What We’ve Learned From Tulane Fall Camp With Duke Closing In
The
quarterback race has narrowed, the defense keeps answering every challenge, and
several new names are emerging as Tulane shifts toward Duke preparation.
Tulane is
just over two weeks away from opening the 2026 season at Duke, and after more
than two weeks of fall camp, the picture surrounding Will Hall's first Green
Wave team is finally starting to sharpen.
Not
completely. But considerably.
A quarterback
competition that began with four legitimate candidates has effectively narrowed
to two. A rebuilt defensive front that entered August as perhaps the biggest
question on the roster has instead become one of camp's most consistent bright
spots. Tulane's secondary looks deep, the running back room looks every bit as
dangerous as advertised, and several new offensive weapons have begun carving
out roles.123
There are
still decisions to make before Hall releases Tulane's first full depth chart on
August 24. But with the opener at Duke looming on September 5, we finally have
a much better idea of what this team might look like.1
Will Hall addresses the Green Wave during 2026 fall
camp. |
Photo: @GreenWaveFB/X
The Quarterback Battle Has Finally Become a Two-Man Race
For most of
fall camp, Tulane's quarterback competition lived up to its name. Kadin
Semonza, Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, Dagan Bruno and true freshman Trace Johnson
all received legitimate opportunities to win the job, often rotating through
practice with relatively equal workloads.
That's no
longer the case.
Following
Tulane's first fall scrimmage on August 15, the coaching staff reviewed the
film and made its first significant adjustment to the competition. By Monday,
the overwhelming majority of first-team repetitions were being divided between
Semonza and Chriss-Gremillion.1
That matters.
For the first nine practices, Tulane was still evaluating four quarterbacks. On
Day 10, the competition effectively began taking its final shape.1
And neither
veteran appears interested in making the decision easy.
Semonza's
ascent has been one of the clearest developments of camp. After an uneven
opening practice, the Ball State transfer steadily improved his command of the
offense, pocket presence and timing with Tulane's receivers. Earlier in camp,
multiple observers described him as the quarterback making the strongest case
to start Week 1.4
Monday may
have been one of his best examples yet. Semonza delivered a perfectly placed
corner-route throw to Anthony Brown-Stephens near the sideline, allowing
Brown-Stephens to secure the football and get both feet down. Throughout the
session, Semonza continued to show the decisiveness and accuracy that have
defined his rise throughout camp.2
But every
time Semonza appears ready to create separation, Chriss-Gremillion seems to
respond.
On Monday,
Zeon followed Semonza's strong start with multiple touchdown passes of his own,
including an impressive deep ball to Cash Semonza while throwing under heavy
pressure and off his back foot.2
That's
significant because the biggest argument for Semonza has always been his
advantage as the more consistent passer. The closer Chriss-Gremillion gets in
that department, the more interesting this competition becomes.
We already
know what Zeon offers with his legs. At 6-foot-3 and more than 220 pounds,
Chriss-Gremillion gives Tulane a true quarterback-run element that changes the
numbers defenses have to account for. But his development as a passer may
ultimately decide this competition.
The most
recent practices have shown noticeable progress. On Thursday, Chriss-Gremillion
repeatedly hit curl routes on time and continued working efficiently through
his progressions. His deep passing remains less consistent, but the overall
trajectory continues to point upward. Semonza had his own highlight Thursday,
connecting with Destyn Hill on a deep route during seven-on-seven work.3
And that's
where the competition stands now: Semonza appears to provide the steadier
traditional passing profile; Chriss-Gremillion provides the more dangerous
rushing dimension while increasingly showing he can make many of the same
throws.
What does
seem increasingly clear is that Semonza
and Chriss-Gremillion have separated from the rest of the room.13
Don't Forget About Trace Johnson
The narrowing
of the competition shouldn't obscure what Tulane appears to have found in true
freshman Trace Johnson.
Johnson may
no longer be receiving the same volume of first-team work as the two veterans,
but almost every camp report has contained some reminder of why the coaching
staff is so excited about him.
