Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall is using a patient and calculated approach to finding his next starting quarterback. Despite facing significant roster turnover and the pressures of modern college football’s transfer portal and NIL landscape, Sumrall remains rigid in his belief that not rushing while recruiting will yield the best outcome.
Tulane HC Jon Sumrall Will Not Be Rushing His QB1 Decision
For Jon Sumrall, finding a starting quarterback is not a task that can be done on a whim. The Tulane head coach, now entering his second season with the Green Wave, is taking his time to evaluate his options in a competitive battle that includes three promising players: TJ Finley, Donovan Leary, and Kadin Semonza.
“You’d like to get it down to two, but we’re not going to rush that,” Sumrall told Fox 8 Sports.
Reflecting on last year’s QB battle, he noted that an early decision might have excluded eventual starter Darian Mensah.
Here’s my full interview with Tulane head football coach Jon Sumrall. In this extensive conversation we talk:
– Battle for Green Wave QB1
– NIL & Transfer portal
– Hiring of Kelly Comarda
– Opening month vs. Northwestern, Duke, and Ole Miss pic.twitter.com/AQQBh8uu3F— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) January 20, 2025
The current candidates that Jon Sumrall has shortlisted offer a wide variety of skills for the role. Finley, a well-traveled quarterback with stints at LSU, Auburn, Texas State, and Western Kentucky, offers a wealth of production and experience.
Leary, known for his strong arm and ties to a family of talented football players, comes highly recommended from Illinois. Semonza, an accomplished player from Ball State, showcased his potential as the MAC Freshman of the Year.
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Sumrall highlighted the competitive spirit among the three contenders.
“The best man’s going to win the job,” he stated, sharing that this battle for QB shouldn’t put any dent in the camaraderie among the players and such competition should only help the players improve themselves. “You’re not competing against anybody. You’re competing with each other, and you’re trying to make each other better.”
Jon Sumrall Shared His Process for Building His Roster in the NIL Era
While the quarterback decision looms large, Sumrall faces an equally significant challenge: managing a roster reshaped by the transfer portal. The Green Wave has experienced substantial turnover, with 27 players transferring in and six high school recruits joining the team. This represents one-third of the roster, underscoring the fluidity of college football in the NIL era.
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“That’s the nature of the beast now,” Sumrall acknowledged, describing the complexities of building a cohesive team amidst rapid player movement.
Yet, he remains optimistic, crediting the program’s new director of roster management, Kelly Comarda, with helping to navigate these challenges. Comarda’s efforts, combined with Sumrall’s leadership, have allowed the team to address critical needs with experienced transfers.
Despite the changes, Sumrall’s expectations for the program remain unwavering.
“The standards do not change,” he emphasized. “If your standards remain high, your expectations can also remain high.”
Sumrall’s focus on discipline, accountability, and team unity provides a strong foundation for Tulane as it aims to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
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