Tulane’s long-term future at quarterback looks bright with Justin Ibieta’s commitment

For you Tulane football fans, here are some numbers for you: 9, 11, 12, 9, and 7.

What do those digits represent?

That is the Green Wave’s ranking in the American Athletic Conference in passing yards since Tulane joined the league in 2014.

If you ever wondered what Tulane could do with a high powered passing attack to go along with a solid running game and good defense, that time may be fast approaching.

It could happen this season under senior quarterback Justin McMillan.

When McMillan entered the starting lineup, the trajectory of the Green Wave’s 2018 season changed. He is also responsible for the best two minutes, 11 seconds that Tulane football has produced in quite some time.

In that span, McMillan drove the Green Wave for seven plays, covering 71 yards and throwing a TD pass followed by winning two point conversion against Navy in the regular season finale. Tulane became bowl eligible.

It will be interesting to see if McMillan can raise his game. But whether the LSU transfer does or does not, Green Wave head coach Willie Fritz may have his replacement in the class of 2020.

Last week, Tulane received a commitment from Country Day quarterback Justin Ibieta.

The 6-foot-4, 225 pounder isn’t listed as one of the top recruits in Louisiana in the class of 2020. That is a head-scratcher.

Ibieta’s high school head football coach Joe Chango said the fact that Ibieta played baseball and basketball, along with football, and that he didn’t go to summer football camps, may have affected his recruiting.

“Sometimes that’s the way the market works,” said Chango. “I am an economics teacher, and I get it. Sometimes there’s a market for guys, and sometimes not, and because he was a three sport athlete, he did not get himself out there as much.”

Ibieta said he didn’t want to take time this summer to go to camps.

“I love the coaching staff, and this summer I didn’t want to hope for another offer,” said Ibieta.

Ibieta has two very big Tulane connections. His sister Jenna plays volleyball for the Green Wave, and his father Juan pitched for the Tulane baseball team.

Yet, Justin said the biggest selling point was new Green Wave offensive coordinator Mike Hall.

“He was one of the main reasons I chose to go there,” said Ibieta. “I like him. He’s been great to me, I feel like his offense will help me, and we can win a lot of games.”

Ibieta’s 2018 season was impressive. He accounted for 55 touchdowns in the regular season and 16 more in the playoffs. Even more impressive was his ability to lead his team to wins over Newman, St. Charles Catholic and eventual Class 2A state champion Amite.

His work in those games, especially in the fourth quarter was impressive.

At Jesuit as offensive coordinator, Chango coached Trey LaForge, and at Country Day he has coached Christian Kerut and Ibieta.

“In 22 years of coaching, as I look back on our great teams, we had a great quarterback on all of ’em,” said Chango.

No one would identify Tulane’s very recent quarterback play as great.

Several factors, including some subpar pass protection, has affected the club’s passing numbers in the recent past.

However, a long term solution for the Green Wave’s quarterback issue may have been found just a few miles from their Uptown campus.

WGNO- Justin Ibieta commits to Tulane. #Cajuns @WGNOsports @CCSdaily @justinibieta13 pic.twitter.com/nwWGJ9CRpP

— Metairie Park Country Day Boys Basketball (@CountryDaybball) May 24, 2019