Hall offered
perhaps the best example Monday: when the head coach arrived at the facility
around 5 a.m. to make coffee, Johnson was already there watching film. Hall's
assessment was simple: 'He's got it, whatever it is.'2
That work is
translating onto the field. Johnson has shown an ability to move through
progressions and make throws beyond what would normally be expected from a true
freshman in his first college camp. Thursday brought another example when he
hit tight end Dawson Johnson between a corner and safety for a touchdown during
seven-on-seven work.3
He may not be
Tulane's Week 1 starter. But it's becoming increasingly difficult to watch this
camp without wondering whether Tulane has found its next long-term quarterback.
The Defense Isn't Just Holding Its Own Anymore
When fall
camp began, the easiest position group to identify as Tulane's biggest concern
was the defensive line. The Green Wave had to replace virtually everyone who
played meaningful snaps up front last season.
Two weeks
later, the conversation has changed dramatically.
The question
is no longer simply whether Tulane can survive its defensive-line turnover.
It's whether this defense might actually be better than expected because of
what is happening up front.23
Tulane players work through a physical drill during 2026
fall camp. | Photo: @GreenWaveFB/X
Monday's
practice provided another emphatic example. The defensive line won the majority
of its one-on-one opportunities against an improving offensive line,
consistently clogged rushing lanes and created pressure quickly enough that
several blitzes appeared to reach the backfield almost immediately.2
That trend
carried into Thursday's practice at the Saints facility in Metairie, where the
defense controlled most of the 11-on-11 period. Running backs struggled to
generate explosive plays and receivers repeatedly had difficulty getting
cleanly into their routes. Hall described the defense as having noticeable
'juice and energy,' particularly early in practice.3
That matters
because the defensive success hasn't been isolated to one great afternoon. It
has been happening throughout camp.
The personnel
picture is also starting to become clearer. Josh Lewis has moved into a
first-team role, while Jah'rie Garner has emerged at Bandit after spending last
season learning behind veterans such as Mo Westmoreland and Kam Hamilton. Both
have spoken openly about the confidence inside the defensive-line room.2
Tulane's Defense May Be Its Biggest Strength
And the
defensive line is only one piece. Tulane's linebacker room has looked deep
throughout camp, while the secondary could legitimately be among the best in
the American Conference.2
Dickson Agu
and Chris Rodgers give the Green Wave veteran options at linebacker, while
players throughout the second and third levels have consistently created
problems for the offense.
At safety,
Jack Tchienchou is healthy again after missing spring practice while recovering
from the injury he suffered during Tulane's College Football Playoff run.
Tchienchou anchors an experienced group that also includes Kevin Adams and
Joshua Moore, with Chase Green receiving positive reviews throughout camp.
The
cornerback room is beginning to look equally interesting. E'zaiah Shine
returned as an established piece, while CJ Agu - Dickson Agu's older brother -
has drawn praise from Hall after several strong practices and has also become
an important special-teams piece.3
There is
still work to do. Hall has emphasized developing depth before Duke and wants
the defensive backs to remain disciplined on critical third- and fourth-down
situations rather than getting overly physical and inviting penalties.3
But more than
two weeks into camp, defense has become one of the most consistently
encouraging parts of the roster.
Destyn Hill Looks Ready to Become a Featured Weapon
One offensive
storyline has remained remarkably consistent from the beginning of camp until
now: Destyn 'Fat' Hill keeps making plays.
The LSU
transfer entered August as one of the most intriguing additions to Tulane's
roster, and almost every stage of camp has reinforced why. Hill has made plays
vertically, won in individual periods and developed chemistry with Tulane's
quarterbacks. Thursday brought another example when Semonza found him downfield
during seven-on-seven work.34
Hill's
emergence becomes even more important when considering the other options around
him. Anthony Brown-Stephens has arguably been the most consistently productive
receiver in camp. Zycarl Lewis Jr. provides another veteran option. Kellen
Tasby's 6-foot-6 frame creates a different matchup, while Seth Gale continues
to surface in practice reports.23
Hall has said
he is pleased with the overall growth of the receiver room and believes the
quarterbacks are beginning to understand the small details of how their
receivers run routes and communicate through body positioning.23
The Running Back Room Is Doing Exactly What Tulane Hoped
Jamauri
McClure's foot injury remains one of the more significant setbacks of camp. But
if Tulane had to absorb an injury at one position, running back might be the
place best equipped to handle it.
