By Jeff Sanderson
Tulane Green Wave
2015 Record: 5-7(4-5) 9th in American Conference
2015 Bowl Result: N/A
Head Coach: Curtis Johnson (15-33 Career, 15-33 @ Tulane)
Offensive Coordinator: Bush Hamdan
Defensive Coordinator: Thom Kaumeyer
Offensive Scheme: Pro
Base Defense: 4-3
TULANE QB DEVIN POWELL HOPES TO BE MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE TOP QBS IN THE CONFERENCE THIS SEASON
Quarterback Devin Powell had a decent season in throwing for 2,319 yards and 24 touchdowns to 11 interceptions but they will need more from him if 2016 is to be an improvement. Josh Rounds ran for 844 yards and eight scores last season and those numbers will need a significant boost as well. The entire wide receiver group has caught 25 passes and Tristan Cooper has caught 23 of them. The offensive line is largely unproven aside from guard Nathan Shienle.
Defensively things look a bit better on the defensive line with James McFarland and Corey Smith leading the way. Those two should be able to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable which they will need because there is not much proven talent at linebacker or in the secondary.
Tulane will struggle to stay out of the basement once again in 2016.
2016 Schedule
09/03/16 FCS W
09/10/16 @ Wake Forest
09/17/16 @ Louisiana-Monroe
09/24/16 @ ECU
10/01/16 Louisiana
10/08/16 Cincinnati
10/15/16 Navy
10/29/16 @ USF
11/05/16 Connecticut
11/12/16 @ SMU
11/19/16 Houston
11/26/16 Tulsa
Impact Players
QB Devin Powell
2015 Stats: 2,319Yds 24TD 11Int, 130Car 315Yds 3TD
RB Josh Rounds
2015 Stats: 176Car 844Yds 8TD, 22Rec 294Yds 2TD
DE James McFarland
2015 Stats: 28Tkl, 19TFL, 4.5Sck
OLB Clint Wise
2015 Stats: 33Tkl, 6TFL, 2.0Sck, 3Int
Projected Starters
*Starter projections are based on last season and our own spring practice observations, in most cases information has not been provided by the team*
Offense
QB Devin Powell - SR
RB Josh Rounds - SR
FB Lazedrick Thompson - SR
WR Tristan Cooper - JR
WR Sean Estes - JR
TE Michael Riley - FR
LT Brandon Godfrey - JR
LG E.J. Golden - JR
C Brock Abrams - JR
RG Nathan Shienle - SR
RT Billy Jones - SO
Defense
LE James McFarland - SR
RE Corey Smith - JR
DT Tanzel Smart – SR
DT Eldrick Washington - JR
LOLB Clint Wise - JR
MLB Edward Williams - SR
ROLB Eric Thomas - JR
CB Eric Jones - JR
CB Sean Williams - SO
CB Mike Bennett - SO
FS Jeremy Merritt - FR
SS Brooks Hunter - JR
Specialists
K Leonard Barnett - JR
P Justin Gillett - FR
KR Sherman Badie - JR
KR Josh Rounds - SR
PR Sherman Badie - JR
Freshman to Watch
FS Jeremy Merritt
Free safety is a tough position to jump into as a true freshman but that’s what Tulane is asking Jeremy Merritt to do. Merritt will be responsible for reading offenses and calling coverages from day one for the Green Wave. Mistakes could certainly lead to splash plays for opposing offenses, especially early in the season.
2016 Projection
10th in American Conference, 5th in West Division