The Tulane Green Wave haven’t had more than two selections in a given NFL Draft since the 1982 cycle. Could Tulane’s 2024 NFL Draft class bring newfound success in that regard? The Green Wave might not have two Day 2 picks like they had in 2023, but they have the volume to demand attention.
Tulane Green Wave NFL Draft Prospects
Tulane’s 2022 campaign under Willie Fritz netted them a 12-2 overall record, an AAC championship victory, and a Cotton Bowl win over USC.
It was Tulane’s most successful season since 1998, and it might be the Green Wave’s most fondly-remembered year for a long time. But that doesn’t mean the success isn’t sustainable year-over-year.
The Green Wave did lose a number of key contributors, to be sure. Dorian Williams and Tyjae Spears were both drafted in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Other veterans like receivers Duece Watts and Shae Wyatt, linebacker Nick Anderson, and safety Macon Clark also entered the draft pool, while cornerback Jadon Canady transferred to Ole Miss.
In spite of the losses, key returners like Michael Pratt should allow Tulane to weather the storm. And Pratt has four of five starters returning on the offensive line — including two first-team all-conference performers — with a new left tackle coming in from LSU.
Michael Pratt, QB
Tulane has a contender to be the best Group of Five QB prospect in Michael Pratt. Pratt has been the Green Wave’s starter since 2020, and he’s been an incredibly efficient passer from the jump.
Across three years, he’s completed 544 of 920 attempts for 7,196 yards, 68 touchdowns, and just 21 picks. His accuracy can still improve, but the 6’3″, 220-pound signal-caller is a tough competitor and a good decision-maker who also brings above-average baseline athleticism and arm talent.
Shedro Louis, RB
In the wake of Tyjae Spears’ NFL Draft departure, the arrival of Liberty transfer Shedro Louis at Tulane is particularly intriguing. Louis is only 5’8″, 170 pounds, but he brings similar dynamic ability and heightened versatility from his time with the Flames.
He started his career as a wide receiver and a dynamic return specialist before rushing for 529 yards and eight scores in 2022. Louis has speed, agility, and alignment flexibility — all modern staples.
Jha’Quan Jackson, WR
Tulane’s receiving corps saw more turnover than most units in the 2023 offseason, which means Jha’Quan Jackson will be under a bit more pressure to take on increased volume.
The 5’11”, 185-pound pass catcher has stacked up 90 total touches for 1,369 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage across four seasons. He’s a proven RAC threat out of the slot with his speed and acceleration but needs to hone his skills as an independent separator.
Cameron Wire, OT
Cameron Wire had some four-star recruit hype coming out of high school and had a respectable career with the LSU Tigers. In five years, he played in 26 games, starting 11 — nine at left tackle, one at right tackle, and one at right guard.
He has versatility and size at 6’6″, 305 pounds, but he’s never been able to prove himself as a consistent starter. He’ll get that chance in 2023 after transferring from LSU to Tulane.
Prince Pines, G
One of the biggest Group of Five sleepers in the 2024 NFL Draft — both literally and figuratively — is Prince Pines, the incumbent starter at left guard for the Tulane Green Wave. The 6’5″, 335-pound Pines is a massive blocker whose strong performance earned him first-team All-AAC honors in 2022.
Pines is predictably incredibly powerful and physical, but he brings eye-catching explosiveness off the snap for his size and can handle complex protections.
Sincere Haynesworth, C
Alongside Pines, center Sincere Haynesworth also took home first-team All-AAC honors in 2022. The 6’1″, 310-pound Haynesworth could end up being a candidate to be selected in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
As is often the case with centers who lack length, power isn’t a large part of Haynesworth’s game. But he is an intelligent, well-leveraged blocker who can stay square with opponents, anchor effectively, and cover ground on the move.
Patrick Jenkins, DT
Tulane’s defensive line is stocked with a number of high-quality collegiate performers. On the interior, Patrick Jenkins the main component. The former four-star recruit and TCU standout emerged for the Green Wave in 2022, amassing three sacks and nine tackles for loss.
