Tulane’s locker room doesn’t hand out praise lightly, but when it comes to Ty Thompson, the tone shifts. There’s a different kind of respect in the air. It is the kind earned through grind, setbacks, and showing up when nobody’s watching.
Will Hall Backs Ty Thompson’s Work Ethic as Tulane Eyes 2026 Season
After a lost season, Thompson isn’t just back; he’s carrying a story that hits deeper than stats. Heading into the 2026 campaign, that story is picking up steam again. Health is finally on his side, momentum is building, and belief is already there inside the program. For Tulane head coach Will Hall, it’s simple: If Thompson stays on the field, big things are coming.
Speaking recently during team media availability, Hall didn’t hold back when discussing Thompson’s journey and work ethic.
“Our players would tell you, he’s a warrior in the weight room,” Hall said. “He really studies the game. He impacts people in a positive way. He just needs the good Lord to have it in his will for him to be healthy. That’s all he needs. He needs air and opportunity. I’m hoping for him and praying for him that he can stay healthy this year.”
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That belief isn’t coming out of nowhere. Thompson’s path has been anything but linear. He began his college career at Oregon as a quarterback before transferring to Tulane in 2024. By spring 2025, he made a bold switch to tight end, and early flashes had people paying attention.
Then came the setback. A knee injury wiped out his entire 2025 season. Momentum stalled, and development paused. But inside the program, his stock didn’t drop; it quietly rose. Hall doubled down on that sentiment, emphasizing that everything within Thompson’s control has already been handled.
“Everything he can control, he controls,” Hall said. “He works his tail off. He’s unbelievable. Our players would tell you, he’s our warrior. He deserves it. We don’t always get what we deserve, but he does.”
Now fully healthy, Thompson is back in the mix for the Green Wave, and the timing couldn’t be better. From Thompson’s perspective, the situation is just as grounded. The setback didn’t shake him; it reshaped him.
“Yeah, it was tough, but I look at it as a blessing,” Thompson said. “It grew me in my faith. Everything happens for a purpose. I feel like I’m stronger now because of it. I wouldn’t change anything.”
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Beyond the field, his impact is already locked in. Thompson was named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, recognizing elite community service, academics, and performance. He logged 59 hours of service across 13 initiatives and was previously named a nominee for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.
On the field, his last full season still showed flashes. In 12 appearances at quarterback, he recorded 260 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, while also throwing for 199 yards and three touchdowns. If Hall’s read is right, Thompson’s next chapter might hit a whole different gear.
