Tulane’s Unlikely Rise: Inside the Roster Behind a College Football Playoff Underdog
Right now, Tulane football is living a moment that once felt almost unthinkable. The Green Wave, coming out of the American Athletic Conference, have pushed their way into the 2025 College Football Playoff as one of the nation’s biggest underdogs. As the No. 11 seed, they’re heading back on the road to face Ole Miss, a familiar opponent that beat them badly earlier in the season. But this time, the stakes are different, and so is the belief surrounding this team.
What makes this story even more compelling is how Tulane was built under head coach Jon Sumrall, who is coaching through his final stretch with the program before taking over at Florida. Despite knowing his future lies elsewhere, the foundation he put in place is being seen clearly now. This roster wasn’t assembled with five-star recruits or flashy rankings. Instead, it was shaped through smart recruiting, heavy use of the transfer portal, and players who fit a specific identity.
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At the center of it all is quarterback Jake Retzlaff. After transferring in from BYU, he became the engine of the offense. His production has been steady through the air, but what’s really stood out is how much damage he’s done with his legs. He’s been asked to do a little bit of everything, and that responsibility has been handled with maturity and toughness. Around him, a mix of experienced receivers and young running backs has given the offense balance, even if it doesn’t always look explosive on paper.
Defensively, the influence of Sumrall’s past stops can be felt. Several key defenders followed him from Troy or arrived through the portal, bringing familiarity with his system. Linebackers and safeties have been relied upon heavily, with tackling and pressure being emphasized over pure star power. It hasn’t always been perfect, but it’s been disciplined, physical, and timely enough to win games.
Recruiting rankings never painted Tulane as a playoff team. Most of Sumrall’s classes hovered around the middle of the national pack. But development was prioritized, and patience was rewarded. Younger players grew into major roles, transfers filled leadership gaps, and the locker room culture stayed intact even as coaching changes loomed.
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