For more than 15 years, I had the privilege of telling sports stories as a writer. Before that, I experienced the game from a different perspective—as a college basketball player. Those experiences shaped how I see basketball. The game is more than a final score. It's about the decisions, the adjustments, the matchups, the strategy, and the moments that decide winning and losing. That's why I'm excited to launch a new chapter of Pelicans coverage focused on one simple idea: Understand the Pelicans. Don't just watch them. Starting this season, I'll be providing in-depth coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans through: * Weekly written analysis breaking down the team, players, strategy, and biggest storylines. * Film breakdowns explaining the X's and O's behind what happens on the court. * Weekly podcast conversations discussing the latest from the Pelicans and the NBA. My goal is simple: to give Pelicans fans thoughtful, fair, and knowledgeable coverage that helps you see the game in a different way. Just honest reporting, basketball insight, and a passion for the New Orleans Pelicans. Whether you've been following this team for 20 years or you're just getting started, I hope you'll join me as we take a deeper look at the team we all love. Understand the Pelicans. Don't just watch them.

OG 
Riley Rushing- (D2) Mars Hill U 
Riley Rushing fits Tulane as a 6’4”, 295-pound versatile interior offensive lineman (OG with OT experience) with proven D-II starting production, elite physical finish, block-sustaining ability, and pancake-heavy run-game dominance who immediately adds competition and depth to a revamped OL room needing toughness and flexibility after key graduations. 
He’s a junior transfer from Mars Hill University (D-II, North Carolina) who committed on January 5, 2026, via the portal (entered November 20, 2025). A product of Milton HS in Alpharetta, GA (near Atlanta), he has two years of eligibility remaining (#71).  
Athletic Profile and Scheme Fit: Tulane’s offensive line (under head coach Will Hall and OL coach Cody Kennedy) prioritizes physical, nasty trench warriors who sustain blocks through the whistle, dominate the run game with pancakes, and provide reliable pass protection on the interior in their west coast hybrid attack. Rushing is a perfect match as a high-floor, scheme-versatile piece. 
• Size and physicality: At 6’4”/295, he brings a powerful, long-levered frame with the agility to play fast, ideal for sealing edges, pulling, and finishing blocks violently. 
• Versatility and technique: Two-year starter who has lined up at both OG and OT (plus interior flexibility). Excels at sustaining blocks and piling up pancakes; recorded zero sacks allowed in the 2025 season despite heavy snaps. 
• Intangibles: Southeast ties (Alpharetta, GA) and a reputation as a relentless, high-motor finisher who brings toughness and football IQ from a competitive D-II program. Tulane targeted portal OLs with immediate starting upside to replace departed starters like LT Derrick Graham and LG Shadre Hurst. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

DL 
AJ Westfield 6-2/281 Cleveland, TN 
A.J. Westfield is a versatile defensive lineman from the Class of 2026, playing for Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee. 
As a two-way player with experience on both sides of the line, Westfield has shown promise as a disruptive interior defender capable of lining up in multiple spots along the defensive front. 
His multi-sport background, including basketball as a 6-2 power forward, enhances his athletic profile and contributes to his fluidity in space. 
Westfield committed to Tulane early in his recruitment process and signed during the early period, positioning him as a key addition to the Green Wave’s defensive line class. He is described by evaluators as an “absolute monster” with high upside, particularly in generating backfield pressure.  
Scouting report: 
Build: Strong, sturdy frame with good overall size for an interior lineman. Broad shoulders and a powerful lower body that supports explosive movements. 
Speed/Explosion: Demonstrates impressive quickness off the snap, with excellent footwork and burst. 
Versatility: Can line up anywhere on the defensive front, interior tackle, edge rusher, or 3-tech. His ability to “attack any of the five offensive linemen” (per Prep Redzone scout Shayne Pickering) makes him a scheme-flexible asset, ideal for modern defenses that rotate personnel. 
Quickness and Footwork: Exceptional first-step explosion allows him to burst off the edge or interior and penetrate gaps quickly. Excellent footwork enables him to adjust mid-play, shed blocks, and pursue quarterbacks or ball carriers effectively. Described as having “incredible quickness” that leads to consistent backfield pressure (SI). 
Athleticism and Motor: Basketball background translates to fluid movement in space, balance, and lateral agility. High motor, relentless in pursuit, generates pressure “at all times” (Prep Redzone). Strong hands and leverage help him win at the point of attack. 
Run Defense: Powerful lower body and technique make him stout against the run. His 40 TFL in a single season demonstrate gap integrity and the ability to stack and shed blockers. 
Pass Rush: Effective interior rusher with a developing arsenal of moves. Uses quickness to collapse pockets and has shown the ability to convert speed to power. Potential to be a consistent sack producer at the college level. 
Development Potential: On a “promising development arc” (Prep Redzone), with the frame to add weight and strength. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkenss on X

