The Rise of the Green Wave: Tulane Football’s Recruiting Revolution Since 2015

Patrick Harkness • May 2, 2026

Tulane Green Wave


The Rise of the Green Wave: Tulane Football’s Recruiting Revolution Since 2015


In the decade-plus since 2015, Tulane Green Wave football has undergone one of the most impressive transformations in Group of 5 history. Once an afterthought in national recruiting rankings, with classes often languishing outside the top 100–120 and producing just a handful of NFL draft picks per decade, the program has climbed into the upper echelon of mid-major recruiting.


Today, under the dual eras of Willie Fritz (2016–2023) and Jon Sumrall (2024–present), Tulane consistently lands top-75 high school classes, dominates the transfer portal, and funnels more talent to the NFL than ever before.


The result?


Sustained on-field success, including conference titles, bowl victories, and even a College Football Playoff appearance.


The Pre-2015 Baseline:

A Program in the Shadows


Before the Fritz era, Tulane recruiting was modest at best. Classes from 2015 and earlier featured mostly 2 and low 3-star prospects, with ESPN and 247Sports rankings rarely cracking the top 100 nationally.


High school talent from Louisiana and the Southeast often looked elsewhere (LSU, Alabama, etc.), and the program’s on-field struggles (frequent losing seasons) made it hard to sell.


NFL production was sporadic, isolated late-round picks or undrafted free agents, with very few players sticking in the league long-term.


Willie Fritz Lays the Foundation (2016–2023)


Willie Fritz arrived in 2016 and immediately shifted the recruiting philosophy: target high-character, high-motor 3-star developmental prospects who fit Tulane’s up-tempo, physical style.


Classes steadily improved, climbing into the top 80–100 range. Fritz emphasized in-state Louisiana talent while expanding into Texas, Florida, and beyond.


The payoff was dramatic on the field:


2022: 12–2 record, AAC championship, Cotton Bowl appearance.


Multiple bowl wins and top-25 rankings.


Recruiting mirrored this rise. By the early 2020s, Tulane was landing better 3-stars and occasional 4-stars. Stars like Tyjae Spears (RB, 3rd-round 2023 pick) and Dorian Williams (LB, 3rd-round 2023) emerged from these classes, proving Fritz’s “develop the 3-stars” mantra worked.


Jon Sumrall Accelerates the Momentum (2024-2025)


When Sumrall returned as head coach, he supercharged recruiting with modern NIL strategies, aggressive portal use, and a championship pedigree. The 2025 and especially 2026 classes mark a new high-water mark.


2026 Class:

Currently ranked #67–72 nationally (247Sports/On3 composite) and #2 in the AAC (behind only USF). It features 19 high school commits (15+ three-stars, and one four-star) plus 21 transfers, the highest-rated class in program history by average rating per recruit.


Standouts include elite IOL Tylan George (#54 nationally at position), DL Jordyn Crites, and several top Louisiana prospects.


For the first time, Tulane cracked the top 60 in some rankings.

This isn’t luck, it’s strategy and one of the best recruiting staffs around.


Sumrall retained core pieces, dominated the portal for immediate contributors, and sold Tulane’s upward trajectory (11–3 season, AAC title, CFP berth in 2025).


Local New Orleans and Louisiana recruits are staying home more often, while national talent is buying in.


Measurable Results:

Wins, Depth, and an NFL Pipeline


The recruiting upgrade has delivered tangible results:


On-Field:

From 3–9 pre-Fritz to consistent 10+ win seasons, multiple AAC titles, and playoff contention. The 2025 squad went 11–3 with a CFP appearance before falling to Ole Miss.


Talent Quality and Development:

Shift from mostly unranked or low-3-star rosters to consistent top-75 classes with higher average ratings and more positional versatility (elite OL, DL, skill players).


NFL Success:

Tulane now ranks among the top 50 FBS programs in active NFL players (20 as of mid-2025).


Recent draft highlights include:


2025: Caleb Ransaw (3rd round, Jaguars), Micah Robinson (7th round, Packers).


2024: Jha’Quan Jackson (6th round), Michael Pratt (7th round).


2023: Tyjae Spears (3rd round, Titans), Dorian Williams (3rd round, Bills).


Earlier standouts: Darnell Mooney (5th round, Bears, still active starter), plus others like Cameron Sample.


Tulane’s 2026 Pro Day featured 11 prospects, underscoring the pipeline’s strength. Ten of the 20+ active pros were mid-to-late round picks or UDFA’s who developed into contributors.


NIL Revolution:

Fear the Wave Collective Puts Tulane Ahead of the Curve. @FTWMediaGroup

 (Donate Today) https://

fearthewavecollective.com


A major catalyst in Tulane’s recruiting surge has been its pioneering approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and no entity has been more instrumental than the Fear the Wave (FTW) Collective.


Launched in late 2021/early 2022 by passionate Tulane alumni and fans (including Michael Arata, Jimmy Ordeneaux, and Kelly Comarda), FTW was one of the very first proactive NIL collectives at the Group of 5 level. @K_Comarda

 @jko68

 @MichaelArata

 


While many Power 4 programs were still scrambling to understand the new rules, Tulane’s fan-driven collective hit the ground running with a humble initial goal of just $10,000 in Year


1. They quickly evolved into a powerhouse: signing NIL deals with the entire 2022-23 football roster (plus men’s and women’s basketball), creating creative content like the Jimmy O Show podcast (where athletes earned appearance fees), and delivering real financial opportunities through community partnerships, local endorsements, and media activations.


FTW’s early-mover advantage was huge. It helped retain stars like quarterback Michael Pratt with custom NIL packages during the transfer portal window and gave Tulane a legitimate selling point when competing against bigger programs for high school recruits and transfers.


Fundraising exploded with on-field success:

After the 2025 AAC title and playoff run, the collective raised over $1.1 million in donations in a matter of weeks, nearly doubling its previous annual totals and projections showed continued growth into 2026.


By 2025, Tulane took the next leap. Athletics Director David Harris announced that the university’s Green Wave Club would assume direct control of NIL and revenue-sharing fundraising starting July 1, 2025, backed by major gifts, including a transformative $3.5 million donation from Don and Lora Peters to launch the Green Wave Talent Fund.


This in-house fund supports expanded NIL opportunities, facilities upgrades, and direct compensation, positioning Tulane ahead of many programs still reliant on fragmented third-party collectives.


Fear the Wave didn’t disappear, it evolved into a key media and content partner, continuing select NIL deals through subscriptions while producing behind-the-scenes content and fan experiences. The combination of early collective innovation plus institutional backing created a seamless, competitive NIL ecosystem that few mid-majors (and even some Power programs) could match.


Why It Matters and What’s Next:


Tulane’s recruiting evolution proves that smart coaching, strong recruiting staff, culture, development, and portal savvy can overcome traditional Power 4 disadvantages.


Fritz built the foundation of belief; Sumrall added speed and star power.


The program now attracts better high school talent while excelling at player development, turning three-stars into NFL contributors at a historic rate.


As the 2026 class (already the best in school history) enrolls the Green Wave is poised for sustained contention. For fans in New Orleans and beyond, it’s no longer “what if” it’s “watch us.”


The Wave is rolling higher than ever and watch out, the 2027 class is going to make a big splash!

Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X @RollDatWave

#RollWave

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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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