Football Has 18 Named to Phil Steele All-AAC Teams
Dec 31, 2024 | Football
NEW ORLEANS  – The Tulane football team had 18 players named to Phil Steele All-AAC Teams, the organization recently announced.
The team's All-AAC First Team selections were running back Makhi Hughes, guard Shadre Hurst, offensive tackle Derrick Graham, defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins, long snapper Ethan Hudak and return specialists Rayshawn Pleasant. The Second Team choices were wide receiver Mario Williams, center Vincent Murphy, guard Josh Remetich, defensive lineman Adin Huntington, linebacker Tyler Grubbs, cornerback Micah Robinson and safety Bailey Despanie. Those chosen for the Third Team were offensive tackle Rashad Green, linebacker Sam Howard and cornerback Caleb Ransaw. The team's Fourth Team selections were tight end Alex Bauman and defensive lineman Kameron Hamilton.
Hughes ranked second conference in rushing this season with 1,401 yards on the ground. The total also placed him 10th nationally. His rushing yards were the fourth-most in a single season ever at Tulane. He also ran for 15 scores to place third all-time at Tulane in a single campaign. His 17 total touchdowns ranked him fourth all-time at Tulane and third overall in the conference this season.
Hurst played in all 14 games with 13 games at left guard where he helped the offense rank among the top five in the league in seven categories including third down conversions (1st – 50.3), completion percentage (3rd – 62.9), scoring offense (2nd – 35.1), interceptions thrown (4th – 9), passing efficiency (1st – 157.6), rushing (3rd – 195.6), time of possession (3rd – 32:13), first downs (3rd – 291) and passing yards per completions (4th – 14.16).The offense has scored 20+ points in 11 of the team's 14 games.
Graham played and started all 14 games at left tackle where he helped the offense rank among the top five in the league in seven categories including third down conversions (1st – 50.3), completion percentage (3rd – 62.9), scoring offense (2nd – 35.1), interceptions thrown (4th – 9), passing efficiency (1st – 157.6), rushing (3rd – 195.6), time of possession (3rd – 32:13), first downs (3rd – 291) and passing yards per completions (4th – 14.16).The offense has scored 20+ points in 11 of the team's 14 games.
Jenkins totaled 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks with a pair of pass breakups. He tied for the team lead in sacks this season.
Hudak was a key member of the Tulane's special teams units that ranked fourth in the AAC in net punting at 39.81 and went 13-for-18 in field goals and 58-for-62 despite using three different kickers on the season.
Pleasant led the conference and the nation with his two kick return touchdowns. He also averaging 34.5 yards a return with 449 yards in 13 returns with a long of 100 yards. He also totaled 35 tackles, a tackle for loss and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown as a defensive back. He was previously a 2024 First Team All-American by the Sporting News and a Third Team All-American by Phil Steele.
Williams led the team in both catches (60) and receiving yards (1,031) this season. He became just the eighth different Tulane receiver with 1000+ or more yards in a single season this year. He led the league in receiving yards and placed second in the AAC in receiving yards per game. His six receiving touchdowns ranked him seventh in the conference.
Murphy played and started all 14 games at center where he helped the offense rank among the top five in the league in seven categories including third down conversions (1st – 50.3), completion percentage (3rd – 62.9), scoring offense (2nd – 35.1), interceptions thrown (4th – 9), passing efficiency (1st – 157.6), rushing (3rd – 195.6), time of possession (3rd – 32:13), first downs (3rd – 291) and passing yards per completions (4th – 14.16).The offense has scored 20+ points in 11 of the team's 14 games.
Remeich played and started all 14 games at guard where he helped the offense rank among the top five in the league in seven categories including third down conversions (1st – 50.3), completion percentage (3rd – 62.9), scoring offense (2nd – 35.1), interceptions thrown (4th – 9), passing efficiency (1st – 157.6), rushing (3rd – 195.6), time of possession (3rd – 32:13), first downs (3rd – 291) and passing yards per completions (4th – 14.16).The offense has scored 20+ points in 11 of the team's 14 games.
