In a recent mailbag, a college football writer was upbeat about the direction of the Tulane Green Wave football program.
Sustaining success in college football is challenging, and it’s even tougher at the Group of 5 level, especially in the age of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
Despite those challenges, Tulane has managed to stay competitive, and one of college football’s top analysts sees a bright future for the program.
Chris Vannini, who covers college football for The Athletic with a focus on Group of 5 conferences—including the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West, and the Sun Belt—recently shared his thoughts on Tulane’s long-term outlook. He was optimistic about where the program is headed.
Vannini acknowledged the difficulties programs like Tulane face, noting that key players such as former quarterback Darian Mensah (now at Duke) and running back Makhi Hughes (now at Oregon) left via the transfer portal. However, head coach Jon Sumrall, now entering his second season, and his staff responded by making significant additions in the portal, bringing in over two dozen players, including three quarterbacks with FBS starting experience who will compete for the starting job.
“It’s simply going to be really hard for Group of 5 teams to keep their best players,” Vannini wrote. “The ones that will thrive are the ones that find the replacements. Tulane, with one of the best NIL operations in the G5, is doing that.”
Beyond NIL, Tulane is also investing in its facilities. The school recently announced plans for a new practice facility that will benefit both the football team and other sports. The enclosed field will feature an inflatable, removable cover and sides, with a domed structure reaching 60 feet in height—allowing space for punting and kicking drills. The bubble can also be removed in the event of severe weather, such as hurricanes.
These efforts reflect the athletic department’s commitment to building a program that can compete not only within the Group of 5 but also for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
In Sumrall’s first season, Tulane finished 9-5, reached the American Athletic Conference title game for the third consecutive year, and played in the Gasparilla Bowl. Along the way, the Green Wave earned spots in both the AP Top 25 and the College Football Playoff rankings.
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