Tuesday Practice Sees Exhilarating “Scrimmage” and Improved Play

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Day six of Fall practice has brought energy and heat to Yulman this morning. A blistering sun with zero shade meant the Wave had to face the brunt of NOLA’s summer heat, and it did not disappoint.

The practice consisted of scheme looks, 1-on-1’s for everybody, and 11-on-11’s to finish the practice strong.

Semonza Continues to Step Up

As we entered fall camp, we at On SI Tulane wondered how we’d view this QB competition after the first week of practice. Well, we have our answer, as Kadin Semonza has continued to step up and show us why he should be the guy starting week one.

Not only was Semonza accurate and smart, he took risks that’d pay off. He threw what looked like a 40-yard bomb over the top of a defending CB and a trailing S, and into the hands of Kellen Tasby, but Tasby was unable to haul it in, as it dropped through his hands for an incompletion.

On the other side of the spectrum, Dagan Bruno has seen some inconsistencies since the start of Fall, and he hasn’t “wow’d” us like he did at the Spring showcase. Trace Johnson has unfortunately hit a rough stint, and has yet to find his rhythm back. Zeon Chriss-Gremillion showed us that TU has potential for a two-quarterback offense.

“We saw some explosiveness at quarterback, whether it be running or throwing,” Coach Will Hall said about his quarterbacks during his opening statement today in the bunker, and he was right.

Zeon bust open two 30+ yard run plays this morning with both coming from the option. His legs are a killer, and his massive size combined with his athleticism make him a nightmare for opposing defenders to take down.

There’s real potential for Semonza to take the starting spot and Zeon to come in as a “wildcard” type player that can run through anybody or throw into tight spaces with a zip that he can put on the ball.

Offensive Line Sees Improved Play

Moving down to the trenches, we saw some much-improved offensive line play in both pass-pro and run blocking.

During 1-on-1’s, we scored the offense winning twelve reps to the defense’s ten though it's worth mentioning that we did not see every single rep..

It wasn’t just the one’s that they showed improvement in. During 11-on-11’s, holes were opening for RB’s Jaylin Lucas, “Mo” Turner, and Johnnie Daniels. And the pass protection was solid throughout several snaps, as Johnson and Semonza had clean pockets to navigate several times.

This did not indicate offensive dominance. The defensive line is still rowdy and powerful, and they were never down for the count. Where they really shined, was the pass rush, forcing pretty much every QB to roll out or take off running, and only Zeon saw success in that.

Bruno would see several plays blown up behind the line of scrimmage during his play with 11-on-11.

Weapons Developing, Old and New

With returning players like Anthony Brown-Stephens and Mo Turner, alongside transfers Destyn “Fat” Hill, Jaylin Lucas, and Dawson Johnson, you have a powerful offense with a variety of different tools at your disposal.

A weapon that flew under our nose, and we’ve covered him before, is Johnnie Daniels. Transferring from Mississippi State, Daniels added more depth to a room that was already deeper than the ocean. What the Hail State transfer brings to the table is a dynamic running back that can split the tackles and run through contact.

”(A) really good football player… (Daniels) changed his body, he really bought in. Him and our nutrition staff did a great job of changing his body. Johnnie (Daniels) made the decision to do that (and) he’s in much better shape. He can have a big year,” coach Hall remarked after he was asked about Daniels.

On the first play of goal-line situations, Daniels took a hand-off up the middle, broke through three guys, and extended his arms over the plane with two defenders trying to hold him back for a touchdown.

Anthony Brown-Stephens also made several plays today, including one that would blow out one of his cleats after running up the far sideline. He’s a reliable target that’s been getting open, a great compliment to LSU transfer, Fat Hill, who has been doing nothing but wow us since he put on a Tulane uniform.

The Green Wave have an off day Wednesday. Their Thursday practice, originally scheduled as a road trip to the Saints facility, is back at Yulman.

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