Zeon Chriss-Gremillion Named Tulane Starting QB
Zeon Chriss-Gremillion is your Week 1 starter, and Tulane’s offense just got a whole lot more dangerous with the option.
Today sources confirmed what many around the program had sensed coming: fifth-year senior Zeon Chriss-Gremillion has won the quarterback competition and will start for the Green Wave against Duke on Sept. 5. The Baton Rouge native and Madison Prep product beat out redshirt junior Kadin Semonza after a competitive fall camp that began as a four-way battle.
This isn’t just a QB decision. It’s a scheme decision.
Why Zeon Fits:
Chriss-Gremillion brings proven dual-threat production and starting experience at two previous stops. At Louisiana in 2023 he completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,222 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 492 rushing yards and six scores. At Houston in 2024 he started seven games, threw for 824 yards, and rushed for 388 yards with four touchdowns. His legs have always been the separator, elite speed, vision, and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.
Coach Will Hall has repeatedly said he wants at least one quarterback who can move. Zeon is that guy. In camp he consistently showed the ability to extend plays, finish drives with his legs (including multiple red-zone touchdowns in scrimmages), and force defenses to account for the quarterback as a runner.
Hall Ball with Option Teeth:
Hall’s offense is a multiple-personnel West Coast/spread system built with tempo, shifts, motions, and versatility. He loves tight ends (one-TE base with heavy two-TE packages) and hybrid “Superback” types who can line up in the backfield or in the slot.
The running back room is deep. Jamauri McClure, Jaylin Lucas, Maurice Turner, Johnnie Daniels, DJ Dugar, and Jake Randle, the staff has emphasized a run-first approach that sets up play-action.
What changes with Zeon under center is how often the quarterback becomes a legitimate run threat in the design of the play.
Hall’s football roots include the triple-option principles he learned from his father. That “always have the extra number” mentality shows up in zone-read and option concepts.
Camp reports (@DougJoubert and @greenwavecolin) noted that every quarterback worked option plays, not just Zeon. With a true dual-threat starter, those concepts move from change-of-pace to core identity.
Expect a heavier dose of:
• Zone-read and power-read looks where Zeon is reading the defensive end or edge defender
• Designed QB keepers and keepers off play-action
• Option elements that force the defense to account for the quarterback, the running back, and the pitch man or receiver (Jaylin Lucas)
• Misdirection that plays off the threat of Zeon’s speed
This is classic “put the defense in conflict” football. When the quarterback can run at a high level, defenses have to slow-play their edges or commit an extra defender. That opens lanes for the backs and creates one-on-ones for the tight ends and receivers on play-action.
What It Means Moving Forward
Tulane already had the pieces for a physical, multiple run game. Zeon elevates it. The offense doesn’t have to abandon the West Coast passing concepts or the tempo, it simply becomes harder to defend because the quarterback is now a legitimate third option in the run game.
Semonza remains a strong backup with a different skill set (more of a pure pocket passer with accuracy).
The battle may not be completely closed for the season. Hall has kept things competitive, but the Week 1 decision is clear. Zeon gives Tulane the best chance to stress Duke’s defense with scheme and athleticism from the jump.
Louisiana product. Dual-threat experience. A coach who understands how to use a mobile quarterback. The pieces fit.
The Green Wave are about to run a heavier option-oriented attack than many expected, and Zeon Chriss-Gremillion is the engine.
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