At 6’2″, 305 pounds, he sports a dire lack of length and power capacity, but he has the fleet-footed accelerative capacity and the hot motor to cause problems for blockers, regardless.
Darius Hodges, EDGE
Tied for the team lead in sacks with Dorian Williams in 2022, Darius Hodges returns as Tulane’s top pass-rushing presence. At 6’2″, 280 pounds, Hodges contributed five sacks and eight TFLs in 2022 and could be eyeing an even larger number in 2023.
Hodges doesn’t quite have the upside of past prospects to inhabit Tulane’s line. He’s not overly explosive or flexible for his size, but he brings good functional strength and active hands.
Tyler Grubbs, LB
Williams was a big loss for Tulane at the second level, but the hope is that Louisiana Tech transfer addition Tyler Grubbs can help compensate.
The 6’2″, 230-pound Grubbs joined the Bulldogs in 2020 and immediately became a fixture, amassing 193 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and three forced fumbles in his first two seasons. His 2022 campaign was shortened by injury but was on track to be just as productive.
Jarius Monroe, CB
Jarius Monroe came to Tulane from Nicholls State and established himself as a force on the boundary in 2022. At 6’2″, 205 pounds, Monroe’s length, play strength, and ball skills proved to be a challenge for opposing wideouts, as the disruptive defender racked up three interceptions and eight pass deflections.
While he’s not overly fluid, he’s very natural in side-saddle, where he can use his length to wall off passing windows and generate incompletions.
AJ Hampton, DB
The Green Wave will be getting some Power Five help in the secondary in the form of transfer addition AJ Hampton. Hampton comes from Northwestern, where he compiled a productive five-year career.
The 6’0″, 175-pound defender’s best work came in 2021 when he amassed 11 pass deflections, proving his mettle as a playmaker at the catch point. Hampton’s ability to generate momentum-changing plays, and his versatility to play the slot, could be valuable.
Kam Pedescleaux, S
The loss of Macon Clark on the back end might be bigger than expected for Tulane, but they addressed that departure by adding Louisiana transfer Kam Pedescleaux. Pedescleaux may be undersized at around 5’9″, 185 pounds, but he’s a legitimate playmaker in all phases.
Across four years with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Pedescleaux accumulated 197 tackles, 17 TFLs, three sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.
Valentino Ambrosio, K
If the Green Wave are to compete in a hotly-contested AAC once again, they’ll likely need their kicker Valentino Ambrosio to come up clutch at least one or two more times. Ambrosio, who stands around 5’9″, 175 pounds, has been reliable before.
He converted on 11 of 12 field goal attempts in 2022 and made all 43 of his extra points. His leg strength is somewhat untested, as he’s never attempted a kick over 50 yards. But his accuracy makes him a special teamer to watch.
Other Notable Names
- Dontae Fleming, WR
- Lawrence Keys III, WR
- Rashad Green, OT
- Josh Remetich, G
- Adonis Friloux, DT
- Eric Hicks Jr., DT
- Keith Cooper Jr., DL
- Angelo Anderson, DL
- Jesus Machado, LB
- Corey Platt Jr., LB
- DJ Douglas, DB
- Lance Robinson, S
Tulane Green Wave Schedule
- Week 1
BYE - Week 2
Sept. 2: vs. South Alabama Jaguars - Week 3
Sept. 9: vs. Ole Miss Rebels - Week 4
Sept. 16: at Southern Miss Golden Eagles - Week 5
Sept. 23: vs. Nicholls State Colonels - Week 6
Sept. 30: vs. UAB Blazers - Week 7
BYE - Week 8
Oct. 13: at Memphis Tigers - Week 9
Oct. 21: vs. North Texas Mean Green - Week 10
Oct. 28: at. Rice Owls - Week 11
Nov. 4: at East Carolina Pirates - Week 12
Nov. 11: vs. Tulane Golden Hurricane - Week 13
Nov. 18: at Florida Atlantic Owls - Week 14
Nov. 25: vs. UTSA Roadrunners - Week 15
BYE
