The Kneaux Mag: April 2023 Edition

David Rainey • April 1, 2023

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           New Orleans, as a city, is unique.  The food, the culture, the music, and the people are unmatched across the globe.  The distinct qualities that make New Orleans one-of-a-kind can be seen and felt throughout the city, and if you’ve ever been to a sporting event in New Orleans, you know that the city’s culture flows through every arena and stadium.  One thing about New Orleans sport’s culture that I have always loved, is the way we as fans embrace our players.  I say “our players” because that is exactly what it feels like when someone plays for our teams.  It feels as if they are representing US and representing OUR city.  If you are from New Orleans then you know the old saying, “If you love New Orleans, it will love you back,” and the realness of that can be felt in the love we have for our athletes.   

           

            Now, most athletes that represent our city come from around the country through drafts or free agency, and they buy in to our culture.  In turn, we as fans embrace these players and see them as one of our own.  However, every now and then we get to experience a homegrown talent put on for his hometown.  Obviously, this is an incredible story to root for as a fan.  But when that hometown player accomplishes a feat for the city and team that no one has ever experienced before, that is how legends are born.


            In 2022, the Tulane Green Wave took college football by surprise.  Having only 3 winning seasons out of its last 10, no one, not even the most die-hard Green Wave fans expected the team to have more than an average year.  Little did we know, we would all be in for one helluva ride. 


            Tulane football in 2022 had many stars: Dorian Williams, Deuce Watts, and Michael Pratt to name a few.  But make no mistake about it, Willie Fritz’s Green Wave in 2022 were carried on the back of one man, Tyjae Spears. 


            The Ponchatoula native began his ascent to Louisiana legend at Ponchatoula High School where in his senior year his dual-threat ability out of the backfield was on full display.  Spears rushed for 920 yards, racked up 880 yards receiving and found his way to the endzone 18 times.  He would commit to Tulane and be labeled as a 3-star recruit, which four years later seems laughable. 


            Fast forward to the 2022 season.  Tyjae had already had a solid career at Tulane to this point, but he was about to accomplish would launch his stardom into another universe.  As I mentioned earlier, when the hometown kid accomplishes the unimaginable for the hometown team, that is how legends are born.  Without a doubt, Tyjae Spears is a Louisiana legend.  During the 2022 season, Tyjae’s individual performance was the best of his career as he rushed for 1581 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 256 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air.  However, it was the accomplishments he led his team to that led to us here at The Kneaux choosing him as the cover athlete for the inaugural edition of The Kneaux Magazine. 


            Tyjae led the Green Wave to a 12-2 season and their first conference title since 1998.  The team’s regular season performance earned them a spot in the Cotton Bowl against the USC Trojans.  Just as it was before the season began, no one gave Tulane a chance.  The difference this time around was that the fan base believed.  We believed this team could shock the world, and we believed in large part because we had number 22. 


            If somehow you haven’t heard, or still can’t believe it (trust me, I understand), THE TULANE GREEN WAVE WON THE COTTON BOWL.  The Green Wave went head-to-head with the Trojans, and Tyjae battled with the best quarterback in college football Caleb Williams.  What Tyjae Spears accomplished during the regular season and conference championship cemented his legacy, but his Cotton Bowl performance elevated him to superstardom and legend status.  Spears looked like the best player on the field that day as he shredded the Trojan defense for 205 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.  The Louisiana kid showed out for Louisiana.


            Spears’ 2022 season and Cotton Bowl performance has captured the attention of NFL scouts all over the league.  He was the star of the Senior Bowl and representatives from all 32 teams were present at Tulane’s Pro Day.  Not since fellow running back Matt Forte can I remember a Tulane player having this much hype.  Not only does he have the hype, but he’s also captured the hearts of Saints’ fans.  Scroll through Twitter and you’ll see hundreds of screen shots of fan mock drafts that have Tyjae Spears going to the Saints.  If you ran a poll today and asked which player would fans most want the Saints to draft, Tyjae Spears may be the unanimous choice. 


            None of us know how Tyjae’s NFL career will play out (hopefully it plays out in black and gold), but we know what he’s done up to this point.  He’s made history.  He put Tulane Football on the map.  The homegrown kid became a hometown legend.  Whether it be for the Saints or any of the other 31 teams, we wish him all the success in the world.  We are proud to call Tyjae Spears our inaugural The Kneaux Magazine cover athlete.



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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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