The Tulane Green Wave enters Week 1 with one of the most intriguing quarterback battles in the nation.
After an offseason overhaul, new head coach Jon Sumrall brought in four transfers to reshape the QB room: Illinois’ Donovan Leary, Iowa’s Brenden Sullivan, Ball State’s Kadin Semonza, and former BYU starter Jake Retzlaff. As Tulane prepares to take on the Wildcats, what’s the latest under center?
Jake Retzlaff’s Path to Tulane
Retzlaff has turned heads since arriving in New Orleans this summer, but Tulane may not commit to just one starter.
According to Pete Nakos of On3, both Retzlaff and Sullivan could see action when the Green Wave face Northwestern on Saturday. That uncertainty could complicate Retzlaff’s highly anticipated debut in a Tulane uniform.
Brendan Sullivan is trending towards being available for Week 1 vs Northwestern. I expect him to be involved in special packages.
Tulane HC Jon Sumrall won’t name a starter before gameday, but it’ll be Jake Retzlaff starting unless something crazy happens.
It’s Bayou Jew time… pic.twitter.com/nBY97KKDzV
— Green Wave News (@JJGREENWAVE) August 26, 2025
Retzlaff transferred to Tulane after a decorated stint at BYU. In 2024, he served as a co-captain for the Cougars, earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, and landed on both the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Award midseason watch lists.
He showcased his playmaking ability throughout last season, most notably in a 38-35 comeback win over Oklahoma State that earned him national recognition as a Manning Award Star of the Week. Retzlaff also opened BYU’s 2024 campaign with a career-high 348 passing yards and three touchdowns in a dominant victory over Southern Illinois.
At 6’1″ with quick-release mechanics and proven leadership experience, Retzlaff arrived at Tulane expecting to compete immediately for the starting job. By all accounts, he impressed coaches and teammates during preseason camp.
Who Is Brenden Sullivan?
While Retzlaff has the resume, Sullivan brings his own set of credentials from the Big Ten. The Iowa transfer played in 10 games last season, starting three. He completed 38-of-53 passes with three touchdowns against three interceptions, adding 150 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
The clock is ticking on Tulane QB Brendan Sullivan to return back to 100 percent. A bone bruise put a pause on his battle with Jake Retzlaff to be Green Wave QB1.
Retzlaff is the favorite to start against Northwestern, but don’t be surprised if Sullivan is also in the mix on… pic.twitter.com/F1mtBxWbzW
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) August 27, 2025
Perhaps most notably, Iowa went a perfect 19-for-19 in red-zone scoring opportunities with Sullivan under center, a stat that showcases his poise in high-pressure situations. He was also recognized with Iowa’s Team Hustle Award for offense in 2024.
At 6’4″, Sullivan offers a dual-threat skill set that could complement Tulane’s run game and short-yardage packages, making him a legitimate contender to take meaningful snaps against Northwestern.
The Bigger Picture Under Jon Sumrall
Tulane’s quarterback uncertainty is part of a bigger vision for the program under Jon Sumrall, who took over as the Green Wave’s head coach in December 2023. He arrives with a sterling resume after guiding Troy to back-to-back Sun Belt titles and a 23-4 record over two seasons.
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Known for his ability to build depth and maximize competition, Sumrall appears to be applying that same philosophy at Tulane by stacking the QB room with experienced transfers. That competition may lead to a two-quarterback system early in the season, especially as Tulane seeks offensive rhythm under a new coaching staff.
Looking Ahead to Northwestern
The Green Wave opens its season against a Northwestern team looking to build momentum under head coach David Braun. For Tulane, the bigger storyline may be how the quarterbacks are deployed.
Retzlaff is the more polished passer with a proven ability to stretch the field, while Sullivan could add versatility with his legs and situational awareness. If both play, Tulane’s offense may look different from series to series.
Ultimately, Retzlaff’s debut won’t be defined by a single game, but the opener against Northwestern will give fans the first glimpse of how Sumrall plans to manage his crowded quarterback room. For now, Tulane’s QB battle remains one of the most compelling storylines of the early college football season.