Jaylin Lucas
has become increasingly involved as camp progresses. On Monday, Lucas broke
loose for a touchdown run that impressed running backs coach Brock Hays not
simply because of his speed, but because of the patience he showed allowing the
play to develop.1
Maurice
Turner also appears healthy and explosive again after injuries derailed his
2025 season. Johnnie Daniels has been perhaps the biggest riser of the group,
earning praise throughout camp for his physical development and explosive runs.
And all of
this is happening without McClure. His absence has distributed more snaps among
the backs behind him and reinforced just how deep the room really is.1
Another Position Battle Is Emerging at Tight End
Quarterback
understandably receives most of the attention, but another offensive
competition is becoming worth watching: tight end.
Dawson
Johnson has impressed Hall over the past several practices, particularly with
his improvement as a route runner. Tulane already trusted his point-of-attack
blocking. Becoming a more complete receiving threat changes his ceiling
considerably.3
Vance Bolyard
remains in the competition. Gabe Lovorn returned from injury this week, and Ty
Thompson is expected back next week. Hall has identified all four as players
still involved in determining the pecking order at the position.3
The Offensive Line Is Improving - But the Defense Keeps Testing It
The offensive
line has probably experienced more ups and downs than any other unit during
camp. That's not particularly surprising given the turnover and the fact that
it is practicing every day against a defensive front that has been much more
disruptive than anticipated.
There have
been encouraging signs. Hall specifically listed pass protection among the
areas where he believes Tulane has improved, and earlier practices showed the
line beginning to win more individual matchups and create cleaner rushing
lanes.3
But the past
week has also provided a reminder that this group isn't finished. On Monday,
the defensive front controlled much of the run game. Thursday brought more of
the same, with the defense limiting explosive rushing plays and disrupting
routes during team periods.23
One Thing Hall Still Wants: More Explosive Passes
For
everything that has gone well offensively, Hall identified one area Thursday
that Tulane still needs to improve before Week 1: the deep ball.
Tulane has
hit some during camp. Semonza has connected downfield with Hill, and
Chriss-Gremillion has flashed the ability as well. But Hall wants more
consistency, especially considering the personnel Tulane has to stretch the
field.3
Hill can
threaten vertically. Tasby offers a massive catch radius. Brown-Stephens can
create separation. Lucas can stress defenses in multiple directions. Tulane has
the pieces to create explosive plays. Now the quarterbacks have to consistently
connect on them.
What We Know With Duke Getting Close
Tulane still
has one more soft scrimmage scheduled for Saturday. Hall has indicated that
established veterans won't necessarily receive extensive work; instead, the
session will be especially important for younger players and those still
fighting for places on the depth chart.3
Then comes
Monday: August 24. That's when Hall plans to release Tulane's first full depth
chart.1
And unlike a
week ago, we now have a reasonably good idea of what one of its most important
lines will look like.
The
quarterback competition that dominated the offseason has become a race between
Kadin Semonza and Zeon Chriss-Gremillion. Semonza surged. Zeon answered. And
neither has given Hall an easy reason to end the competition early.123
Meanwhile,
the bigger revelation of August may be happening on the other side of the
football. Tulane's defensive line has repeatedly exceeded expectations. The
linebackers are deep. The secondary has veterans, competition and emerging
pieces.23 What looked like the roster's biggest
preseason question may instead become one of its defining strengths.
Position
battles remain throughout the roster.3 But
with Duke rapidly approaching, Tulane is beginning to look less like a
collection of offseason projections and more like an actual football team.
DUKE IS NEXT.
SOURCE
NOTES
1. Maddy Hudak, “Tulane QB
Competition Gets a Bit Clearer as Reps Favor Two Competitors,” Tulane
Roundtable, Aug. 2026. Source link
2. Colin Cummings, “Tulane
Monday Practice Sees Strong Quarterback Play, Solid & Loud Defense,” On SI
Tulane, Aug. 17, 2026. Source link
3. Doug Joubert, “Tulane Fall
Drills Move to Metairie, Defense Owns the Day,” On SI Tulane, Aug. 20, 2026. Source link
4. Patrick Harkness, “Tulane QB
Battle Taking Shape,” The Kneaux, Aug. 13, 2026. Source link
5. Additional camp context:
@GreenWaveFB, @greenwavecolin, @WGNOSports, @DougJoubert, @BeInTheKneaux,
@NOLAnews, @KenTrahan, @WaveAfterGWave, @FTWMediaGroup, @GarlandGillen, and the
GoTula.net fall-camp thread.
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