STARS OF 2008:

QB Kevin Moore -- Junior Anthony Scelfo is more experienced and a better runner, but for Tulane to take the next step in its offensive development and become a more balanced team, Moore has the potential to give Tulane an effective passing game and become a key player for the Green Wave.

WR Jeremy Williams -- When he truly shows up and has his head in the game, he's as good as any receiver in the conference. When he fails to do those things, he can be a source of frustration. His growth and development will be another key for the Green Wave.

LB Evan Lee -- Lee returns after leading Tulane with 99 tackles in 2007.

TOP NEWCOMERS

QB Ryan Griffin -- Griffin was ranked as the nation's No. 22 prep quarterback prospect out of Chaminade College Prep. With so much uncertainty surrounding Tulane's quarterback job, it's possible Griffin could compete for some playing time this fall.

OL-DL Rich Bell -- Bell was ranked as the nation's No. 22 prep center, but could end up on either side of the ball.

LB Darryl Farley -- Farley was rated as high 53rd among the nation's prep middle linebackers. On a defense in need of more playmakers, Farley will likely get a serious look come August.

RBs Nathan Austin and Albert Williams -- Tulane's tailback competition is wide open, so Austin and Williams could work their way into the rotation with a strong preseason camp.

ROSTER REPORT

--When defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer left for a job on the Kentucky staff, coach Bob Toledo promoted defensive line coach O'Neill Gilbert to defensive coordinator. Then he hired graduate assistant Grant Higgison to coach the defensive line. When linebackers/special teams coach Fred Bleil left Tulane to become the defensive coordinator at Texas State, Toledo hired former McNeese State co-defensive coordinator Jason Rollins to coach the secondary.

Williams, a 5-11, 190-pounder from Beaumont, Texas, was a late signee for Tulane. Williams rushed for 1,300 yards as a junior but suffered a knee injury late in his senior season and many of the programs that had been recruiting him backed off. "(The doctor) said the surgery went well; they said I'll definitely be ready by August, so I'm looking forward to playing," Williams told The Times-Picayune. "(Tulane) is a real good school academically, and academics come first. I looked at their roster, and it didn't look too deep (at running back). So I feel like I can go there and contribute and try to help them go to a bowl game."

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