Football’s Javin Gordon Named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Mid-Season Watch List
Oct 7, 2025 | Football
PHILADELPHIA–  Tulane football's true freshman running back Javin Gordon was recently named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Mid-Season Watch List by the Maxwell Football Club.
Gordon was one of 15 additions to the list. He ranks second on the team with 235 yards rushing and three rushing scores. Gordon is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also has a pair of catches for 21 yards out of the backfield. He currently ranks 22nd in the American in rushing. He became just the third freshman running back in Tulane football history with three rushing touchdowns in a game along with Matt Forte (vs. Army - 11/13/04) and Orleans Darkwa (vs. Southeastern Louisiana – 9/2/10).
The others named to the midseason watch list were QB - Bear Bachmeier (BYU), QB - Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele (Cal), LB - Luke Ferrelli (Cal), DL – Zahir Mathis (Maryland), ED - Sidney Stewart (Maryland), QB - C.J. Carr (Notre Dame), RB - Caleb Hawkins (North Texas), QB – Drew Mestemaker (North Texas), LB - Antonie Deslauriers (Syracuse), WR - Braylon Staley (Tennessee), OT - Jesse Perry (Tennessee), CB - Ty Redmond (Tennessee), QB - Brad Jackson (Texas State), RB - Javin Gordon (Tulane) and OG- John Mills (Washington).
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the most outstanding college freshman in college football since 2018. It is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks). This award honors the nation's most outstanding freshman, recognizing his exceptional performance and significant impact on his team throughout the season.
The Tulane program ranks second in the league this season in interceptions (6) and turnovers gained (11). Patrick Durkin is the American's leader in both field goals a game (1.80) and field goal percentage (1.000). Alec Clark ranks second in the conference with his average of 45.6 yards per punt. Jake Retzlaff leads the league in rushing touchdowns (7) and is ninth in rushing yards (368). He is also fourth in passing yards per completion (12.06). Javion White is second in the conference and is placed fourth nationally in interceptions (3).
The Tulane football team (4-1, 1-0 American) has started the 2025 season with four wins in the first five games including a pair of wins over Power 4 opponents in the regular season for the first time since 1988. The program is also 1-0 in American play for the fourth straight season.
Tulane ended the 2024 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 American Championship Game appearance in 2024.
The program sports a 36-11 record over the last four seasons.
Head Coach Jon Sumrall has been one of the most successful coaches in the country over the last four seasons with a record of 36-10, 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.
Next, the Tulane football team returns home to host American rival East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 American) on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Yulman Stadium in a game that will also be shown on ESPN
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                                    - TulaneGreenWave -
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Gordon was one of 15 additions to the list. He ranks second on the team with 235 yards rushing and three rushing scores. Gordon is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also has a pair of catches for 21 yards out of the backfield. He currently ranks 22nd in the American in rushing. He became just the third freshman running back in Tulane football history with three rushing touchdowns in a game along with Matt Forte (vs. Army - 11/13/04) and Orleans Darkwa (vs. Southeastern Louisiana – 9/2/10).
The others named to the midseason watch list were QB - Bear Bachmeier (BYU), QB - Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele (Cal), LB - Luke Ferrelli (Cal), DL – Zahir Mathis (Maryland), ED - Sidney Stewart (Maryland), QB - C.J. Carr (Notre Dame), RB - Caleb Hawkins (North Texas), QB – Drew Mestemaker (North Texas), LB - Antonie Deslauriers (Syracuse), WR - Braylon Staley (Tennessee), OT - Jesse Perry (Tennessee), CB - Ty Redmond (Tennessee), QB - Brad Jackson (Texas State), RB - Javin Gordon (Tulane) and OG- John Mills (Washington).
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the most outstanding college freshman in college football since 2018. It is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks). This award honors the nation's most outstanding freshman, recognizing his exceptional performance and significant impact on his team throughout the season.
The Tulane program ranks second in the league this season in interceptions (6) and turnovers gained (11). Patrick Durkin is the American's leader in both field goals a game (1.80) and field goal percentage (1.000). Alec Clark ranks second in the conference with his average of 45.6 yards per punt. Jake Retzlaff leads the league in rushing touchdowns (7) and is ninth in rushing yards (368). He is also fourth in passing yards per completion (12.06). Javion White is second in the conference and is placed fourth nationally in interceptions (3).
The Tulane football team (4-1, 1-0 American) has started the 2025 season with four wins in the first five games including a pair of wins over Power 4 opponents in the regular season for the first time since 1988. The program is also 1-0 in American play for the fourth straight season.
Tulane ended the 2024 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 American Championship Game appearance in 2024.
The program sports a 36-11 record over the last four seasons.
Head Coach Jon Sumrall has been one of the most successful coaches in the country over the last four seasons with a record of 36-10, 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.
Next, the Tulane football team returns home to host American rival East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 American) on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Yulman Stadium in a game that will also be shown on ESPN
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Â
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                                    - TulaneGreenWave -
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Players Mentioned
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/ FootballTulane Tuesday: RB Javin Gordon - 10/7/25
Tuesday, October 07
Tulane Tuesday: DL Santana Hopper - 10/7/25
Tuesday, October 07
Tulane Tuesday: HC Jon Sumrall - 10/7/25
Tuesday, October 07
Postgame: HC Jon Sumrall, DL Santana Hopper, RB Javin Gordon
Sunday, September 28
