PWO Spotlight: Grayson McPherson

Patrick Harkness • August 13, 2026

LB

Grayson McPherson is a 6-foot-3, 221-pound redshirt freshman linebacker wearing No. 43 for the Tulane Green Wave.


A Preferred Walk-On from Aurora, Colorado, and Regis Jesuit High School, he represents the kind of developmental piece that helps sustain depth in the linebacker room, but also flashed during spring camp when Dickson Agu was out.


McPherson arrived at Tulane after a productive high school career as a two-way player. Primarily a tight end who also saw significant time at middle linebacker, he earned First Team All-Southern League honors as a tight end in 2024. That senior season included 40 receptions for 372 yards and two touchdowns on offense, along with strong defensive production that ranked him among the state’s tackle leaders. He also competed in lacrosse, adding to his athletic background.


He committed to Tulane in early February 2025 as a late addition to the class. In his first season with the Green Wave in 2025, McPherson appeared in two games (against Charlotte and at Ole Miss) while earning Academic All-Conference recognition. The transition from high school tight end to college linebacker required time in the weight room, film study, and scheme installation.

Spring 2026 offered meaningful developmental opportunity. With the linebacker group thinned by injuries, McPherson participated fully across the 15 practices and the public scrimmage at Yulman Stadium. Head coach Will Hall noted him among the young players progressing, highlighting steady improvement in technique, physicality at the second level, and special teams contributions. It was the exact kind of low-key, foundational work expected of a redshirt freshman earning his place.


As the 2026 season approaches, McPherson continues to compete for depth and special teams roles in a linebacker room that values toughness and reliability. Preferred walk-ons who buy into the process and develop consistently often become important contributors over time. For a player still early in his college career, Grayson McPherson is on the right track, showing up, improving, and positioning himself for a larger role down the line.


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Football player in red jersey catches a pass while defenders close in on the field

Tulane QB Battle taking Shape🎯

By Patrick Harkness • August 13, 2026
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
Football player in white jersey and gold pants ready on a green field, crowd blurred in the background

Transfer Portal Spotlight:
Kajuan Banks

By Patrick Harkness • August 13, 2026
Spear 
Kajuan Banks- USF 
He committed on January 17, 2026 (after entering the portal earlier that month) as a redshirt senior (#13, 5’10”, 180 lbs) from Tallahassee, FL (Godby HS), with one year of eligibility remaining. 
Here’s why Banks aligns so well with the Green Wave program: 
• Exact Positional Match for the “Spear” (Nickel/Slot) Role: Tulane’s defensive scheme prominently features the “Spear” position (nickelback/slot defender). Banks played primarily as a nickelback at USF, bringing direct, battle-tested experience to fill the void left by Javion White’s transfer. He’ll compete right away alongside returning potential starter TJ Smith. 
• Proven FBS Veteran Production: 
After starting his career at South Carolina (25 games over two seasons, mostly reserve/special teams), he stepped up at USF. Career totals: 51 tackles (30 solo), 6 pass breakups, 1 INT, and 2 sacks. In 2024 alone at USF he posted 30 tackles, 4 PDs, 2 sacks, and 4.5 TFLs across two seasons there, showing he can contribute in run support, coverage, and as a blitzer. 
• Elite Athleticism and Versatility for Modern Slot Play: 
A former three-star recruit (No. 46 safety nationally, No. 61 in Florida per 247) with track speed (sprints/relays) and multi-position experience (safety, corner, nickel, special teams, even kick returns in HS). At 5’10” with a compact, physical build, he’s a high-motor, sure-tackler who led USF DBs in blitzes one season (per PFF), ideal for the up-tempo AAC and Tulane’s aggressive, multifaceted defense. 
• Immediate Depth + Leadership in a Reloading Secondary: 
Tulane has aggressively reloaded the DB room via the portal (adding CBs like Rogers, Stevenson, and Agu). Banks arrives as a veteran with significant snaps (755 career) and high football IQ, providing stability, competition, and leadership for a unit that lost key pieces but is reloading fast. 
In short, Spear Kajuan Banks is a smart, high-character portal win: a scheme-specific veteran with production, speed, and versatility who strengthens the “Spear” spot and adds real experience to the Green Wave secondary. Can also play Saftey in a pinch. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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