Gabe Mocek Is quietly making noise as a walk-on running back for the Tulane Green Wave. The 6-foot, 217-pound redshirt freshman from Lafayette and St. Thomas More High School arrived as a walk-on and has spent his early college career working in a crowded backfield. Official stats show limited game action so far. During the second day of practice, observers noted ( @greenwavecolin & @DougJoubert ) Mocek’s shifty cuts, quick burst, and ability to hit holes and make defenders miss in the open field. Running backs coach feedback grouped him with the rest of a deep room that includes Jamauri McClure, Johnnie Daniels, and DJ Dugar, with one coach saying he doesn’t care who’s back there because “everybody in the running back room can play at any level.” At St. Thomas More, Mocek was a productive contributor on championship teams. Across 26 high school games he rushed 175 times for 1,248 yards (7.1 yards per carry), scored 25 touchdowns (24 rushing), and piled up 1,475 yards of total offense. He recorded four 100-yard games and finished his senior season with 709 yards on 102 carries while helping the Cougars win state titles. Listed as #20, the Louisiana product adds another physical, decisive runner to a backfield already stocked with speed and power. Walk-ons rarely force their way into significant roles on a deep roster, but Mocek’s early camp work suggests he is determined to earn snaps and contribute wherever the Green Wave need him this season. For a local kid who chose to stay in-state and compete as a preferred walk-on, the opportunity is there, if not this year possibly the future. Early returns from fall practice show he’s making the most of it. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Macho Stevenson - Texas Tech 
He committed on January 7, 2026 (after entering the portal January 2) and is now on Tulane’s 2026 roster as a redshirt junior (#21, 6’1”, 190 lbs) from Shreveport, Louisiana (Captain Shreve HS), with two years of eligibility remaining. 
Here’s why Stevenson aligns so well with the Green Wave program: 
• Local Kid and Immediate Homecoming Boost
: Hailing from Shreveport, LA (just a few hours from New Orleans), Stevenson is a true Louisiana product who brings instant fan connection and familiarity with the region. 
• Elite Athleticism and Physical Tools for Modern CB Play: 
A former consensus three-star recruit (No. 58 CB nationally, top-20 in Louisiana), Stevenson is a long, physical press corner with track-star speed, Louisiana 5A state champion in the 400m (47.18 PR), sub-11.00 100m (10.59 wind-aided), and strong 200m times. At 6’1” and 190 lbs, he has the length, frame, and explosiveness Tulane’s scheme loves for mirroring receivers on the boundary, jamming at the line, and closing on the ball in the AAC’s up-tempo passing attacks. 
• Power 4 Experience + Proven Production: 
Stevenson gained valuable reps in the Big 12 at Texas Tech (a program known for developing defensive backs). In his redshirt freshman year (2024), he appeared in 12 games with 3 starts, posting 23 tackles (13 solo), 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble, including key plays in conference games. He contributed on special teams as well. Even with limited snaps in 2025, the experience against high-level competition gives him a leg up as an immediate competitor for playing time in Tulane’s rebuilt secondary. 
• Starting Potential and Upside in a Reloading DB Room
: With recent departures in the secondary, Tulane needed athletic, experienced starting pieces who can step in right away. Stevenson’s size/speed combo, ball skills, and physicality make him a high-upside addition alongside other portal pickups (like Anthony Rogers). Coaches have already praised his smarts, athleticism, and potential to make an impact in spring 2026 practices. 
• Multi-Sport Background and Coachability: 
High school standout in football (transitioned from WR to CB), basketball, and track, the kind of versatile athlete Tulane’s staff excels at developing into NFL-caliber players. 
In short, Macho Stevenson is a smart, high-motor portal win: a Louisiana native with P4 reps, elite speed, and the physical tools to thrive in the Green Wave defense. He helps stabilize and elevate the secondary while adding that hometown energy. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Orion Saunders 6-3/180 Concord, MA 
Scouting Report: 
Elite Length & Physicality: 81” wingspan + 6’3.5”+ frame allows him to blanket receivers and high-point balls. 
Athleticism & Versatility: Track pedigree + two-way production = scheme flexibility (outside CB, nickel, safety, returns). 
Football IQ & Competitiveness: Plays fast, physical, and with relentless motor; “certified STUD” per regional evaluators with immediate collegiate impact potential. 
Ball Skills: Natural hands and leaping ability make him a turnover creator. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

WR Seth Gale The Baton Rouge product and preferred walk-on wide receiver, is turning heads in Tulane’s fall camp. The 5-foot-10, 171-pound redshirt sophomore from University Lab High School has spent his first two seasons mostly on the fringe of the Green Wave roster. He appeared in a handful of games, once against Temple in 2024 and twice late in 2025 (Temple and Charlotte) while earning Academic All-Conference recognition. Production on the field remained limited. That may start to change under head coach Will Hall. In the early days of 2026 fall practice, Gale has repeatedly earned praise for his speed and playmaking. Observers noted him beating defenders in one-on-ones, hauling in intermediate throws, and showing strong yards-after-catch ability on short routes and posts. (@greenwavecolin & @DougJoubert) Freshman quarterback Trace Johnson connected with him on a deep ball during 11-on-11 work, and Gale has also taken reps as a punt returner alongside Jaylin Lucas. Gale arrived at Tulane as a preferred walk-on after a productive high school career at U-High in Baton Rouge. He was a multi-year contributor who earned All-District and All-State recognition as a receiver and helped set school marks for receiving touchdowns. His track background shows in the way he separates and finishes plays in the open field. At a listed 5-10, Gale will never be the biggest body in a Green Wave wide receiver room but what he does offer is pure speed, local familiarity with the program, and the grind mentality that walk-ons bring. With the 2026 season approaching and competition for snaps ongoing, Gale is making a case that he can be more than a depth piece or special-teams contributor. For a Louisiana kid who chose to stay home and work, the early returns from fall camp suggest the opportunity is there. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

