Football’s Makhi Hughes One of Two Named As CFN Honorable Mention Freshman All-Americans

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane football's Makhi Hughes was one of two players named a 2023 College Football Network (CFN) Honorable Mention Freshman All-American and headlined the CFN All-AAC Teams for the Green Wave.

Hughes was an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American along with Chris Brazzell II. Hughes also earned All-AAC Honors by CFN.

This season through the first 13 games, Hughes led the conference with 1,290 rushing yards and was named the AAC's Rookie of the Year. He ran for 100 or more yards in seven games. He was the first freshman in school history to topped 1,000 yards and his rushing total places him fourth all-time in a single season.

Brazzell led the team in catches this year with 44 along with receiving yards with 711. He also totaled five touchdown catches and topped 100 yards receiving in a pair of games.

Tulane also had seven individual players that were voted AAC Players of the Year at their position grouping in Michael Pratt (Quarterback of the Year), Sincere Haynesworth (Center of the Year and Offensive Lineman of the Year), Patrick Jenkins (Defensive Lineman of the Year and the Interior Defensive Lineman of the Year). Jesus Machado (Linebacker of the Year), Lance Robinson (Cornerback of the Year), Kam Pedescleaux (Safety of the Year) and Casey Glover (Kickoff Specialist of the Year).

Jenkins was also voted the league's Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year.

Tulane's football team (11-2) will face off against Virginia Tech (6-6) in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27 in Annapolis, Maryland at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. Tulane will play against Virginia Tech for the first time since 1989. The program is 4-5 all-time against the Hokies since the first game in 1956. This is the fifth time in the last six years that Tulane has been selected to play in a bowl game (2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 – Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl). Overall, this will be Tulane's 16th bowl appearance (1932 – Rose Bowl, 1935 – Sugar Bowl, 1939 – Sugar Bowl, 1970 – Liberty Bowl, 1973 – Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, 1979 – Liberty Bowl, 1980 – Hall of Fame Bowl, 1987 – Independence Bowl, 1998 – Liberty Bowl, 2002 – Hawaii Bowl, 2013 – New Orleans, 2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 -Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-8 in bowl games.

Tulane enters the bowl game having gone 23-4 the last two seasons including a historic 46-45 victory over USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2, 2023. The team won the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season title the last two seasons and became only the third team in conference history to host the AAC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. The Green Wave defense leads the conference is placed seventh nationally in rushing yards allowed at 93.5. The squad also ranks third in the conference and 26th in the country in sacks at 2.62 per game. The program leads the conference and ranks second nationally in turnovers gained at 25. The team leads the league and ranks third nationally in interceptions with 17. Tulane leads the league in kickoff returns at 26.08. Individually, Lance Robinson leads the conference and is placed 16th in the country with his four interceptions. Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins are ranked fourth and eighth in the conference in sacks, respectfully. Valentino Ambrosio is placed third in the conference with his 1.46 field goals per game and total points (97). He also ranks fifth in the league in field goal percentage (79.2). Lawrence Keys III is placed second in yards per catch at 18.15. Keys is also 11th in the league with his seven touchdowns scored. Jha'Quan Jackson is seventh in the conference in yards per reception at 16.88. Chris Brazzell II is placed 10th in the league in yards per catch (16.06). Makhi Hughes leads the conference in rushing with 1,290 yards. He is sixth in the league with seven rushing touchdowns. Michael Pratt is third in the league in passing yards a completion at 13.01. Shedro Louis leads the league and ranks seventh in the country with his kick return average of 28.6. Tulane has won a school-record 10 straight road games.

Tulane On 2023 College Football Network Specialty Awards
Makhi Hughes – Honorable Mention All-American
Chris Brazzell II – Honorable Mention All-American
Patrick Jenkins – Player of the Year
Patrick Jenkins – Defensive Player of the Year
Michael Pratt – Quarterback of the Year
Sincere Haynesworth – Center of the Year
Sincere Haynesworth – Offensive Lineman of the Year
Patrick Jenkins – Defensive Lineman of the Year
Patrick Jenkins – Interior Defensive Lineman of the Year
Jesus Machado – Linebacker of the Year
Lance Robinson – Cornerback of the Year
Kam Pedescleaux – Safety of the Year
Tulane – Defensive Line of the Year
Tulane – Secondary of the Year
Casey Glover – Kickoff Specialist of the Year

CFN All-AAC First Team All-Americans
Michael Pratt – Quarterback
Makhi Hughes – Running Back
Sincere Haynesworth – Center
Patrick Jenkins – Defensive Tackle
Jesus Machado – Linebacker
Lance Robinson – Cornerback
Kam Pedescleaux – Safety
Darius Hodges – Flex
Casey Glover – Kickoff Specialist

CFN All-AAC Second Team All-Americans
Rashad Green – Offensive Tackle
Keith Cooper Jr. – Edge
Jarius Monroe – Cornerback

CFN AAC Third Team All-Americans
Chris Brazzell II – Wide Receiver
Kameron Hamilton – Defensive Tackle
Shedro Louis – Kick Returner

CFN AAC Honorable Mention All-Americans
Lawrence Keys III – Wide Receiver
Alex Bauman – Tight End
Devean Deal – Edge
Jared Small – Linebacker
DJ Douglas – Safety
Valentino Ambrosio – Kicker
Kiland Harrison – Special Teams

TICKETS
Tickets for the 2023 bowl game, the men's and women's basketball teams 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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Football’s Makhi Hughes One of Two Named As CFN Honorable Mention Freshman All-Americans

Players Mentioned

Valentino Ambrosio

Alex Bauman

Chris Brazzell II

Keith Cooper Jr.

Devean Deal

DJ Douglas

Casey Glover

Rashad Green

Kameron Hamilton

Kiland Harrison

Sincere Haynesworth

Darius Hodges

Makhi Hughes

Jha'Quan Jackson

Patrick Jenkins

Lawrence Keys III

Shedro Louis

Jesus Machado

Jarius Monroe

Kam Pedescleaux

Michael Pratt

Lance Robinson

Jared Small

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Tulane University Athletics