College football season is almost here, and with that, the start of the Jon Sumrall era at Tulane University. With summer practices wrapping up and preparation for the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana University nearing, there is still one central question Sumrall and the Green Wave have yet to answer: Who is the starting quarterback?

During the 2024 spring game , while there were three quarterbacks rostered, the main competition was between redshirt junior Kai Horton and junior star transfer Ty Thompson. However, the summer saw the emergence of Darian Mensah, a redshirt freshman from San Luis Obispo , who was ranked third  QB on the roster. While only getting a few snaps in the spring game, Mensah has seen more opportunities, playing with the first team in fall scrimmages and flourishing  in them. While the competition now seems to be between three quarterbacks, with Mensah possibly in the lead, Coach Sumrall has  yet to give any hint as to who it could be: “You probably are going to find out officially when you show up to Thursday night’s game a week from now.”

Sumrall also  said that all three QBs “are going to have a role,” leading to the possibility that we may see all three play for a few series in the opener as a final audition.

A lot is at stake this season, as Tulane is competing not only with up of Five schools for the coveted final spot in the new  . Despite being  in the first AP poll, Tulane has the star power to match their Group of Five competitors, as their six selections to the Senior Bowl watchlist is the most out of all respective teams. The list consists of four defensive players, including defensive end   defensive tackle   cornerback    and nickel/spear player   Ransaw was one of the many players who   to Tulane from Troy University. Sumrall’s reputation in Troy rested on his ability to recruit defensive talent, and it seems he has done the same so far at Tulane.

The other two spots on the watch list went to  and   two receivers who have been consistently great throughout camp. Williams, a junior who transferred from the University of Southern California, was one of Tulane’s bigger offseason pickups, while Fleming  returns for his second season. These two standout receivers , along with star running back   give Tulane’s eventual quarterback a solid support structure, whoever that may be.

The Green Wave’s season starts Thursday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m central time in Yulman Stadium.