This is from what I've observed and heard in preseason drills. Tulane has not released anything official and likely won't until the Tuesday before the opener against South Alabama.
DEFENSIVE END
1) Cameron Sample
2) Carlos Hatcher
Comment: Sample has been outstanding in camp. He is primed for a huge year. Hatcher is a solid backup. Alfred Thomas has been hurt. He will be in the mix if healthy.
NOSE TACKLE
1) Jeffery Johnson
2) Eric Hicks
3) Brandon Brown
Comment: All three will play early at a position that requires rotation. This is a big year for Johnson, who dropped off last year due to injury after a fast start.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1) De'Andre Williams
2) Adonis Friloux
Comment: Friloux has looked good in camp. Williams was Tulane's most productive lineman last year. Davon Wright has been hurt. He will be in the mix if healthy.
JOKER
1) Patrick Johnson
2) Angelo Anderson
3) Darius Hodges
Comment: Healthy now, Johnson is going to make a huge impact. Anderson and Hodges provide quality depth.
LINEBACKER
1) Kevin Henry and Marvin Moody
2) Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams
3) Jesus Machado and Matthew Hightower
Comment: The top four have a chance to be Tulane's best linebacker group in the Fritz era. They hav not proven it yet, but they have the ability. Dorian Williams's cover skills are ultra impressive, and he does not even start.
CORNERBACK
1) Kyle Meyers and Jaylon Monroe
2) Kiland Harrison and Kevaris Hall
Comment: Meyers and Harrison usually are on the left. Monroe and Hall usually are on the right. The starters have been very good and are clearly No. 1. Harrison and Hall are talented but unproven.
NICKELBACK
1) Willie Langham
2) Ajani Kerr
Comment: Langham and Kerr figure to split time. Both have looked pretty good in camp. Watch the versatile Kerr as a blitzer.
STRONG SAFETY
1) Larry Brooks
2) Shi'Leem Laisterr
3) Ton'Quez Ball
Comment: Brooks is headed for a big year. Ball has made a surprising amount of plays recently.
FREE SAFETY
1) Chase Kuerschen
2) Cornelius Dyson
3) Macon Clark
Comment: Kuerschen is an excellent tackler but not ideal as a last line of defense against big passes. Dyson is an all-around talent but unproven in games. Clark has not had a strong camp.
Note: I'm not sure about Dyson's and Laister's spots. They could be reversed at free and strong safety.
DEFENSIVE END
1) Cameron Sample
2) Carlos Hatcher
Comment: Sample has been outstanding in camp. He is primed for a huge year. Hatcher is a solid backup. Alfred Thomas has been hurt. He will be in the mix if healthy.
NOSE TACKLE
1) Jeffery Johnson
2) Eric Hicks
3) Brandon Brown
Comment: All three will play early at a position that requires rotation. This is a big year for Johnson, who dropped off last year due to injury after a fast start.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1) De'Andre Williams
2) Adonis Friloux
Comment: Friloux has looked good in camp. Williams was Tulane's most productive lineman last year. Davon Wright has been hurt. He will be in the mix if healthy.
JOKER
1) Patrick Johnson
2) Angelo Anderson
3) Darius Hodges
Comment: Healthy now, Johnson is going to make a huge impact. Anderson and Hodges provide quality depth.
LINEBACKER
1) Kevin Henry and Marvin Moody
2) Nick Anderson and Dorian Williams
3) Jesus Machado and Matthew Hightower
Comment: The top four have a chance to be Tulane's best linebacker group in the Fritz era. They hav not proven it yet, but they have the ability. Dorian Williams's cover skills are ultra impressive, and he does not even start.
CORNERBACK
1) Kyle Meyers and Jaylon Monroe
2) Kiland Harrison and Kevaris Hall
Comment: Meyers and Harrison usually are on the left. Monroe and Hall usually are on the right. The starters have been very good and are clearly No. 1. Harrison and Hall are talented but unproven.
NICKELBACK
1) Willie Langham
2) Ajani Kerr
Comment: Langham and Kerr figure to split time. Both have looked pretty good in camp. Watch the versatile Kerr as a blitzer.
STRONG SAFETY
1) Larry Brooks
2) Shi'Leem Laisterr
3) Ton'Quez Ball
Comment: Brooks is headed for a big year. Ball has made a surprising amount of plays recently.
FREE SAFETY
1) Chase Kuerschen
2) Cornelius Dyson
3) Macon Clark
Comment: Kuerschen is an excellent tackler but not ideal as a last line of defense against big passes. Dyson is an all-around talent but unproven in games. Clark has not had a strong camp.
Note: I'm not sure about Dyson's and Laister's spots. They could be reversed at free and strong safety.
