What the Derik Queen + Zion Williamson pairing says about the confused methodology of the Pelicans front office.

TE 
Vance Bolyard- Duke 
Vance Bolyard fits Tulane as a 6’5”, 240-pound prototypical tight end with elite blocking pedigree, mismatch athleticism in the passing game, and untapped receiving upside who immediately shores up a depleted TE room while adding special teams depth and physicality to the run game. 
He’s a rising redshirt junior transfer from Duke (ACC) who committed in January 2026, via the portal. A three-star high school recruit (No. 23 TE nationally per ESPN) out of Northern Guilford HS in Greensboro, NC, he has multiple years of eligibility remaining. 
Athletic Profile and Scheme Fit: Tulane’s offense (under head coach Will Hall and tight ends coach Tyler Spotts-Orgeron) relies on tight ends who excel in-line as blockers to support the run game, while providing mismatch opportunities in the pass game, especially in the red zone and on intermediate routes. Bolyard is a perfect scheme match: 
• Size and blocking prowess: At 6’5”/240, he’s a “high-level blocker” who isn’t afraid to mess someone up in the run game. His frame and physicality make him an ideal in-line end who can dominate at the point of attack. 
• Mismatch athleticism: Bolyard describes himself as a “mismatch” weapon, “If you get a linebacker on me, I’m too fast, and if you get a safety or a corner on me, I can bully them.” Scouts note flashes as a pass catcher on tape, giving him upside as a move TE or flexed option (Y-TE). 
• Versatility and intangibles: Multi-sport HS background (basketball and lacrosse) plus proven special teams contributor at Duke (valuable member in 2025) add immediate starter potential and football IQ. Tulane values TEs who can contribute across phases, and his frame/speed combo fits perfectly into their explosive concepts. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

OT 
Aiden Martin 6-5/295 Tulsa, OK 
Aiden Martin is a promising offensive tackle prospect from the Class of 2026. 
Hailing from Berryhill High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Martin brings a solid frame and multi-sport background to the table, making him an intriguing developmental piece for college programs. 
He has experience playing both offensive and defensive line positions during his high school career, showcasing versatility along the trenches. 
His athletic profile is enhanced by participation in basketball and shot put throws, which contribute to his overall coordination and explosiveness. 
Long-limbed with a projectable frame ideal for an offensive tackle. He has the length to engage defenders at the point of attack and the base to anchor against bull rushes. 
His multi-sport involvement hints at above-average lateral quickness and footwork for his size. 
Scouting Report: 
Versatility: Experience on both sides of the ball allows him to understand defensive techniques, which translates to better anticipation in pass sets and run schemes. He shows good initial quickness off the snap and the ability to mirror edge rushers. 
Frame and Upside: At 6-5 with long arms, Martin has the ideal build for a college tackle. He can add 20-30 lbs without losing mobility, projecting well in a zone-blocking system. 
Athleticism: Basketball background provides fluid movement and balance, helping in second-level blocking and recovering against speed rushers. His highlights demonstrate solid leverage and hand placement in drive blocks. 
Motor and Toughness: Plays with a high effort level, finishing blocks through the whistle. Effective in pulling assignments and combo blocks in the run game. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