Huntington played in 13 games on the defensive line and totaled 30 tackles, five stops for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Grubbs played and started all 14 games at linebacker where he led the team in tackles with 67. He also totaled six tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions along with a forced fumble.
Robinson played and started all 14 games at cornerback where he totaled 34 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high six pass breakups.
Despanie played and started all 14 games at safety where he totaled 52 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
Green played and started all 14 games at right tackle where he helped the offense rank among the top five in the league in seven categories including third down conversions (1st – 50.3), completion percentage (3rd – 62.9), scoring offense (2nd – 35.1), interceptions thrown (4th – 9), passing efficiency (1st – 157.6), rushing (3rd – 195.6), time of possession (3rd – 32:13), first downs (3rd – 291) and passing yards per completions (4th – 14.16).The offense has scored 20+ points in 11 of the team's 14 games.
Howard played and started 13 games at linebacker. He set a school record with five fumble recoveries while totaling 63 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception.
Ransaw played in 12 games at spear. He totaled 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and three pass breakups.
Bauman played and started 13 games at tight end. He led the team and ranked fifth in the conference with seven touchdown receptions. Bauman totaled 20 catches for 212 yards on the campaign.
Hamilton played in 14 games with nine starts on the defensive line. He tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.5. Hamilton totaled 21 tackles, six stops for loss, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles on campaign.
The Tulane football team (9-5) ended the season playing in the program's third consecutive bowl game. It was also the sixth time in the last seven years that Tulane had been selected to play in a bowl game (2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 – Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl). Overall, it was Tulane's 17th 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, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-10 in bowl games.
Tulane also made the team's third straight AAC Championship Game appearance. The program sports a 32-10 record over the last three seasons. The team's 32 wins is the fourth-most nationally. The team placed first or second in the AAC in 10 different categories including leading the league in third down conversions (52.5), defensive touchdowns (6), completion percentage (65.6), scoring offense (37.2) and passing efficiency defense (111.65). The team was the national leader in defensive touchdowns with six.
The team had a league-high 18 players selected All-AAC this season including Derrick Graham (First Team – offensive tackle), Shadre Hurst (First Team – offensive guard), Makhi Hughes (First Team – running back), Patrick Jenkins (First Team – defensive line), Mario Williams (Second Team – wide receiver), Josh Remetich (Second Team – offensive guard), Vincent Murphy (Second Team – center), Tyler Grubbs (Second Team – linebacker), Sam Howard (Second Team – linebacker), Bailey Despanie (Second Team – defensive back), Micah Robinson (Second Team – cornerback), Rayshawn Pleasant (Second Team – return specialist), Rashad Green (Third Team – offensive tackle), Alex Bauman (Third Team – tight end), Kameron Hamilton (Third Team – defensive line), Adin Huntington (Third Team – defensive line), Caleb Ransaw (Third Team – cornerback) and Yulkeith Brown (Honorable Mention – wide receiver).
The Green Wave's football team was chosen for third in the AAC Preseason Media Poll with 362 points plus two first-place votes at the annual conference media day.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8, 2023. The Huntsville, Alabama native has been one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last three seasons with a record of 32-9, 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 returned 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.
2024 Phil Steele Tulane All-AAC Selections (18)
Makhi Hughes – Running Back – First Team
Shadre Hurst – Guard – First Team
Derrick Graham – Tackle – First Team
Patrick Jenkins – Defensive Tackle – First Team
Rayshawn Pleasant – Kick Returner – First Team
Ethan Hudak – Long Snapper – First Team
Mario Williams – Wide Receiver – Second Team
Vincent Murphy – Center – Second Team
Josh Remetich – Guard – Second Team
Adin Huntington – Defensive Line – Second Team
Tyler Grubbs – Linebacker – Second Team
Micah Robinson – Cornerback – Second Team
Bailey Despanie – Safety – Second Team
Rashad Green – Offensive Tackle – Third Team
Sam Howard – Linebacker – Third Team
Caleb Ransaw – Cornerback – Third Team
Alex Bauman – Tight End – Fourth Team
Kameron Hamilton – Defensive End – Fourth Team
Tickets for the men's and women's basketball teams and the upcoming 2025 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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