10 impact newcomers for Tulane football in 2022

Every football season, new arrivals land on campuses and immediately seize an opportunity.

Either due to depth concerns at their position or because their skill set is a little more advanced than their peers at that spot, newcomers make instant impacts.

Here are 10 names who may fit into that category at Tulane in 2022. If you were to poll the Green Wave coaching staff, these are players who they expect to assert themselves during their very first season on campus.

WR Lawrence Keys, transfer from Notre Dame

The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder out of McDonogh 35 possesses blazing speed (4.35 in the 40 and 10.3 the 100 meters). The former Class 4A All-State performer in 2017 is ready for his chance to shine in college. While with the Fightin’ Irish, Keys snared eight passes for 185 yards, had six carries for 45 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 194 yards. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, expect him to see the ball in his hands in a variety of ways this fall.

RB Ashaah Clayton, transfer from Colorado

A tough, physical and durable runner, Clayton will complement the Wave’s already deep running back room. While at Warren Easton, he ran for 2,264 yards and 32 scores as a senior to cap a prep career as a rare four-year starter. During his two seasons at Colorado, he ran for 115 yards and three scores. Clayton can run between the tackles or bounce outside, putting up solid yards after contact. The 6-foot, 200 pounder runs a 4.42.

DT Patrick Jenkins, transfer from TCU

Another New Orleans product who returned home after signing with the Frogs as a four-star prospect in the 2020 class out of John Ehret. The 6-2, 300-pound run stuffer made 18 appearances for TCU, totaling 27 stops. Jenkins had a slew of offer out of high school from top programs like LSU, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Ole Miss, Colorado, Kansas, Miami, Mississippi State. Texas A&M and Tennessee. Very active with his hands, Jenkins has a quick initial step and a high motor. He will be a key cog in Tulane’s rotation on the defensive line, an area that needed an upgrade.

FS Lummie Young IV, transfer from Duke

He participated in 34 games with the Blue Devils, collecting 145 tackles including seven for losses, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. He is a big time hitter who will join Tulane fixture Larry Brooks, a reliable strong safety, to form a solid tandem. Young runs the alley with authority and greets ball carriers near the line of scrimmage with violent intentions.

CB Rayshawn Pleasant, three-star 2022 signee out of West Monroe

The 6-foot, 170 pounder excelled on offense for the Rebels, running for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall. However, his future lies at corner. A one-time pledge to Louisiana Tech, Pleasant comes out of breaks quickly. He also excels as a punt return specialist.

CB Jarius Monroe, transfer from Nicholls.

The 2021 All-Southland performer is ready for a bigger stage. During his time in Thibodaux, he accumulated 32 starts. The younger brother of former Wave defensive back Darion Monroe will solidify depth in the secondary. He should immediately claim nail down a first-team corner spot opposite returning starter Jadan Canady.

WR Chris Brazzell II, three-star signee in 2022

The 6-4, 175-pound product of Midland, Texas has plus length and reach as a receiver. He gets behind the secondary in a flash, with good separation in his routes. As a prepster, Brazzell accumulated 104 catches for 1,596 yards and 21 scores. His father Chris was a sixth round pick of the New York Jets in 1998, playing three seasons in the NFL (with the Jets and Cowboys) followed by seven more in the CFL.

OG Princeton Pines, transfer from Sam Houston State

An all-conference choice the past two seasons, the Baton Rouge native spent three seasons at University Lab before his senior campaign at Tata High. He initially signed with Baylor as a three-star recruit in 2018, playing in 14 contests for the Bears. A powerful run blocker, he will compete for the left guard spot vacated when Corey Dublin graduated after an all-time Tulane record of 61 career starts. Pines was headed to Oklahoma State in March until Green Wave coaches re-directed him to Willow Street.

OT Kanan Ray, transfer from Colorado

The 6-4, 295-pound Ray is another piece that will help re-enforce and restructure the Tulane offensive line. The Chatsworth, California product saw time at right tackle for the Buffaloes where he competed in 22 games. Ray has two years of eligibility remaining. He originally signed with UCLA, but then-head coach Jim Mora, Jr. offered him a gray shirt option which he declined before redirecting to Boulder.

WR Dea Juan McDougle, transfer from Maryland

The returning leading receiver from 2021 for Tulane had 33 catches for 376 yards. McDougle has the talent to make a real impact here. The Boca Raton, Fla. native was a high school teammate of Green Wave starting quarterback Michael Pratt so the chemistry there may help integrate McDougle quickly. A recruit in the ’20 class, DeaJuan held offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida State, Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon and Penn State. He has thre years of eligibility. His uncle Stockar McDougle was a first round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2000.