Tulane maps the Southeast for Early Signing Day 2020

In the midst of trying to prepare for the Armed Forces Bowl, Tulane’s coaching staff had another task to handle this week as the early signing period hit on Wednesday. In what was a tumultuous day for commits and schools around the nation, Tulane was no different. By the time the dust settled, the Green Wave inked 18 new recruits from Florida all the way to Illinois. We’ll do our best to break it all down.

Quarterbacks

Depth under center wasn’t much of a prominent issue last year but this year it certainly will be as Justin McMillan is on his way out the door. #12 only has one more game left with the Wave and while the search for his replacement will most likely end with Keon Howard (McMillan’s current backup) it will be of the utmost importance to fill in underneath him. It appears as though the staff agrees as Tulane signed two QB commits on Wednesday.

Michael Pratt - QB - Deerfield Beach HS (Deerfield Beach, FL)

Justin Ibieta - QB - Metairie Country Day HS (Metairie, LA)

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Like they did during last year’s early signing period, the Wave didn’t focus as much of their attention at receiver. The pair they inked this year, though, will have us all tuned in. Not only are they both dynamic playmakers that can leave their DBs in the dust, they’re also brothers. The Greenies landed a tight end from enemy territory as well.

Nataurean Watts - WR - Jones County JC (Petal, MS)

Duece Watts - WR - Jones County JC (Petal, MS)

Reggie Brown - TE - Legacy School of Sports Science (Houston, TX)

Offensive/Defensive Lines

Bolstoring up the O line is never a bad move and it’s something that, if you know anything about Willie Fritz, shouldn’t surprise you when looking at this year’s class. Last year the team added three new offensive linemen while this year they added four, one of which (Josh Remetich) is considered the second best OL recruit in the entire state of Louisiana. Focusing on the trenches was clearly a theme this year as the Greenies landed three guys on the defensive side as well, two of which aren’t traveling too far from home.

Joseph Solomon - OL - Bishop Chatard HS (Indianapolis, IN)

Matthew Lombardi - OL - St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, PA)

Rashad Green - OL - University Lab School (Baton Rouge, LA)

Josh Remetich - OL - Holy Cross (New Orleans, LA)

Noah Taliancich - DE - Destrehan HS (Destrehan, LA)

Bandon Brown - DL - Morton Ranch HS (Katy, TX)

Angelo Anderson - DL - John Curtis HS (New Orleans, LA)

Linebackers

Tulane also added a couple guys in the middle. The Wave currently boasts a talented committee of linebackers with Lawrence Graham and Marvin Moody. With both being upperclassmen though, Fritz and his staff were thinking ahead to life without them and this duo should help make that life a little easier.

Matthew Hightower - LB - Shepard HS (Palos Heights, IL)

Jesus Machado - LB - Champagnat Catholic HS (Hialeah, FL)

Defensive Backs

Tulane once again found themselves with a back-heavy class. This year the secondary gets boosted significantly as a four guys from all around the southeast find a new home in New Orleans. Keep an eye on these names in the years to come as they hope to join a long line of standout Tulane DBs. Side note: several of these guys have experience on offense as well.

Shi’keem Laister - DB - Chilton Co. School (Clanton, AL)

Kevaris Hall - DB - Red Oak HS (Red Oak, TX)

Cornelius Dyson - DB - Kentwood HS (Kentwood, LA)

Reggie Neely - DB - Briarcrest Christian (Memphis, TN)

Overall it seems that Tulane is quite satisfied with how Wednesday went. You can see Fritz discuss his thoughts on this year’s class here.