Tulane Football: Can Green Wave maintain their momentum in 2020?

Can the Tulane defense improve upon last year’s numbers?

Last year’s Tulane defense was solid if unspectacular, ranking in the top 60 nationally in yards and points allowed and in the top five in the AAC in both categories. The Green Wave, however, seemed to fade down the stretch. In the first half of the season, which included a road game against Auburn, Tulane started 5-1 as they held opponents to an average of 19.2 points per game. Inn the back half of the season, including their bowl win over Southern Miss, Tulane went 2-5 and gave up an average of 32.4 points per game.

While much of Tulane’s ranking at 122nd in the FBS in returning production falls on the mass exodus from the offense, the Green Wave also lose a lot on defense this season. Defensive coordinator Jack Curtis will build out from the line, where every starter returns. The key in that unit is defensive end Patrick Johnson, who broke out in 2018 but saw diminishing returns in his production last season as he played through a labrum tear.

Getting more pressure in the backfield will be critical for the Green Wave heading into their 2020 schedule. Last season’s defense averaged 1.6 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss per game, putting them 10th in the AAC in both categories. The hope for Tulane is that more experience will help generate more pressure at the point of attack and help out the back end of the defense.

Focusing on the Tulane secondary

The secondary loses a big playmaker in departed senior PJ Hall, who was the team’s anchor at safety last season. Hall tied for second in total tackles last season, led the defensive backfield in passes broken up, forced a fumble, and picked off two passes (including a pick-six against FCS Missouri State).

Senior free safety Chase Kuerschen will shoulder an even bigger load in the secondary after leading the team last season in tackles and snagging a pair of interceptions in coverage. Larry Brooks, who looks to take over at strong safety after leading the team with four interceptions despite playing a reserve role, will also need to step up his game even more as a senior in 2020.

The entire backfield might be lacking in starting experience outside Hall, but in addition to Brooks the rest of the unit is rather veteran as well. At the cornerback positions, the likely starters will be senior Jaylon Monroe and Florida State transfer Kyle Meyers.