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OT 
Ryan Mickow- BC 
Ryan Mickow fits Tulane as a 6’7”, 317-pound versatile offensive tackle with proven ACC experience at both right and left tackle, elite length/leverage, and immediate starting potential who anchors a revamped offensive line needing size, physicality, and competition after multiple key departures. 
He’s a redshirt junior transfer from Boston College (ACC) who committed on January 9, 2026, via the portal (entered January 5). A three-star high school recruit out of powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL), he has two years of eligibility remaining (#58). 
Athletic Profile and Scheme Fit: Tulane’s offense (under head coach Will Hall and OL coach Cody Kennedy) demands tackles who can handle both run-blocking in the trenches and pass protection on the edge in their system. Mickow is a natural fit as the new right tackle. 
• Size and length: Massive 6’7”/317 frame with long arms and a strong base that creates natural leverage and mismatches against edge rushers, ideal for dominating at the point of attack and sealing the edge in Tulane’s run game. 
• Versatility and experience: Played both RT and LT at BC, plus extra OL packages. Proven special teams contributor (field goal/PAT protection). Shows football IQ and adaptability in a Power-conference environment, exactly what Tulane targeted to stabilize the line. 
• Physicality and intangibles: High school multi-positional OL (LT/RT/C) experience on back-to-back state title teams demonstrates technique and toughness. National Honor Society member who brings leadership and smarts to the room. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

DE 
Jordyn Crites- @JordynCrites26 6-7/274 Friendswood, TX 
Jordyn Crites is a towering defensive lineman from Friendswood High School in Friendswood, Texas, class of 2026. 
Standing at 6-7 and weighing 274 pounds, Crites combines exceptional length with athleticism, making him a disruptive force on the edge or interior. 
He signed with Tulane on December 3, 2025, after committing on June 14, 2025, choosing the Green Wave over 16 FBS offers, including Power 4 programs like Baylor, TCU, Oregon State, Texas Tech, and others such as Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, North Texas, Rice, San Diego State, Tulsa, UNLV, and UTEP. 
Crites transferred to Friendswood after attending Edmond Memorial in Oklahoma for his freshman and sophomore years, where he began building his profile. 
He also played tight end, showcasing versatility, but his future is on defense. Crites was noted as a “riser” in recruiting circles. 
His recruitment heated up with official visits to TCU, Tulane, and Baylor in June 2025. Crites was praised for his potential as one of the top defensive linemen from Texas, with Power 4 interest. 
Scouting Report: 
Frame and Length: Enormous wingspan and height make him a mismatch nightmare, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and engulf ball carriers. His reach helps in shedding blocks and maintaining leverage. 
Power and Hand Usage: Violent, heavy hands at the point of attack; primary move is a pure power rush that overwhelms offensive linemen. He can swim and dodge as counters, showing developing technique. 
Athleticism and Bend: Exceptional bend for his size, allowing him to break down in the backfield and pursue with speed. His 4.8 40 and vertical translate to explosive get-off and closing burst. 
Motor and Production: High-motor player who lives in the backfield, generating sacks, hurries, and numerous tackles for loss (TFLs). Effective against both run and pass, with a dynamic presence that wrecks games. 
Versatility and Upside: Two-way experience (DE/TE), with unreal potential due to size, power, and athleticism. He’s come into his own recently, suggesting continued growth. 
Intangibles: Strong academics, track background, and resilience shown in transferring schools. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X

Chris Olave has signed a contract extension valued at 4 years 132 million dollars, 90 million guaranteed with an AAV of 33M. All the contract talk is finally over for Chris Olave as it always felt like it was a matter of time before the deal would get done. Olave is too important to the Saints success this season and beyond to not get a deal done. Coming off a breakout 2025 campaign where Olave earned a second team All pro nomination after putting up his best season of his career. This extension gives the Saints and Tyler Shough their guy at WR for the foreseeable future. When you have a young quarterback like Tyler Shough you have to have proven talent around him and Olave has shown he can be a security blanket for Shough to aid in his development. But not only will Olave help Shough develop as he enters his sophomore season but Olave will also be able to help mentor rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. With Olave in the fold for the long haul the Saints hope the duo of Olave and Tyson become one of if not the best WR duo in the league one day soon. But for now Tyson gets to get his feet wet in his first NFL training camp and learn from one of the best in Chris Olave. Olave’s extension begins signals the beginning of a new core for the Saints as Olave certainly won’t be the last player extended in the near future if the Saints continue to trend in the right direction. It’s an exciting time to be Saints fan after feeling stuck in doldrums the last few years and deals like this help show the Saints are well on their way to contending once again.