With Tulane's preseason practice beginning Friday, here is the first of a two-part position-by-position preview. I am leaving out the walk-ons because they have not proven they will be factors for playing time.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Gone: De'Andre Williams, Davon Wright
Returning: Jeffery Johnson, Eric Hicks, Adonis Friloux, Alfred Thomas, Nik Hogan, Colby Orgeron
Analysis: Tulane has a solid three-man rotation in Johnson, who briefly entered the transfer portal but changed his mind and looked to be in the best shape of his career at meet-the-team night last week, Hicks, who outplayed Williams last year while taking his starting spot, and Friloux, who showed plenty of potential as a freshman. The question will be if the oft-injured Thomas can stay healthy and be in shape to give the defense the necessary fourth guy at a position that requires frequent substitution. Memphis transfer Jojo (formerly Joseph) Dorceus, who started at NT for the Tigers' bowl game last year, could play here, too, but the need is greater at end, where he spent almost all of his time until that game, so I have him penciled in there. We shall see. Seiden also got time inside last year, but his size says end and Navy and Army, a pair of triple option teams against whom he started inside because of his discipline and attention to detail, are not on the schedule.
Positive sign if: Friloux flashed early and Thomas misses no time in the preseason.
Cause for concern if: Johnson gets hurt. As an immovable presence at nose tackle, he is too valuable to lose.
DEFENSIVE END
Gone: Patrick Johnson, Cam Sample (I know Johnson is technically an OLB or, as Tulane calls it, a joker, but for these purposes I am considering that position an end)
Returning: Angelo Anderson,, Darius Hodges, Carlos Hatcher, Armoni Dixon, Noah Taliancich, Elijah Champaigne, Michael Lunz, Torri Singletary
New: Jojo Dorceus, Parker Peterson
Analysis: There are plenty of bodies here but not many proven difference-makers. Angelo Anderson, who started in place of the absent Johnson in the bowl game, figures to be a star at some point, but is he ready to match Johnson's production this season? Possibly. Darius Hodges started for Sample in the bowl game, but the end spot is wide open and may be where Dorceus starts. His body type (5-11, 265) is not ideal for the position, but he started all of his games there for Memphis last year until the last one after starting at something called Fox in a different scheme in 2019 (where he was more productive than last year). Hatcher will be in the picture, too. He has his career high of five tackles against UCF before getting hurt and missing the last five games of the regular season. Taliancich was hard to evaluate because he missed almost all of practice with an injury. Lunz and Champaigne participated in spring drills, with Lunz the more active of the two. Regardless of who starts, there will be a drop-off from Sample's superb performance from 2020. Pro Football Focus rated him the most valuable lineman in college football.
Positive sign if: Dorceus is an immediate fit wherever he lines up.
Cause for concern if: No one steps up at Sample's spot.
LINEBACKER
Gone: Matthew Hightower
Returning: Marvin Moody, Nick Anderson, Dorian Williams, Kevin Henry, Jesus Machado
New: Mandel Eugene, Corey Platt Jr., Keith Cooper Jr.
Analysis: An embarrassment of riches. Although losing Johnson and Sample hurts, the linebackers can carry this defense a long way. Williams, who led the team in tackles and is the preseason AAC defensive player of the year from at least one outlet., and Nick Anderson, the second-leading tackler, did not even start a year ago, and the guys in front of them, Moody and Henry, are back, too. Machado was impressive in the spring, too. Finding time for all five guys at two spots will be difficult. but with Williams and Anderson leading the way, the Green Wave will have playmakers on the field at all times at this position. The three freshmen will have a year to develop before any of them are needed.
Positive sign if: It's all good at this position. The only potential negative would be injuries.
Cause for concern if: It's hard to imagine there being a cause for concern here. The three freshman will have a year to develop.
CORNERBACK
Gone: Willie Langham
Returning: Jaylon Monroe, Lance Robinson, Ajani Kerr, Kevaris Hall, Kiland Harrison, Levi Williams Reggie Neely
New: D.J. Douglas, Jadan Canady, Kolby Phillips, Bailey Despanie
Analysis: With Kerr returning for an extra COVID-granted grant year to play nickelback (presumably), Robinson, a transfer from Kansas State, and Monroe, another player taking the extra COVID year, are the likely starters after working with the first team in the spring. Kevaris Hall showed potential last season, beginning with his game-turning interception return against Southern Miss. Douglas, who may begin drills at nickel, is intriguing as a walk-on at Alabama who received a scholarship to come to Tulane. The other guys will try to get in the mix at what was a weak position last season, particularly in obvious passing situations.
Positive sign if: Monroe plays with confidence and Robinson lives up to high lofty high school ratings.
Cause for concern if: The wide receivers win plenty of jump balls in the practice. Failing to make plays when they were in position hurt the cornerbacks a year ago.
SAFETY
Gone: Chase Kuerschen
Returning: Larry Brooks, Cornelius Dyson, Derrion Rakestraw, Macon Clark, Shi'Keem Laister, Kanyon Walker
New: No one.
Analysis: With Clark competing with Kerr for the starting nickel spot, look for Rakestraw and Dyson to battle at free safety opposite Brooks at strong safety. The edge goes to Rakestraw because of his experience, but Dyson, who was mostly effective as a true freshman despite playing the position for the first time in his life, will have a significant role. ulane needs much better play in critical situations this year after losing multiple games in 2020 due to secondary mistakes, and if Rakestraw builds on a solid spring, the talent is there. Clark could be a strong factor, too, depending on his status at nickel. He had a strong spring and introduced himself as a safety at the meet-the-team night last week.
Positive sign if: The safeties make plays in the preseason rather than giving up big ones.