HOUSTON, Texas - If there was one message SLU wanted to send at the 2026 Southland Conference Opening Drive, it was simple: the Lions aren't rebuilding. They're reloading. Representing SLU at media day were head coach Frank Scelfo, starting quarterback Kyle Lowe, and senior defensive lineman Peyton Anderson. Across multiple interviews and media sessions, one theme consistently emerged above all else: culture. Whether discussing leadership, recruiting, player development, or expectations for the upcoming season, the trio repeatedly returned to the same idea. At SLU, everyone is expected to protect the team, push one another, and focus on the little details that ultimately separate good teams from championship teams. A New-Look Team With Familiar Expectations SLU enters the 2026 season looking much different than last year's squad after replacing a senior class of 26 players. Despite the younger roster, Scelfo made it clear that the expectations of the program haven't changed. "You can expect to see an explosive, talented team," Scelfo said, adding that fans will see more players rotating into meaningful roles thanks to the depth the coaching staff has built. The Lions have posted the conference's best record over the past two seasons, and Scelfo believes the next wave of talent is ready to continue that success. Building Through Louisiana During the coaches' roundtable, Scelfo doubled down on SLU's recruiting philosophy. While NIL has become a valuable tool to fill immediate needs, he emphasized that high school recruiting remains the heartbeat of the program. SLU signed 28 players in its most recent recruiting class, the largest class in the Southland Conference, knowing today's college football landscape means some players may eventually move on through the transfer portal. "We'll continue recruiting high school players," Scelfo explained. "We might lose them after three or four years, but that's just the nature of the beast." Unlike many conference rivals that recruit heavily in Texas, SLU continues to build primarily from Louisiana, particularly Southeast Louisiana. As the easternmost football member of the Southland Conference, the Lions have found success by keeping local talent close to home. That philosophy became even more relevant during a discussion about recruiting footprints. East Texas A&M head coach Clint Dolezel praised Texas as the premier recruiting state in the country, referring to it as the "king" of high school football recruiting. He also highlighted Florida and California while failing to even acknowledge Louisiana. Dolezel went on to tout the benefits of hosting the Southland Conference Media Day in Houston, all but suggesting Louisiana schools should be thankful for the opportunity to recruit in Texas' backyard. That sentiment didn't sit uncontested. Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle quickly came to Louisiana's defense. "Per capita there is no more passion and talent than the state of Louisiana," McCorkle said, adding that Louisiana has produced more NFL players per capita over the past 40 years than any other state. For a program like SLU that has built its roster around Louisiana talent, the exchange reinforced the recruiting identity Scelfo has embraced. The results only speak for themselves. While ETAMU has managed only 5 wins over the past 2 seasons, SLU has won 13 over that same timespan along with an FCS Playoff berth this past year. Protect the Team No phrase was repeated more throughout the day than "Protect the Team." Lowe and Anderson each described a locker room where accountability isn't optional. Teammates challenge one another daily on the practice field, in the weight room, in the classroom, and away from football. "Hammond fans are extremely passionate and supportive," Lowe said. "The team feels that support, and we want to play for the people who have our backs." Anderson echoed that sentiment from a different perspective. As a St. Amant High School alumnus, growing up just 30 minutes from Hammond, he said SLU has always felt like home. He is thankful that his friends and family have the opportunity to see him play every week he's in Strawberry Stadium. "The culture in our locker room is a team that's bought in," Anderson said. "When you have a team with that passion that's willing to push each other outside their comfort zones, good things are bound to happen." Both players repeatedly emphasized that "Protect the Team" isn't just a slogan. It's something they strive to live every day, whether on the football field, in the classroom, or throughout the community. The Details Matter During a one-on-one interview later in the day, Scelfo expanded on what separates this team. He pointed to players like Lowe, who has already earned his MBA in five years, and Anderson, who will be completing an engineering degree in just four years. "They're detail-oriented people," Scelfo explained, saying that attention to detail translates directly to success on the football field. That same mindset was echoed by Anderson during his own interview. "The little things will be the difference maker," he said. "If you're comfortable, you're not great." For Anderson, success comes from embracing his role, taking pride in the details, and continually improving year after year. Loyalty Still Matters One of the more refreshing storylines surrounding SLU is player loyalty. In an era where the transfer portal has reshaped college football, Anderson is entering his fourth season with the Lions. 4th Round NFL Draft pick Kaleb Proctor of the Arizona Cardinals also spent four years in Hammond. Sources have indicated that Anderson had opportunities to transfer, including reported interest from a touted SEC program, but chose to stay at SLU and finish what he started. That decision speaks volumes about the culture inside the program. For recruits considering where to spend their college careers, SLU is selling more than playing time. The Lions are selling development, stability, and a program that invests in its players both on and off the field. Eyes on the Prize Coming off another successful season, Lowe believes the Lions still have another level to reach. "We want to get over the hump," he said. "Win the conference and make a deep playoff run." Personally, Lowe has focused his offseason on improving his accuracy, becoming a stronger leader, distributing the football more effectively, and continuing to develop both his strength and mobility. Those goals mirror the team's mentality as a whole. Every interview throughout the day circled back to improving the small things, trusting one another, and continuing to build the culture that has made SLU one of the Southland Conference's most consistent programs. A Program Built to Compete Scelfo also took time to highlight what makes Saturdays in Hammond, America so special. From the atmosphere surrounding Strawberry Stadium to one of the conference's premier tailgating scenes, he described game day at SLU as one of the most unique experiences in the Southland. He also praised the league itself. "Southland football is exciting," Scelfo said, pointing to the level of talent throughout the conference and the quality of competition fans can expect every weekend. If Opening Drive served as an early glimpse into the 2026 season, SLU made one thing abundantly clear. The Lions may be younger than they've been in recent years, but inside the program, expectations haven't changed. The culture remains intact, the leadership is in place, and the goal is the same as it's been all along: compete for a Southland Conference championship and make a deep run in the FCS Playoffs. Photo Credit: @LionUpFootball on X

