Well whatever that performance was the Saints sure hope they don’t have again for a long time. It was the type of game where it felt like they couldn’t really manage to do much of the little things right. Sure they had a couple nice moments here and there like Rattlers 25 yard throw to Moreno-Cooper but this game was terrible all around. No other way to put it. Let’s look at some of the key points I was looking for in the game. The backup quarterback battle just got even murkier. After Zach Wilson shined in the first preseason game but unfortunately had a complete 180 of a performance against the Rams. I don’t think Wilson had much help around him today but he did not do enough to have us overlook the circumstances. Rattler was watching this from the sidelines and knew his turn was coming to make up ground in the backup battle. His first drive ended in a 100 yard pick six to completely bury the Saints on the scoreboard. Once you’re down 27 points in the third quarter barring a miracle comeback there’s not much positive merit in individual performance for the rest of the game. Following up the QB battle was the pecking order battle in the receiver room. But because of how the offense performed today we got no answers there. We’ll have to wait till next week against the cowboys to see if we get any clear answers before the rosters are trimmed down. I wanted to keep an eye out for the RB3 battle in this game and unfortunately no one stood out in a positive fashion in this game. Ty Chandler was someone who had a big moment in the last game with a long kickoff return but all that positive momentum he created came to screeching halt. Ty had a lackluster day running the ball and had a brutal fumble that was recovered by the Rams while in the red zone. Just can’t have those two things happen and expect to win a job with so little opportunity left. I came away impressed with the corner depth after the Jaguars game last week and was looking forward to see how’d they look against better competition from the Rams. I won’t single out any one player specifically here but ultimately the defense as a whole just really had no answers for the Rams today. The Rams were moving the ball at will today, didn’t matter if it was on the ground or in the air. The Rams could do whatever they wanted and there should be some concern even if it’s just a preseason game after a performance like that. Lastly was my interest in the kicking battle given Smyth’s uneven track record. Unfortunately the Saints did not give the kickers much if any real work today. Brown got the only chance of the day to kick a FG at the end of the game and missed a 39 yarder. If this keeps up the Saints might have to go in a whole other direction at the kicker position before the regular season starts. I won’t give the Saints an excuse for a poor performance like this. Preseason or not failing to execute at the level they did today is unacceptable and will have to be a lot different in the last preseason game if they want to bring some positive momentum into the regular season. Moving forward though as it’s been noted by others the Saints looked tired today. I don’t believe we will see the Saints schedule two joint practices between two preseason game over a ten day span again. Let’s hope for a more competitive game next week for the preseason finale against the Cowboys.

The second preseason game is shaping up to be quite the interesting one as there is numerous position battles being waged. These position battles are being fought over depth chart positioning or for the couple of roster spots up for grabs. Here is what I am looking out for in the preseason matchup against the Rams. The battle to be the backup quarterback behind Shough. Entering training camp I didn’t see this becoming a legitimate battle but give credit to Zach Wilson for taking advantage of his opportunities while Spencer Rattler has not done enough to cement himself as the backup thus far. Zach Wilson made some good reads and throws in the previous game showing he can move the offense down the field into scoring position. Moving the offense down the field was something Spencer Rattler was not able to do and will need to in this game if he wants to keep this a competition heading into the final preseason game against the Cowboys. This battle could come down to the wire so buckle up over these next two games. Up next I am keeping an eye on is the WR depth chart battle. With Tyson injured there is a good chance another roster spot opened up for another wide receiver to make the roster. But not only that because of the injury there is increased opportunity for these young wide receiver to make a bigger impact early on in their careers than expected. I’ll be looking to see if they can take advantage of that or if the Saints might have to add a veteran to the mix to bring in some experience. Speaking of experience, it appears as though the experience Charlie Smyth got last year has not translated into consistent results quite yet which leaves the door open Tanner Brown to potentially win the kicking job should Smyth continue to miss on his opportunities. This is a position where it’s been in a flux since Will Lutz was moved the team would greatly benefit from some consistency and reliability after not having for a couple years. However, the experience Martin Emerson Jr and Jayden Price have showed up in a big way in the Jaguars game. I’m looking to see if they can make the same kind of impact in this game as they did in the last because if so I think the Saints would feel a lot better about the cornerback position heading into the season as they probably did heading into training camp. Lastly with the news of Alvin Kamara being out for a few weeks with an injury of his own I’d like to see if any of the other running backs on the roster can standout and make a case for themselves to be RB3. Last week Ty Chandler had the kickoff return which set up Audric Estime for the touchdown so I give them the lead on trying to secure a roster spot as of right now. But there is still time for someone else to make a case over these next two games to widen the competition. Looking at the game in general I’m pretty excited to see how the team looks versus the Rams. The Rams have been a Super Bowl contender for a while and will prove to be a good litmus test for the Saints to see where they are in their preparation for the regular season. It’s one thing to look good against the Jaguars but another if they look good against the Rams.

