Over the past two seasons, Tulane has had one of the top defenses in the AAC.
That should continue in 2024 — especially with Jon Sumrall now at the helm.
While at Troy, Sumrall’s defenses were among the top in not just the Sun Belt but in the entire Group of Five. You knew an offense wasn’t going to put up many points against Troy. The Trojans allowed just 17 points per game in both seasons during Sumrall’s tenure. Last year, Tulane allowed 20.5 points per game.
Now, Sumrall inherits plenty of solid pieces from last year’s Tulane squad that ranked second in the AAC in scoring defense only behind SMU.
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It all starts in the trenches, and the Green Wave are bringing back an elite defensive lineman in Patrick Jenkins. The senior was one of the biggest disruptors in the conference last season, compiling 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Alongside Jenkins will be junior Kameron Hamilton, who recorded four sacks and six TFLs in 2023. Angelo Anderson also returns with plenty of experience.
What should be the most productive group returning for the Green Wave, though, will be the linebacking corps. Jesus Machado and Tyler Grubbs were the two leading tacklers for Tulane last year. Machado totaled 98 tackles while Grubbs finished with 85 and added three sacks. The pair of seniors are arguably the top duo at the position in the conference.
Grubbs ended his junior campaign on a high note and should continue where he left off.
It was big-time news when Bailey Despanie decided he would return to Tulane for the 2024 campaign. The redshirt junior announced his return just two days after Sumrall was named the new head coach of the Green Wave.
Despanie’s 67 tackles were third most on the roster, and he also added two pass breakups and an interception. He is the only starter from last year’s Tulane secondary who will be returning.
Good thing Sumrall added some defensive backs from the transfer portal.
One of those guys is Caleb Ransaw, who started for Troy last season in a hybrid role and tallied 50 tackles. Tulane also landed two solid corners from the FCS out of the portal. Micah Robinson comes from Furman and is a two-year starter who totaled 12 pass breakups and five picks in the last two seasons. Johnathan Edwards comes from Indiana State and led the MVFC in pass breakups with nine in 2022. Both guys bring plenty of experience.
Jalen Geiger (Kentucky) and Lu Tillery (ULM) were two others who transferred to Tulane and should provide some much-needed depth in the secondary.
Tulane’s defense should look similar to what it did in 2023, but it will probably look a little more like Troy’s defense from last year. This only makes sense with Sumrall bringing defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato with him to New Orleans.
Gasparato’s defense is physical and flies around to the ball. This year, he’ll have a solid group of players who fit well into his scheme.
There is potential for this defense to be dominant.
