Tulane Football Blog

Everyone is looking ahead to our national TV game with Joey Freshwater and company, but for that game to reach the fever pitch promised, the Wave needs to take care of business week 1.

South Alabama is coming off a 10-3 season, the best in school history since joining the FBS. The Jaguars return 19 of 22 starters including a league-high 17 players on the 2023 Athlon Sports All-Sun Belt Team including 3 first team players. The jaguars boast impact players on both sides of the ball for a team that has even higher aspirations for 2023.

Offensive Players to Watch

 Carter Bradley (3,343 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions)

The Toledo transfer set school records in passing yards, completions and touchdowns last season. He passed for 250 or more yards seven different times on the season including 300 or more three times. The passing attack was stronglast year but the offensive line served as a question mark. Bradley was sacked 23 times last year and is not a threat with his legs. Applying a strong pass rush will be critical to keeping the Wave defense off the field.

La’Damian Webb (1,067 rushing yards, 15 TDs)

Much like Bradley, Webb came by way of the transfer portal. Starting his career at Florida State, the power 5 product was named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice last season. Webb rushed for 1,015 rushing yards, becoming the second player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season despite missing two games. Similar size and stature to Maurice Jones-Drew, Webb is a nightmare to bring down. Losing their top four tacklers from last season, it will be important to see how Tulane stops the run week 1.

Defensive Players to Watch

Yam Banks (6 interceptions, 11 PBUs)

A first team All-Sun Belt defensive back and an honorable mention All-American per Phil Steele, second team by PFF and third team by CFN at defensive back. Banks led the jaguars with six interceptions including one in R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl to conclude the season. Banks has started all 17 games for the Jaguars the last two seasons at the “Husky” position, the Jaguars’ nickel safety. Expect him to be a factor in the run and pass game, playing the hybrid safety role.

Jaden Voisin(80 Tackles, 6 TFLs)

Voisin was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt last season and named All-Conference by Phil Steele. He forced one fumble, recovered one fumble, and intercepted a pair of passes. Voisin is a monster in the run game and will cause problems all game long for the new look wave run game.

With two high octane offenses matching up, this one promises to be a track meet from the get go. Expect Tulane to attack in the passing game and pile up the points.

Score Prediction 35-24 Green Wave