I apologize for not having the usual full report on the first day of practice, but the gates were locked when I got there, it took a while before someone let me in and I had a meeting with my quasi-boss at The Advocate for the 45 minutes I was there I will have my normal report tomorrow with updates on each position.
This much I know. Tulane has eight graduated seniors who elected to return for an extra year as permitted because of COVID-19 difficulties: Corey Dublin,Jaetavian Toles, Marvin Moody, Kevin Henry, Jaylon Monroe, Merek Glover, Ajani Kerr and Mykel Jones. The first six I reported a long time ago, but the last two were ones WaveON noted when the spring rosters were released. I never asked about them because they were not significant contributors in 2020, but Kerr should provide valuable depth at the nickel position just like last season and Jones, who is not available for spring as he recuperates from knee surgery, will get another chance to live up to his high rating when he came out of high school and signed with Oklahoma. He did not show much last year.
Of the four graduate transfers new to the program, Derrion Rakestraw did not practice today as he recovers from injury. Cyron Sutton, who is wearing Amare Jones' old jersey No. 11, sort of looked like him the way he moved. He teamed up with Michael Pratt for the play of the day on a long touchdown pass, running under a perfectly thrown ball. In the department of far-too-early pronouncements, I believe Sutton will be an impact player. He was unknown coming out of a poo program at Lake Area Tech High in New Orleans but was incredibly productive at McNeese State and has the skill set to make the jump up to the FBS level. Cornerback Lance Robinson and running back Devin Brumfield, who is wearing Corey Dauphine's old jersey No. 6, also practiced today.
I did not expect to see Ygenio Booker practicing today, but he was out there, so whatever injury he had at the end of the season is healed. His presence gives Tulane three scholarship backs for the spring along with Brumfield and Cameron Carroll since Tyjae Spears is not ready to return (although Willie Fritz said he was ahead of schedule and definitely would be back for the start of the season in six months). Having only two would have been problematic because Tulane does not have any listed walk-ons at running back on the spring roster, either, although I think Josh Coltrin got some reps there as a converted walk-on QB in the fall.
The second-best play of the day came on a pass from backup quarterback Justin Ibieta to Duece Watts for another long touchdown. Watts is headed for a big year if he stays healthy.
The third quarterback taking reps today was walk-on Cameron Dartez, a redshirt freshman from Catholic High in Baton Rouge.I did not see Drew Harris, the other walk-on QB.
By the way, this might be common knowledge, but I had not heard it until today. Jack Curtis, who was fired as defensive coordinator at the end of the regular season, has hooked on with Liberty as a DBs coach.
Fritz, Sincere Haynesworth, Nick Anderson and Michael Pratt spoke in the Zoom calls after practice. I will transcribe Fritz below and get to the rest later.
Fritz had this anecdote midway through his question-and-answer session about his players' lack of knowledge of history: "I said to the guys out there we had to matriculate the ball down the field, and I asked them who said it and nobody out there had any idea who said it. I gave them the hint the guy was the head coach of the Chiefs, my hometown, and the coach of the Saints, who actually retired him on the North Shore, Hank Stram. One of the players said are you talking about Hank Shrimp? Who's that? I've never heard of him before. I'm trying to teach these guys. Where did the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl? Right over there (at old Tulane Stadium). Those pictures are up all over Kansas City, him and Lenny Dawson on the sideline."
This much I know. Tulane has eight graduated seniors who elected to return for an extra year as permitted because of COVID-19 difficulties: Corey Dublin,Jaetavian Toles, Marvin Moody, Kevin Henry, Jaylon Monroe, Merek Glover, Ajani Kerr and Mykel Jones. The first six I reported a long time ago, but the last two were ones WaveON noted when the spring rosters were released. I never asked about them because they were not significant contributors in 2020, but Kerr should provide valuable depth at the nickel position just like last season and Jones, who is not available for spring as he recuperates from knee surgery, will get another chance to live up to his high rating when he came out of high school and signed with Oklahoma. He did not show much last year.
Of the four graduate transfers new to the program, Derrion Rakestraw did not practice today as he recovers from injury. Cyron Sutton, who is wearing Amare Jones' old jersey No. 11, sort of looked like him the way he moved. He teamed up with Michael Pratt for the play of the day on a long touchdown pass, running under a perfectly thrown ball. In the department of far-too-early pronouncements, I believe Sutton will be an impact player. He was unknown coming out of a poo program at Lake Area Tech High in New Orleans but was incredibly productive at McNeese State and has the skill set to make the jump up to the FBS level. Cornerback Lance Robinson and running back Devin Brumfield, who is wearing Corey Dauphine's old jersey No. 6, also practiced today.
I did not expect to see Ygenio Booker practicing today, but he was out there, so whatever injury he had at the end of the season is healed. His presence gives Tulane three scholarship backs for the spring along with Brumfield and Cameron Carroll since Tyjae Spears is not ready to return (although Willie Fritz said he was ahead of schedule and definitely would be back for the start of the season in six months). Having only two would have been problematic because Tulane does not have any listed walk-ons at running back on the spring roster, either, although I think Josh Coltrin got some reps there as a converted walk-on QB in the fall.
The second-best play of the day came on a pass from backup quarterback Justin Ibieta to Duece Watts for another long touchdown. Watts is headed for a big year if he stays healthy.
The third quarterback taking reps today was walk-on Cameron Dartez, a redshirt freshman from Catholic High in Baton Rouge.I did not see Drew Harris, the other walk-on QB.
By the way, this might be common knowledge, but I had not heard it until today. Jack Curtis, who was fired as defensive coordinator at the end of the regular season, has hooked on with Liberty as a DBs coach.
Fritz, Sincere Haynesworth, Nick Anderson and Michael Pratt spoke in the Zoom calls after practice. I will transcribe Fritz below and get to the rest later.
Fritz had this anecdote midway through his question-and-answer session about his players' lack of knowledge of history: "I said to the guys out there we had to matriculate the ball down the field, and I asked them who said it and nobody out there had any idea who said it. I gave them the hint the guy was the head coach of the Chiefs, my hometown, and the coach of the Saints, who actually retired him on the North Shore, Hank Stram. One of the players said are you talking about Hank Shrimp? Who's that? I've never heard of him before. I'm trying to teach these guys. Where did the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl? Right over there (at old Tulane Stadium). Those pictures are up all over Kansas City, him and Lenny Dawson on the sideline."