CB 
Anthony Rogers - Nicholls  
He committed in early January 2026 and is now listed on Tulane’s 2026 roster as a redshirt sophomore (#12, 5’11”, 175 lbs) from Laurel, Mississippi (Laurel HS), with three years of eligibility remaining. 
Here’s why Rogers aligns so well with the Green Wave program: 
• Immediate Depth and Production for a Reloading Secondary: Tulane lost significant experience and talent in the defensive backfield after the 2025 season (graduations like Bailey Despanie and Isaiah Wadsworth, plus transfers including Jahiem Johnson, Javion White, and others). Rogers steps in as a proven, productive player right away. As a redshirt freshman at Nicholls (FCS), he recorded 55 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups, showing he can contribute in run support, coverage, and ball production. He’s already viewed as an “immediate candidate to compete for playing time” in 2026. 
• Elite Athletic Traits Tailored for Modern CB Play: His measurables include a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical leap. These give him the speed and explosiveness for Tulane’s defensive scheme and demands for mirroring receivers, closing on the ball, and making plays on the perimeter. Scouting notes highlight his strong ball skills, ability to track the football well in coverage, and maintaining speed through the catch point, exactly what Tulane needs in an up-tempo AAC passing league. 
• Tackling and Versatility: At 5’11” and 175 lbs, he’s compact and physical, not just a coverage specialist. His tackle total proves he can hold up against the run and in the slot/nickel packages, which fits Tulane’s aggressive, multifaceted defense under the current staff (including cornerbacks coach JJ McCleskey and defensive passing game coordinator). 
• Proximity and Development Opportunity: Coming from Mississippi (a few hours from New Orleans), the move is a natural geographic and cultural step up to FBS/AAC competition. Tulane has a strong reputation for developing defensive backs into NFL-caliber players, and Rogers has expressed excitement about the coaching staff making him feel valued and supported. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Safety 
Myrone Jean 6-4/178 Lake Wales, FL 
Scouting Report: 4.54 Forty 
Rare Length & Range: 6’4” frame at safety gives him a huge coverage radius and leaping ability in the deep half/third. 
Athleticism & Speed: 4.54 forty plus track pedigree = elite closing burst and open-field fluidity. 
Playmaking & Physicality: Strong ball skills, instincts to create turnovers, and willingness to deliver hits, excels in run support for a safety, could see him being a solid Spear with Tulane. 
Bottom line on upside: Jean’s rare combo of length, speed, ball skills, and physicality is exactly what modern defenses covet in a free safety. He’s still raw (typical for a late-rising 3-star), but the traits are star potential. Tulane got a steal with immediate special-teams impact potential and starting upside by 2027–2028. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

LB 
Dalton Hughes - USA 
(6’3”, 227 lbs, redshirt senior linebacker from Tupelo, MS) is a veteran transfer addition who fits seamlessly into Tulane’s 2026 defense as a South Alabama import. He committed around January 2026, and has already made an impact in spring practices and fall camp under head coach Will Hall and defensive coordinator Tayler Polk. 
Why Dalton fits. 
• Scheme versatility: In the hybrid front, Tulane’s defense (coordinated by Tayler Polk) features multiple looks with stand-up edge players and hybrid “Bandit”-type roles that blend outside linebacker duties with pass-rush responsibilities. Hughes projects perfectly as an OLB/edge setter: he’s an effective gap-shooter with burst, bend, and hand usage to disrupt in the backfield (PFF graded him as South Alabama’s No. 2 pass rusher in 2025 despite limited snaps). He also brings reliable run defense as a pursuit tackler in space and can drop into coverage or play inside in sub packages, exactly the kind of flexible, high-motor piece the staff targeted to replace portal departures and add depth to a relatively young LB room. 
• Immediate veteran experience and production: A four-year contributor who appeared in 38 games (with key starts in 2025), Hughes brings 67 career tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery. In 2025 alone he posted a career-high 40 tackles (including 10 in one game vs. Texas State) while staying healthy and flashing more as a pass-rush threat. After battling injuries earlier in his career, he’s now a durable, high-assist-rate tackler and special-teams stalwart who can mentor younger players while contributing right away on defense and special teams. 
• Proven playmaker in spring ball: Hughes has already flashed in Tulane’s 2026 spring practices. In the first scrimmage he scooped a fumble and returned it for what would have been a touchdown (whistle stopped the play). He’s been part of a stable LB group that has multiple guys who can start, exactly the veteran presence Hall has highlighted as key to the unit’s development. 
• Regional ties and culture fit: A Mississippi native from Tupelo, Hughes has natural connections to the program: He visited campus, was blown away by the facilities, coaches, and most importantly, Tulane’s winning culture after four straight AAC title game appearances and a top-25 finish. He canceled other visits (including Southern Miss) because “Tulane wins games” and he wanted that for his final college season. He’s also a high-character scholar-athlete (Campbell Trophy nominee) who fits the program’s blue-collar, high-motor identity. 
In short, Dalton Hughes is a low-risk, high-character portal win who plugs immediate depth needs, adds proven edge/pass-rush upside, and embodies the winning mentality Will Hall is building. He’s the type of experienced, versatile leader who helps keep Tulane’s defense potentially be elite in the AAC for 2026. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X