The Burrows Report: Week 3 - New Position Change, Camp Standouts

BY JOHN BURROWS

Position Change

Redshirt freshman Kellen Tasby has moved from quarterback to wide receiver. While the

quarterback battle seems to be coming down to either Kadin Semonza or Donovan Leary, the staff has made a point to get the best athletes on the field however possible. You saw it last season when Ty Thompson was utilized in a “Taysom Hill” role after initially losing the starting quarterback job to Darian Mensah. This season, the staff addressed a need by moving Kellen Tasby to receiver.

Last season, the original plan was for Mario Williams and Shazz Preston to be Tulane’s top

receivers, Williams giving the offense an explosive threat, while Preston was meant to be the

bigger bodied pass catcher who could win contested balls. Because Preston missed most of the season due to injury, Tulane was forced to play Williams with Donte Fleming, another talented receiver, but one whose natural position is the same as Mario Williams. Tasby’s move to receiver gives Tulane size at the position behind Shazz Preston, as Tasby is listed at 6’6” - 215 lbs.

Because Tasby has never played receiver before, every movement he makes is based on pure instinct. As a former quarterback, Tasby is fully familiar with the playbook, but will have to work on becoming a more technically sound route runner to get on the field.

Camp Standouts

Dallas Winner-Johnson has stepped up at the linebacker position, which has been key with Jesus Machado entering the portal. At 6’5,” Winner-Johnson stands out physically from his peers. He’s also made a handful of nice plays in pass defense which has been a pleasant surprise.

If redshirt freshman running back Jamauri McClure can hold onto the ball consistently, he may be the best running back on the team. In terms of talent, I believe McClure was Tulane’s second best running back last season to Makhi Hughes. McClure only started playing football just a few years ago, so his lack of experience may have cut his playing time last season, but he is one of the most explosive players I have seen during my time at Tulane.

Don’t be surprised if true freshman running back Javin Gordon sees significant time this season. Although he just arrived on campus, Gordon does not stand out as someone who should still be taking high school classes. He has frequently looked physically dominant.

Jack Tchenchiou is having his second great camp in a row. I predicted the safety transfer from Troy to have a breakout year ahead of last season and he has carried that momentum into the spring.