’s head coach. While McGruder was also interested in playing baseball at the collegiate level, he eventually decided on football and will continue his career at Tulane. McGruder gives Tulane a long option at boundary corner as a possible replacement to Jarius Monroe.
Geordan Guidry: Edge
Geordan Guidry, another Louisiana native, received five offers out of high school, including offers from Ole Miss, Missouri and Kansas State. At Ruston High School, Guidry ran track in addition to playing football, an impressive feat for an edge rusher. Guidry, who is already listed at 255 lbs, will likely be in the mix to back up Angelo Anderson this season.
Guiseann Mirtil: ATH
Guiseann Mirtil received twenty nine offers out of high school, the most out of any recruit signed by Tulane this cycle. In high school, Mirtil played tight end, linebacker, and defensive end for Winter Haven High School in Florida and figures to get a hard look at tight end. After taking unofficial visits to Florida State, USF, Coastal Carolina, and UCF, Mirtil elected to sign with Tulane, where he was an early enrollee.
Reese Baker: OT
Reese Baker is a talented offensive tackle from Alabama who has been on Tulane’s radar for quite a while. Baker officially visited Tulane in July 2023 and was a silent commitment to Willie Fritz’s staff for months. Coach Sumrall, and particularly Coach Dan Rouschar, were able to keep Baker in the fold after Coach Fritz’s departure. Baker chose Tulane over offers from Auburn, Cincinnati, West Virginia and others.