Cause for concern if: Rakestraw, still new to the program, and Dyson, still learning the position, look lost at times against Michael Pratt and company.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Gone: De'Andre Williams, Davon Wright
Returning: Jeffery Johnson, Eric Hicks, Adonis Friloux, Alfred Thomas, Nik Hogan, Colby Orgeron
Analysis: Tulane has a solid three-man rotation in Johnson, who briefly entered the transfer portal but changed his mind and looked to be in the best shape of his career at meet-the-team night last week, Hicks, who outplayed Williams last year while taking his starting spot, and Friloux, who showed plenty of potential as a freshman. The question will be if the oft-injured Thomas can stay healthy and be in shape to give the defense the necessary fourth guy at a position that requires frequent substitution. Memphis transfer Jojo (formerly Joseph) Dorceus, who started at NT for the Tigers' bowl game last year, could play here, too, but the need is greater at end, where he spent almost all of his time until that game, so I have him penciled in there. We shall see. Seiden also got time inside last year, but his size says end and Navy and Army, a pair of triple option teams against whom he started inside because of his discipline and attention to detail, are not on the schedule.
Positive sign if: Friloux flashed early and Thomas misses no time in the preseason.
Cause for concern if: Johnson gets hurt. As an immovable presence at nose tackle, he is too valuable to lose.
DEFENSIVE END
Gone: Patrick Johnson, Cam Sample (I know Johnson is technically an OLB or, as Tulane calls it, a joker, but for these purposes I am considering that position an end)
Returning: Angelo Anderson,, Darius Hodges, Carlos Hatcher, Armoni Dixon, Noah Taliancich, Elijah Champaigne, Michael Lunz, Torri Singletary
New: Jojo Dorceus, Parker Peterson
Analysis: There are plenty of bodies here but not many proven difference-makers. Angelo Anderson, who started in place of the absent Johnson in the bowl game, figures to be a star at some point, but is he ready to match Johnson's production this season? Possibly. Darius Hodges started for Sample in the bowl game, but the end spot is wide open and may be where Dorceus starts. His body type (5-11, 265) is not ideal for the position, but he started all of his games there for Memphis last year until the last one after starting at something called Fox in a different scheme in 2019 (where he was more productive than last year). Hatcher will be in the picture, too. He has his career high of five tackles against UCF before getting hurt and missing the last five games of the regular season. Taliancich was hard to evaluate because he missed almost all of practice with an injury. Lunz and Champaigne participated in spring drills, with Lunz the more active of the two. Regardless of who starts, there will be a drop-off from Sample's superb performance from 2020. Pro Football Focus rated him the most valuable lineman in college football.
Positive sign if: Dorceus is an immediate fit wherever he lines up.
Cause for concern if: No one steps up at Sample's spot.
LINEBACKER
Gone: Matthew Hightower
Returning: Marvin Moody, Nick Anderson, Dorian Williams, Kevin Henry, Jesus Machado
New: Mandel Eugene, Corey Platt Jr., Keith Cooper Jr.
Analysis: An embarrassment of riches. Although losing Johnson and Sample hurts, the linebackers can carry this defense a long way. Williams, who led the team in tackles and is the preseason AAC defensive player of the year from at least one outlet., and Nick Anderson, the second-leading tackler, did not even start a year ago, and the guys in front of them, Moody and Henry, are back, too. Machado was impressive in the spring, too. Finding time for all five guys at two spots will be difficult. but with Williams and Anderson leading the way, the Green Wave will have playmakers on the field at all times at this position. The three freshmen will have a year to develop before any of them are needed.
Positive sign if: It's all good at this position. The only potential negative would be injuries.
Cause for concern if: It's hard to imagine there being a cause for concern here. The three freshman will have a year to develop.
CORNERBACK
Gone: Willie Langham
Returning: Jaylon Monroe, Lance Robinson, Ajani Kerr, Kevaris Hall, Kiland Harrison, Levi Williams Reggie Neely
New: D.J. Douglas, Jadan Canady, Kolby Phillips, Bailey Despanie
Analysis: With Kerr returning for an extra COVID-granted grant year to play nickelback (presumably), Robinson, a transfer from Kansas State, and Monroe, another player taking the extra COVID year, are the likely starters after working with the first team in the spring. Kevaris Hall showed potential last season, beginning with his game-turning interception return against Southern Miss. Douglas, who may begin drills at nickel, is intriguing as a walk-on at Alabama who received a scholarship to come to Tulane. The other guys will try to get in the mix at what was a weak position last season, particularly in obvious passing situations.
Positive sign if: Monroe plays with confidence and Robinson lives up to high lofty high school ratings.
Cause for concern if: The wide receivers win plenty of jump balls in the practice. Failing to make plays when they were in position hurt the cornerbacks a year ago.
SAFETY
Gone: Chase Kuerschen
Returning: Larry Brooks, Cornelius Dyson, Derrion Rakestraw, Macon Clark, Shi'Keem Laister, Kanyon Walker
New: No one.
Analysis: With Clark competing with Kerr for the starting nickel spot, look for Rakestraw and Dyson to battle at free safety opposite Brooks at strong safety. The edge goes to Rakestraw because of his experience, but Dyson, who was mostly effective as a true freshman despite playing the position for the first time in his life, will have a significant role. ulane needs much better play in critical situations this year after losing multiple games in 2020 due to secondary mistakes, and if Rakestraw builds on a solid spring, the talent is there. Clark could be a strong factor, too, depending on his status at nickel. He had a strong spring and introduced himself as a safety at the meet-the-team night last week.
Positive sign if: The safeties make plays in the preseason rather than giving up big ones.
Cause for concern if: Rakestraw, still new to the program, and Dyson, still learning the position, look lost at times against Michael Pratt and company.