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.
QUARTERBACK
1) Keon Howard
2) Michael Pratt
3) Justin Ibieta
Comment: Howard is the clear starter. His performance in the first few games will determine if he can hold on to the job, but I've seen nothing to indicate he will not be the starter all year. The race is closer for the second spot, although Pratt's experience and higher competition level in high school should be the difference-maker for now.
RUNNING BACK
1) Tyjae Spears
2) Amare Jones
3) Cameron Carroll
4) Stephon Huderson
Comment: Spears is going to rush for 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. He's that good, even on a team with a ton of depth at his position. Jones will start at the slotback position but will be the feature back at times, too. Carroll has looked good in camp.
SLOTBACK
1) Amare Jones
2) Ygenio Booker
Comment: Jones will start either here or as an extra receiver in the opening game. He is too valuable to keep off the field even though Spears is the Wave's best running back. Booker, when healthy, is a dangerous receiver.
WIDE RECEIVER
1) Duece Watts, Jha'Quan Jackson and Mykel Jones
2) Sorrell Brown, Jacob Robertson and Phat Watts
3) Dane Ledford, Tyrek Presley and Jaetavian Toles
Comment: In my mind, the starters are clear cut. Watts has been very good in camp. Jackson is dangerous after the catch and runs good routes. Jones has not shown a whole lot when I'm watching, but the coaches love him and he has the ability. Toles is running with the third team but should move up based on his ability and experience. Ledford has made more plays than any of the other backups in practice, but he has to prove he can get open and make plays in games. Phat Watts has been inconsistent, but he is fast.
TIGHT END
1) Tyrick James
2) Will Wallace
3) Christian Daniels
Comment: James, who caught 19 passes a year ago, will be a significant factor, but I'm not sure how heavily the tight ends will be involved in the passing game. Wallace caught four passes a year ago. Daniels is intriguing because of his speed but needs to be more consistent.
LEFT TACKLE
1) Joey Claybrook
2) Nik Hogan
3) Michael Lombardi
Comment: Claybrook will play every meaningful snap. Timothy Shafter has spent some time as a backup on this side, too, but usually is on the right side. Lombardi has been at both tackle spots, too.
LEFT GUARD
1) Corey Dublin
2) Stephen Lewerenz
3) Rashad Green
Comment: Dublin will play every down. Lewerenz and Green are battling for the top backup spot.
CENTER
1) Sincere Haynesworth
2) Caleb Thomas
3) Michael Remondet
Comment: The gap between 1 and 2 is gargantuan, but it won't matter unless Haynesworth gets hurt.
RIGHT GUARD
1) Ben Knutson
2) Cameron Jackel
3) Josh Remetich
Comment: Knutson has been No. 1 almost every day, but Jackel, who ended spring as the first-team right tackle, is in the running after moving to guard recently. He is in his fourth year and Willie Fritz said in the spring of 2019 he saw him as a future starter. Green could get in the picture, too, moving from the left side.
RIGHT TACKLE
1) Jaylen Miller
2) Trey Tuggle
3) Timothy Shafter
Comment: Miller will start, but Tuggle is pushing him. The right side of the line figures to rotate early in the year to find out who plays best. Joseph Solomon has gotten reps at both tackle spots as a third teamer.
QUARTERBACK
1) Keon Howard
2) Michael Pratt
3) Justin Ibieta
Comment: Howard is the clear starter. His performance in the first few games will determine if he can hold on to the job, but I've seen nothing to indicate he will not be the starter all year. The race is closer for the second spot, although Pratt's experience and higher competition level in high school should be the difference-maker for now.
RUNNING BACK
1) Tyjae Spears
2) Amare Jones
3) Cameron Carroll
4) Stephon Huderson
Comment: Spears is going to rush for 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. He's that good, even on a team with a ton of depth at his position. Jones will start at the slotback position but will be the feature back at times, too. Carroll has looked good in camp.
SLOTBACK
1) Amare Jones
2) Ygenio Booker
Comment: Jones will start either here or as an extra receiver in the opening game. He is too valuable to keep off the field even though Spears is the Wave's best running back. Booker, when healthy, is a dangerous receiver.
WIDE RECEIVER
1) Duece Watts, Jha'Quan Jackson and Mykel Jones
2) Sorrell Brown, Jacob Robertson and Phat Watts
3) Dane Ledford, Tyrek Presley and Jaetavian Toles
Comment: In my mind, the starters are clear cut. Watts has been very good in camp. Jackson is dangerous after the catch and runs good routes. Jones has not shown a whole lot when I'm watching, but the coaches love him and he has the ability. Toles is running with the third team but should move up based on his ability and experience. Ledford has made more plays than any of the other backups in practice, but he has to prove he can get open and make plays in games. Phat Watts has been inconsistent, but he is fast.
TIGHT END
1) Tyrick James
2) Will Wallace
3) Christian Daniels
Comment: James, who caught 19 passes a year ago, will be a significant factor, but I'm not sure how heavily the tight ends will be involved in the passing game. Wallace caught four passes a year ago. Daniels is intriguing because of his speed but needs to be more consistent.
LEFT TACKLE
1) Joey Claybrook
2) Nik Hogan
3) Michael Lombardi
Comment: Claybrook will play every meaningful snap. Timothy Shafter has spent some time as a backup on this side, too, but usually is on the right side. Lombardi has been at both tackle spots, too.
LEFT GUARD
1) Corey Dublin
2) Stephen Lewerenz
3) Rashad Green
Comment: Dublin will play every down. Lewerenz and Green are battling for the top backup spot.
CENTER
1) Sincere Haynesworth
2) Caleb Thomas
3) Michael Remondet
Comment: The gap between 1 and 2 is gargantuan, but it won't matter unless Haynesworth gets hurt.
RIGHT GUARD
1) Ben Knutson
2) Cameron Jackel
3) Josh Remetich
Comment: Knutson has been No. 1 almost every day, but Jackel, who ended spring as the first-team right tackle, is in the running after moving to guard recently. He is in his fourth year and Willie Fritz said in the spring of 2019 he saw him as a future starter. Green could get in the picture, too, moving from the left side.
RIGHT TACKLE
1) Jaylen Miller
2) Trey Tuggle
3) Timothy Shafter
Comment: Miller will start, but Tuggle is pushing him. The right side of the line figures to rotate early in the year to find out who plays best. Joseph Solomon has gotten reps at both tackle spots as a third teamer.