K 
Jackson Courville- Ohio State 
He committed on January 12, 2026 (after entering the portal January 2) and is now on Tulane’s 2026 roster as a redshirt junior (#96, 5’10”, 185 lbs) from Centerville, OH (Centerville HS). 
Here’s why Courville aligns so well with the Green Wave program: 
• Proven Leg Strength and Clutch MAC Production
: In two seasons as Ball State’s starting kicker (2023-24), he went 26-of-34 on field goals (76.5%) and 54-of-56 on extra points. Highlights include a game-winning 52-yard FG as time expired vs. Northern Illinois (2024), his career long, plus multiple makes from 50+ yards. He was automatic inside 40 yards and showed the power and accuracy Tulane needs after the departure of standout Patrick Durkin. 
• P4 Experience and Fresh Start
: After battling for the job at Ohio State in 2025 (limited to just 4 XPs in one appearance), he brings valuable Big Ten reps and camp competition experience. Now at Tulane, he’s locked in a competitive spring battle with Cooper Helmke and Zach Marini. 
• Immediate Depth and Competition in a Reloading Unit
: Tulane aggressively addressed special teams via the portal after losing Durkin. Courville arrives as a high-upside veteran with two years of eligibility left, ready to compete for the starting job and provide reliable kicking depth right away. 
In short, Jackson Courville is a smart, high-character portal pickup who brings proven production, big-leg power, and built-in chemistry with the offense to a position group that needed reinforcements. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Dagan Bruno: The Local Walk-On Made Some Noise in Tulane’s Quarterback Room during Spring Camp Dagan Bruno is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt sophomore quarterback wearing No. 14 for the Tulane Green Wave. A Preferred Walk-On from New Orleans and John Curtis Christian School, the hometown product has steadily transformed from scout-team specialist into a legitimate competitor in the quarterback room under head coach Will Hall. Bruno arrived at Tulane as a late addition to the 2024 class after a standout multi-sport career at John Curtis. As a junior in 2022, he helped lead the Patriots to a Division I Select state championship and was named the most outstanding player in the title game. In his senior season he completed over 72 percent of his passes for 1,504 yards with 13 touchdowns and just one interception while adding 527 rushing yards and eight scores. A true three-sport athlete who also excelled in basketball and baseball, Bruno maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. At Tulane he redshirted in 2024 and spent the bulk of his first two seasons running the scout-team offense, particularly the triple-option looks used by Army and Navy. His experience in John Curtis’s split-back veer made him uniquely valuable in preparing the defense. Playing time was limited, and the lack of consistent reps tested his confidence. Everything changed in spring 2026. Bruno forced his way into the conversation with accurate, decisive play. In the final spring scrimmage he went 5-of-5 for 69 yards, capping the day with a perfect 40-yard touchdown strike down the sideline to Antwaun Parham. Coach Will Hall was emphatic in his praise: “You can win with Dagan Bruno. This is not some feel-good story anymore… Dagan can play. I love his competitive spirit. He’s a tough guy, a winner and a leader.” Bruno has made it clear he wants to shed the “option quarterback” label. “A lot of people tried to push me into being the option quarterback guy,” he said. “I’m trying to break away from that a little bit and become a real quarterback that can go out there and throw the ball around, make the right checks and just do everything right.” Heading into fall camp and the 2026 season, Bruno sits in a competitive four-man race alongside Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, Kadin Semonza, and true freshman Trace Johnson. While the early days of camp have been a mixed bag for him after his strong spring, his accuracy, athleticism, toughness, and local knowledge continue to make him a valuable piece of the room. Whether he earns the starting job, serves as a key backup, or provides package plays, the John Curtis product has already proven he belongs. For a preferred walk-on who stayed home and kept working when the spotlight was elsewhere, Dagan Bruno’s rise is a classic New Orleans football story, one that Green Wave fans should watch closely. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Colin O’Carroll is a preferred walk-on offensive lineman for the Tulane Green Wave. The Tampa native and Berkeley Prep product is listed as a redshirt sophomore (No. 75) at 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds on the 2026 roster. High school O’Carroll played offensive line at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida. In his senior season (2023), the Buccaneers captured the program’s first FHSAA Class 2M state championship, upsetting previously undefeated and nationally ranked Miami Norland 28-20 in Tallahassee. He also competed in track and field (shot put, discus, and javelin). In February 2024, he signed with Tulane as a preferred walk-on during Berkeley Prep’s winter signing day ceremony. His mother, (Berkeley Prep Class of 1984 and school Hall of Famer), serves as the school’s athletic director. An older brother, Aidan, previously played offensive line at Lehigh. College career so far O’Carroll joined Tulane for the 2024 season. As a true freshman he saw limited action, earning playing time against Louisiana. In 2025 he appeared in all 14 games, primarily on special teams, and recorded a 10-yard kickoff return at UTSA. He earned Academic All-Conference recognition. By the 2026 roster update he had added size (listed at 291 pounds) while remaining a depth piece on the offensive line. EA Sports College Football ratings have slotted him at center in past iterations. Role and trajectory As a preferred walk-on, O’Carroll’s path is the classic grind: contribute on special teams, develop in the weight room and practice, and compete for offensive line snaps in a deep Tulane room. His combination of high school championship experience, academic standing, and physical growth positions him as a reliable depth option and potential contributor if opportunities open along the interior or on special teams units. O’Carroll’s story fits the mold of many successful Green Wave walk-ons who earn their way through consistency and buy-in under the program’s culture. With eligibility remaining and continued development, he remains a player worth watching as Tulane builds its offensive line depth for the 2026 season and beyond. