Football Sees 13 Named All-State
Dec 30, 2023 | Football
Willie Fritz, Patrick Jenkins and Makhi Hughes Capture State Specialty Awards
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – Tulane's football team picked up a total of 16 awards from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) recently including having the Coach, Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year.
Former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz was voted the as the Coach of the Year after guiding the team to an 11-1 record through the regular season, 10 straight victories and a second consecutive appearance in the AAC Championship Game.
Patrick Jenkins (defensive tackle) was voted as the state's Defensive Player of the Year. He ended the 2023 season with 35 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Jenkins also was a First Team All-State selection.
Makhi Hughes (running back) was voted as the state's Freshman of the Year. He ran for 1,378 yards on 258 yards plus seven touchdowns this season. He topped 100 yards on the ground in seven games including six consecutive contests. He previously was named the AAC Freshman of the Year. Hughes also was a First Team All-State selection.
In addition to Hughes and Jenkins, the other first team All-State selections were Sincere Haynesworth (center), Cameron Wire (offensive tackle), Darius Hodges (defensive end), Jesus Machado (linebacker) and Lance Robinson (cornerback).
Haynesworth and Wire helped Tulane total 5,181 yards in total offense this season. The program also scored 41 touchdowns. The team scored over 20 points in 12 times and over 30 points in six contests with a high of 37 against South Alabama.
Hodges tallied a team-leading 7.5 sacks to go along with 25 tackles and 9.5 stops for loss on the season.
Machado led the team in tackles on the campaign with 98. He also had an interception and three tackles for loss.
Robinson led the team with his four interceptions. He also had seven pass breakups and a forced fumble.
The Tulane players on the Second Team were Chris Brazzell II (wide receiver), Michael Pratt (quarterback), Devean Deal (defensive end), Jarius Monroe (cornerback) and Kam Pedescleaux (safety).
Brazzell led the team in both catches (44) and receiving yards (711). He averaged 16.2 yards per reception and had five receiving touchdowns.
Pratt completed 185 of 283 passes (65.4 percent) for 2,406 yards and 22 passing touchdowns. He averaged 218.7 passing yards a game. He also ran for 286 yards and five touchdowns. Pratt become Tulane's all-time leader in career passing yards (9,602) and passing touchdowns (90). He was also named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Deal led Tulane's defense in tackles for loss with 13. He also tallied 43 tackles, four sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, a defensive touchdown and three forced fumbles.
Monroe totaled 48 tackles, 3.5 stops for loss, a sack, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble this season.
Pedescleaux led the defense with his 12 pass breakups. He also picked up 56 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble during the 2023 campaign.
Rashad Green (offensive tackle) was on an Honorable Mention All-State selection. He helped Tulane total 5,181 yards in total offense this season. The program also scored 41 touchdowns. The team scored over 20 points in 12 times and over 30 points in six contests with a high of 37 against South Alabama.
Tulane finished the 2023 season with a mark of 11-3 and a perfect 8-0 record in the American Athletic Conference. The program concluded the campaign with the 16th bowl appearance at the GoBowling Military Bowl contest against Virginia Tech. It was the fifth time in the last six years that Tulane has appeared in bowl game. The team is 23-5 over the last two seasons.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8. The Huntsville, Alabama native was one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last two seasons. He guided Troy University to a 23-4 record, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returns to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.
2023 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State Teams – Tulane selections
Willie Fritz – LSWA Coach of the Year
Patrick Jenkins – LSWA Defensive Player of the Year
Makhi Hughes – LSWA Freshman of the Year
All-State First Team (7)
Pos.     Player Â
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sincere Haynesworth
OTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Cameron Wire
RBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Makhi Hughes
DEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Darius Hodges
DTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Patrick Jenkins
LBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Jesus Machado
CBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Lance Robinson
All-State Second Team (5)
Pos.     Player
WRÂ Â Â Â Â Chris Brazzell II
QBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Michael Pratt
DEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Devean Deal
CBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Jarius Monroe
SÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kam Pedescleaux
All-State Honorable Mention (1)
Pos.     Player
OTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rashad Green
Tickets the men's and women's basketball teams games and the upcoming 2024 baseball season can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
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