Tulane Green Wave Player Withdraws From Transfer Portal, Changing Positions Instead
One of the positions that the Tulane Green Wave had to focus on replenishing the depth chart for after the season was quarterback.
Their starter in 2024, redshirt freshman Darian Mensah, put his name into the transfer portal early in the process. Before they knew it, he was on the move, committing to the Duke Blue Devils for what turned out to be an incredible sum of money.
Reports eventually surfaced that Duke made Mensah the unofficial highest-paid player in college football, agreeing to a deal that will pay him $8 million.
His backup, Ty Thompson, also placed his name in the transfer portal along with veteran Kai Horton.
When their season officially ended with a loss to the Florida Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl, finding some depth at the most important position in the game was the No. 1 priority for Jon Sumrall and his staff.
They set a goal of bringing in three quarterbacks, some with previous experience as a starter at the collegiate level, and have certainly achieved it.
Kadin Semonza, formerly of the Ball State Cardinals, was the third quarterback transfer to commit to Tulane. He joins veteran T.J. Finley, a sixth-year senior who previously played with the LSU Tigers, Auburn Tigers, Texas State Bobcats and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and Donovan Leary, who comes from the Illinois Fighting Illini.
That depth chart now has another member, as Thompson has officially withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will be returning to the Green Wave for a second year.
Tulane QB Ty Thompson has withdrawn from the transfer portal, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247Sports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 7, 2025
Former top 100 recruit who threw for 191 yards and 3 TDs this season. https://t.co/v9e8ldkdNV pic.twitter.com/uAAr7JbV0H
A former top 100 recruit who began his career with the Oregon Ducks, he joined Tulane as a transfer last year.
Many expected him to become the starter in 2024, but he was beaten out by Mensah during the offseason and took over as the backup. He had a semi-regular weekly role, as the coaching staff took advantage of his rushing ability.
In the regular season, Thompson completed 6-of-11 passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns, adding 40 rushes for 243 yards and six more scores on the ground.
He received the start in the Gasparilla Bowl but struggled with a chance to showcase his skills. He completed only 11-of-29 passes for 125 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the 33-8 loss.
However, that looked to be the last time he will play quarterback.
Thompson won't be returning to bolster the team's depth under center. Instead, he will be changing positions, as Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247Sports has learned that he will be moving to tight end.
Ty Thompson is expected to make the move from quarterback to tight end for Tulane, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports https://t.co/b5YPMcfrBM
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 7, 2025
This could be a good move for Thompson, as playing time at the position will be readily available. Alex Bauman, the team's starter in 2024, transferred to the Miami Hurricanes. His backup, Reggie Brown, was part of this year's graduating class and declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.