Unless there is an injury or coronavirus test issues tomorrow or Friday, it looks like all of Tulane's starters will be available to play against South Alabama on Saturday. In addition, only one sure contributor, freshman safety Cornelius Dyson, missed this morning's practice, although a few other likely contributors were absent, too. The Green Wave actually is down 20 scholarship players by my count due to injury or other reasons--the Wave does not confirm coronavirus issues--but none of them are pivotal guys.
Justin Ibieta practiced today, so all three scholarship quarterbacks are available. Wide receiver Tyrek Presley, offensive lineman Matt Lombardi, tight end Will Wallace, cornerback Reggie Neely and running back Ygenio Booker were in attendance but did not have their helmets along with Kanyon Walker, who has not practiced in ages due to a hip issue. Angelo Anderson, Brandon Brown, Adonis Friloux, Kiland Harrison, Dyson, Armoni Dixon, Shi'Keem Laister, Dane Ledford, KJ Vault, Reggie Brown, Stephen Lewerenz, Caleb Thomas, Nik Hogan and Michael Remondet I did not see at all. Reggie Brown has a serious leg injury, but th others may be sidelined due to contact tracing or a positive test. Wide receiver Sorrell Brown did not practice in the portion I saw either, but he was in pads with his helmet on for the first time in a few weeks,. so he appears to be close. Jha'Quan Jackson was in a full-contact jersey for the first time in more than a week.
Depth could be an issue on the defensive line, where walk-on Noah Seiden continues to get second-team reps, but the Wave is in pretty good shape compared to teams across the country. Sincere Haynesworth continues to be the only true center practicing, but he will play every down Saturday barring injury.
The first-team offense line was the same as normal, with Josh Remetich continuing to get all the reps with the first unit at right guard.
The first-team defense had all of the usual suspects, too, although Willie Langham spent some time at both cornerback and nickelback, replacing Kyle Meyers, with Ajani Kerr going in at nickelback. The second-team defense had Carlos Hatcher, Albert Thomas, Eric Hicks and Noah Seiden, with Darius Hodges getting some reps in place of Seiden. Davon Wright was in individual drills, so I'm not sure why he was on the second unit for team drills. The cornerbacks were Kevaris Hall and Levi Williams, but neither of them figures to get much run in the game with Langham the clear No. 3 corner. The backup safeties are Macon Clark and Ton'Quez Ball. The linebackers continue to rotate with Kevin Henry and Marvin Moody out first and then Dorian Williams and Nick Anderson. The guys I just mentioned are the ones who will play against South Alabama, with extras getting in depending on the score and situation.
The closest battle on the offensive line might be Jaylon Miller and Trey Tuggle at right tackle. I assumed Miller was with the first unit--he has been there almost all preseason--but then saw him with the second unit at left tackle along with left guard Jackson Fort, Tim Shafter at center, Ben Knutson at right guard and Cameron Jackel at right tackle. The first unit did not go back in before I left to get home in time for the Zoom call. Depth is an issue on the offensive line, but the starters usually play almost every meaningful down anyway.
All four of the top running backs practiced, so Tulane is in good shape there. I still am not sure what the rotation will be at receiver or even who will start, but it likely will be some combination of the Watts twins, Jha'Quan Jackson, Jacob Robertson and Mykel Jones, with Jaetavian Toles in the mix as well. I don't know what happened to Ledford, who practiced Saturday, but if he and Sorrell Brown are available, they would get some downs along with Ryan Thompson. That position is going to be totally determined by performance once the season starts since none of the receivers is proven.
Justin Ibieta practiced today, so all three scholarship quarterbacks are available. Wide receiver Tyrek Presley, offensive lineman Matt Lombardi, tight end Will Wallace, cornerback Reggie Neely and running back Ygenio Booker were in attendance but did not have their helmets along with Kanyon Walker, who has not practiced in ages due to a hip issue. Angelo Anderson, Brandon Brown, Adonis Friloux, Kiland Harrison, Dyson, Armoni Dixon, Shi'Keem Laister, Dane Ledford, KJ Vault, Reggie Brown, Stephen Lewerenz, Caleb Thomas, Nik Hogan and Michael Remondet I did not see at all. Reggie Brown has a serious leg injury, but th others may be sidelined due to contact tracing or a positive test. Wide receiver Sorrell Brown did not practice in the portion I saw either, but he was in pads with his helmet on for the first time in a few weeks,. so he appears to be close. Jha'Quan Jackson was in a full-contact jersey for the first time in more than a week.
Depth could be an issue on the defensive line, where walk-on Noah Seiden continues to get second-team reps, but the Wave is in pretty good shape compared to teams across the country. Sincere Haynesworth continues to be the only true center practicing, but he will play every down Saturday barring injury.
The first-team offense line was the same as normal, with Josh Remetich continuing to get all the reps with the first unit at right guard.
The first-team defense had all of the usual suspects, too, although Willie Langham spent some time at both cornerback and nickelback, replacing Kyle Meyers, with Ajani Kerr going in at nickelback. The second-team defense had Carlos Hatcher, Albert Thomas, Eric Hicks and Noah Seiden, with Darius Hodges getting some reps in place of Seiden. Davon Wright was in individual drills, so I'm not sure why he was on the second unit for team drills. The cornerbacks were Kevaris Hall and Levi Williams, but neither of them figures to get much run in the game with Langham the clear No. 3 corner. The backup safeties are Macon Clark and Ton'Quez Ball. The linebackers continue to rotate with Kevin Henry and Marvin Moody out first and then Dorian Williams and Nick Anderson. The guys I just mentioned are the ones who will play against South Alabama, with extras getting in depending on the score and situation.
The closest battle on the offensive line might be Jaylon Miller and Trey Tuggle at right tackle. I assumed Miller was with the first unit--he has been there almost all preseason--but then saw him with the second unit at left tackle along with left guard Jackson Fort, Tim Shafter at center, Ben Knutson at right guard and Cameron Jackel at right tackle. The first unit did not go back in before I left to get home in time for the Zoom call. Depth is an issue on the offensive line, but the starters usually play almost every meaningful down anyway.
All four of the top running backs practiced, so Tulane is in good shape there. I still am not sure what the rotation will be at receiver or even who will start, but it likely will be some combination of the Watts twins, Jha'Quan Jackson, Jacob Robertson and Mykel Jones, with Jaetavian Toles in the mix as well. I don't know what happened to Ledford, who practiced Saturday, but if he and Sorrell Brown are available, they would get some downs along with Ryan Thompson. That position is going to be totally determined by performance once the season starts since none of the receivers is proven.
