Tulane Football Adds Three-Star Running Back to Stellar 2026 Recruiting Class
The Tulane Green Wave football team continues to build an impressive 2026 recruiting class, making significant strides during the offseason.
This time of year is crucial for coaching staffs, offering one of the rare quiet periods to focus on developing their program’s foundation, free from the distractions of the transfer portal.
Tulane has traditionally faced challenges in securing highly-ranked high school recruits, but their recent success over the past few seasons has turned that around completely. Head coach Jon Sumrall and the recruiting staff have been busy hosting numerous prospects in recent weeks, aiming to secure commitments before the conclusion of their official visits.
On Saturday, their efforts paid off once again when three-star running back Lawrence Autry committed to the Green Wave, adding another top talent to their already-strong 2026 class.
Autry, a standout running back from Tennessee, announced his decision on X, becoming one of the state’s best recruits to choose Tulane. Ranked No. 67 in Tennessee by 247Sports and No. 7 at his position in the state, Autry chose the Green Wave over nine other offers, including UNLV, Southern Miss, South Alabama, Arkansas State, Georgia State, and Middle Tennessee.
At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, Autry is coming off a solid junior season at Collierville High, where he’s been heavily involved in the offense over the past two seasons. He has accumulated 391 career rush attempts for 2,452 yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, and added eight receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2024, Autry ran the ball 199 times for 1,354 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also catching six passes for 81 yards and one touchdown.
The running back position has a strong legacy at Tulane, with notable former players like Matt Forte and Tyjae Spears setting the standard. With Spears’ transfer to Oregon, the Green Wave will be looking to fill his shoes, as well as replace Makhi Hughes, who also transferred.
The running back position is set to be pivotal for Tulane’s offensive success next season, especially given how much offensive coordinator Joe Craddock leans on the ground game. The role is evolving, though, with an increasing emphasis on receiving skills—something that both current high school recruits and incoming transfers possess. Autry, despite his limited receiving experience, has shown promise in that area.
As the start of fall camp approaches in just a month, Tulane has put in a tremendous amount of effort to secure a top-tier 2026 class, now highlighted by Autry’s commitment.
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