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced today that Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Director, Dr. Bryan Maggard, has accepted a new role as the Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Missouri. Maggard, who has been the director of athletics since 2017, has helped lead an athletic program that generated 21 Sun Belt Conference titles and 23 trips to the NCAA postseason across various sports. It was under his leadership that former football head coach Billy Napier, current football head coach Michael Desormeaux, former softball head coach Gerry Glasco, and current baseball head coach Matt Deggs were appointed. In the 2021-2022 athletic year under all of these coaches, Louisiana was the only program in the country to win a conference championship in all three sports, as well as winning a bowl game. In football, Maggard’s leadership brought Billy Napier to Louisiana in 2018, where he finished 40-12 overall (27-5 in the Sun Belt) and led the Cajuns to the Sun Belt Conference Championship in all four seasons, as well as winning multiple bowl games. After Napier left for Florida, Maggard facilitated Michael Desormeaux’s appointment to football head coach, where the Cajuns continued to appear in bowl games, as well as a Sun Belt Conference Championship in 2024. Overall, Maggard’s football program has appeared in eight consecutive bowl games (a streak currently ongoing), an accomplishment only five other schools in the country (Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Ohio State) currently have. In softball, Maggard was responsible for bringing Gerry Glasco to lead the program in 2018. Glasco led the Lady Cajuns to winning the regular season title and making the conference championship final in all six of his full seasons (2020 season nof included due to it being canceled due to COVID) at Louisiana, winning four conference titles, and making the NCAA postseason in all of his seasons. Glasco ended up moving to Texas Tech in 2024. In baseball, Maggard appointed current baseball coach Matt Deggs as the team’s head coach in following the 2019 season after UL’s former long time head coach, Tony Robichaux, passed away. Deggs led the Cajuns to four NCAA postseason appearances in the last six years (his 2020 season is not included as it was canceled due to COVID). Maggard has earned multiple prestigious national accolades during his tenure at Louisiana, including an appointment to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee. He also cultivated a culture of civic engagement, resulting in Louisiana student-athletes leading the Sun Belt Conference in community service hours for four consecutive years and ranking second nationally in 2023-24. Current Deputy Athletics and Executive Director of the RCAF, Trey Frazier, has been appointed as the interim athletic director for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The program has announced that a national search for a new Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Director will begin in the coming months. 

OL Andre Amos Jr 6-5/317 
Andre Amos Jr. (also known as AJ Amos) is an interior offensive lineman from Germantown High School in Germantown, Tennessee, class of 2026. 
He initially committed to UAB but decommitted on November 27, 2025, before flipping to Tulane on December 3, 2025, during his signing day ceremony. 
Amos chose Tulane over other offers, citing the program’s family atmosphere and development opportunities. 
He is a multi-position lineman who played guard and defensive tackle in high school, showcasing physicality and leadership on a Germantown team that finished 7-4 in the 2025 season. 
Amos has leadership qualities noted as influential among teammates. He projects as an interior offensive lineman at the college level. 
Scouting Report: 
Power and Anchor: Massive frame provides a strong base to handle interior pressure; excels at absorbing contact and maintaining leverage in the run game. 
Versatility: Experience at guard and defensive tackle shows adaptability; could contribute in multiple line spots early in college. 
Leadership: Natural leader who motivates teammates; signing day speech highlighted his maturity and team-first mentality. 
Physicality: Aggressive in engagements, with potential for dominant run blocking once refined. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

WR Bredell Richardson- UCF 
Bredell Richardson fits Tulane as a versatile, high-upside WR with four-star pedigree, polished route-running, elite ball skills (contested catch specialist), YAC explosiveness, and special teams value who adds immediate depth and competition to a revamped receiver room. 
He’s a 6-1, 190-pound redshirt sophomore transfer from UCF (Big 12) who committed in mid-January 2026 via the portal (entered Dec. 17, 2025). A four-star recruit (247Sports #93 WR nationally, top-370 overall) out of Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, FL, he has three years of eligibility left. Athletic Profile and Scheme Fit: Tulane prioritizes receivers who win with precise routes, create separation, haul in contested catches, generate yards after catch on short-to-intermediate throws, and stretch the field while contributing on special teams. Richardson checks every box as a developmental piece with proven high school production and P4 experience. 
Route-running and separation: Clean, precise routes (especially outside) that allow him to get open quickly, ideal for Tulane’s underneath and intermediate concepts. 
Ball skills and physicality: Excellent hands, body control, and leaping ability; he excels in 50/50 situations and contested catches thanks to his frame and athleticism. 
Explosiveness and versatility: Speed/agility to turn short completions into long gains (YAC threat), plus potential as a deep threat or slot option. Two-way HS experience (WR/free safety) and basketball/track background (shooting guard, long jump, 4x100) show football IQ, multi-positional value, and special teams upside (punt returns at UCF). 
Overall traits: Electric in open space with good hands on contested balls, exactly the kind of playmaker Tulane has targeted in the portal to complement quicker slot types or bigger outside threats like Gabe Daniels. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X