Kadin Semonza is seizing his opportunity in Tulane’s open quarterback competition. As fall camp unfolds under first-year head coach Will Hall, the redshirt junior has steadily risen. After an uneven spring and a quiet first day of camp, Semonza has looked sharper, more decisive, and increasingly confident with each practice. Multiple reports from On SI Tulane ( @DougJoubert & @greenwavecolin ) and http://NOLA.com ( @Guersmith ) describe him as the quarterback currently making the strongest case to start Week 1. Background and Path to This Point Semonza arrived at Tulane in spring 2025 after a standout 2024 season at Ball State. There he earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors, throwing for 2,904 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 64.4% of his passes. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound product of Mission Viejo High School (Huntington Beach, California) showed the accuracy and production that made him a three-star prospect and a three-time team captain in high school. His first year in New Orleans proved difficult. Late arrivals of Brendan Sullivan and Jake Retzlaff pushed him down the depth chart, and he did not see meaningful action during Tulane’s 2025 run to the American Conference title game and College Football Playoff. Semonza has spoken openly about the mental challenge of that season, but he stayed, learned the system under Hall (who was previously the passing game coordinator), and entered 2026 ready to compete. The room is crowded. Houston transfer Zeon Chriss-Gremillion brings dual-threat athleticism and prior starting experience. Local product Dagan Bruno and true freshman Trace Johnson have also earned significant reps. Hall has said the top four will share work through the first 11 practices, with a starter named roughly two weeks before the opener, at this point I think Semonza has taken the lead. Fall Camp Momentum Early camp reports noted Semonza looked a bit off on day one. That changed quickly. By the second practice he was hitting receivers in stride and delivering a back-shoulder touchdown throw to Destyn “Fat” Hill. When pads went on, his timing and decision-making continued to improve. Monday’s practice (August 10) at the Saints indoor facility stood out. Semonza produced the pass of the day, a deep scoring strike to Hill over cornerback Anthony Rogers in 11-on-11 work. He also found Garrett Mmahat for a touchdown through traffic and led Anthony Brown-Stephens perfectly for another score in skeleton drills. Hall’s assessment was direct: “Man, he (Semonza)’s really been sharp. Accuracy, eyes. I’ve been pleased with his foot quickness, too. He’s making plays out of the pocket.” Hall also praised a well-timed designed run and a fake-pitch keeper on an option play. Tuesday’s session reinforced the trend. On SI Tulane noted that Semonza “has continued to step up and show us why he should be the guy starting week one.” He was accurate and willing to take calculated risks, including a 40-yard bomb! #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X