Stepping Up: Tulane players to watch in 2020

Tulane’s football program has gone through a metamorphosis under head coach Willie Fritz.

It has been a lifetime since the Green Wave fans experienced as much consistent success as they have under Fritz, who enters his fifth year at the helm.

With back to back 7-6 seasons including bowl victories, the program appears poised to take a giant step forward and reach loftier levels of success.

Tulane has some holes to fill on both sides of the ball. As is the case every year, a few part-time players from the previous season will assert themselves. Newcomers will help, too.

Here are some players to watch as potential Tulane difference makers this season.

QB Keon Howard

The unknown begins with the quarterback position. With Justin McMillan’s departure, it will open the door for the emergence of the Southern Miss transfer. McMillan threw for 2,444 yards and added 745 yards as a runner. Those are not insurmountable numbers to replace. Howard will have to replace the leadership and experience with no experience behind him on the depth chart.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior played in 11 games for the Golden Eagles including seven starts from 2016 to 2017. He tossed for 1,564 yards with nine touchdowns with nine interceptions and was sacked 14 times. Tulane’s early offensive success will solely depend on how quickly he develops. Howard did play in four contests last year, completing 13 of 18 passes for 206 yards and two scores. He has steadily gained the trust of his teammates.

WR Jha’Quan Jackson (5-10, 170)

The sophomore out of Hahnville has recorded two catches for 31 yards and one score, a 14-yard reception against UConn. He is the nephew of Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. Very athletic and dangerous in space, Jackson could also provide help as a return man.

RB Tyjae Spears (5-10, 190)

The redshirt freshman runs a 4.35 forty. As deep as the Green Wave’s running back room is, Spears could separate himself from the crowd. Explosive with unique skills to make people miss, he has just scratched the surface of his potential. Seeing action in five games in 2019, he had 32 carries for 192 yards and a score. The Ponchatoula product’s role may gain more significance with the loss of Corey Dauphine this season due to injury.

OC Sincere Haynesworth (6-1, 315)

Just a sophomore, he made five starts at guard in 2019. Haynesworth is considered one of the best five offensive linemen on the squad. He is very physical, a true thumper, but also has fine feet and movement. Haynesworth could have played center last year but transfer Christian Montano locked down that spot. His practice habits, desire to excel and tremendous lower body strength make Haynesworth a potential long-term line anchor.

RT Jaylen Miller (6-3, 315)

The grad transfer from Duke has played in 18 contests. He fractured ankle Oct. 20, 2018 versus Virginia, missing the remainder of the season and all of spring ’19. Provided he is now able to stay healthy, Miller will help solidify the front five for the Wave. He can play tackle or guard.

WR Mykel Jones (5-11, 188)

Another grad transfer, the former Oklahoma Sooner doesn’t have eye popping stats, but what he does bring is a winning attitude from one of the nation’s top programs. Jones has caught passes from a pair of Heisman Trophy winners at Oklahoma. He has competed in the big games with a lot on the line. At Patterson High, he grabbed 37 passes for 495 yards and a score as a senior. Jones is expected to make an quick impact.

CB Jaylon Monroe (5-9, 175)

Thakarius Keyes is off to the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving a void that the senior will have every chance to fill. Monroe has tremendous potential. He recorded 38 tackles with a pair of interceptions and four pass breakups in 2019.

DB Larry Brooks (6-0, 200)

The junior strong safety grabbed a team-high four interceptions in 2019 with two coming at the expense of Missouri State. He chipped in with 25 tackles with a season-high six in a win against Houston. Larry Brooks is a sure tackler, meaning the aggressive front seven know they have reliable help on the back end.

CB Kyle Meyers (6-0, 174)

The grad transfer from Florida State possesses 4.4 speed. He should inject some life into the secondary, loaded with experience (42 games played for the ‘Noles). He has 76 career tackles and three picks. Meyers prepped at Holy Cross where he had four interceptions and 11 passes broken up as a senior in 2015.

WR Natorian “Deuce” Watts (6-2, 195)

He wears #2 jersey for obvious reasons. Out of Jones Community College where he had 24 catches for 416 yards last season, Watts will help try to erase the 85 total catches for 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns that departed veterans starters Darnell Mooney and Jalen McCleskey combined for last season. Watts has added 20 pounds that can help him defeat of press coverage to pressure secondaries. He brings length and athleticism to the receiver spot. Good on fade routes, he can also create via run after catch. Watts will make the difficult grab in a crowd.

CB Ajani Kerr (6-0, 190)

Another grad transfer, Kerr enters the scene from Georgia Tech where he made four starts in 29 games. He has 65 career stops and five pass breakups. He is physical with good hips in coverage.