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Chris Rodgers is poised for a true breakout season as a senior linebacker for the Tulane Green Wave in 2026. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Corinth, Mississippi native enters the year as one of the American Conference’s most intriguing defensive players. After a 2025 campaign that announced him as a difference-maker, the former Troy transfer now carries preseason first-team All-Conference recognition from Phil Steele, second-team nods from Athlon Sports and the Pro Football Network, and a spot on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list. Those accolades are not participation trophies. They reflect a player whose production, athleticism, and development trajectory point to an even bigger 2026. From Raw Athlete to Productive Starter Rodgers arrived at college as a three-star prospect out of Corinth High School, where he dominated on both sides of the ball. As a senior he recorded 109 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, six pass breakups, and five forced fumbles while also rushing for 653 yards and 13 touchdowns (plus two receiving scores). He helped lead the Warriors to a 14-1 record, earned first-team all-state honors, and was named MAC Region 1-4A Defensive MVP. Track work as a standout sprinter added another layer to his explosive athletic profile. He began his college career at Troy in 2023, seeing limited action (roughly 15-16 tackles). After following Jon Sumrall to Tulane in 2024, he contributed as a rotational piece: 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, and a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown across 13 games. The real jump came in 2025. When starting linebacker Dickson Agu suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in conference play, Rodgers stepped into a larger role. He finished with 80 tackles (51 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass breakup in 14 games with nine starts. He ranked second on the team in tackles and delivered signature moments, including a career-high 10 tackles against Army and a pick-six in the American Championship Game victory over North Texas. Head coach Will Hall has described the evolution clearly: Rodgers was once “just a great athlete chasing the ball.” By the end of 2025 he was a polished starter making plays at a high level. Teammate Jack Tchienchou put it more colorfully after watching Rodgers’ high school film: “I saw him taking heads off and running for 40-yard touchdowns, so I knew we were dealing with a freak athlete.” Why 2026 Is Set Up for More Several factors converge to make this the year Rodgers fully breaks out. Experience and opportunity. In 2025 he learned the position on the job after stepping in for an injured starter. This year he enters as a proven, full-time starter with a full offseason of refinement under defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Tayler Polk (who was retained and promoted) and Hall. Dickson Agu’s return from injury creates a strong tandem and depth that should keep Rodgers fresh, but the snaps and responsibilities will still be there. Athletic traits meeting technique. Rodgers still possesses the speed, range, and closing ability that made him a dual-threat high school star and track standout. He has now layered on better instincts, gap discipline, coverage awareness and size/strenght. That combination shows up in his ability to make plays in the backfield and create turnovers (two career interceptions returned for touchdowns). Preseason practices have already featured him setting an early physical tone. Preseason recognition and leadership. The Phil Steele first-team selection and Shrine Bowl watch-list inclusion signal that evaluators see a player ready for a larger stage. Rodgers also represents continuity and culture. He had opportunities to leave during the coaching transition but chose to stay, citing Hall’s promotion and Polk’s retention as key factors. “It was a no-brainer,” Rodgers said. He has spoken about wanting to win another championship and go further in the playoffs. Hall has praised both Rodgers and Tchienchou for their leadership, community involvement, and ability to lift teammates. Supporting environment. Tulane returns significant defensive experience, including its top two tacklers from 2025. The linebacker room has depth and athleticism. A scheme that values versatile, playmaking linebackers should continue to put Rodgers in position to produce. The pieces are in place. Rodgers has the production foundation from 2025, the physical tools that always stood out, the experience of learning under fire, and the stability of a coaching staff that knows him. For a player who has steadily climbed from rotational contributor to conference-level starter, the next step, consistent All-Conference production and national attention, looks well within reach in 2026. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

League Trends That Could Benefit Zion Williamson