10 Best Tulane Football Players

#10: Cairo Santos (2010 – 2013)

• Position: Kicker
• Height/Weight: 5’8″, 160 lbs
• NFL Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cairo Santos made his mark as one of the greatest kickers in Tulane history and has gone on to enjoy a successful NFL career. 

In 2012, Santos won the prestigious Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker, after an exceptional season in which he went a perfect 21-for-21 on field goals. Known for his accuracy and reliability, Santos set numerous school records, including the longest field goal made (57 yards). 

After his standout career at Tulane, Santos became the first Brazilian-born player to make it to the NFL, where he has continued to excel as one of the most consistent kickers in the league.

#9: Mewelde Moore (2000 – 2003)

• Position: Running Back
• Height/Weight: 5’11”, 209 lbs
• NFL Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mewelde Moore was a versatile and productive player for Tulane, excelling as both a running back and a receiver out of the backfield. He became Tulane’s all-time leading rusher during his time in New Orleans, finishing his career with over 4,500 all-purpose yards. 

Moore’s ability to make plays both on the ground and through the air made him a dangerous weapon for the Green Wave offense. 

His success at Tulane led to a productive NFL career, where he became known for his reliability as a third-down back and special teams player. Moore played a key role in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII-winning team.

#8: Ryan Griffin (2009 – 2012)

• Position: Quarterback
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 210 lbs
• NFL Teams: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ryan Griffin was a standout quarterback for Tulane, finishing his college career as one of the school’s all-time leading passers. 

Griffin threw for over 9,000 yards and 79 touchdowns during his time with the Green Wave, establishing himself as a key leader for the team. Known for his strong arm and poise in the pocket, Griffin helped Tulane become more competitive in a tough Conference USA. 

After college, Griffin went on to carve out a role as a backup quarterback in the NFL, spending most of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he earned a Super Bowl ring as part of the 2020 championship team.

#7: Max McGee (1950 – 1953)

• Position: Wide Receiver
• Height/Weight: 6’3″, 205 lbs
• NFL Teams: Green Bay Packers

Max McGee was one of Tulane’s most exciting playmakers in the early 1950s, known for his big-play ability as a wide receiver and punter. McGee led Tulane in receiving yards during multiple seasons and became a star for the Green Wave. 

His NFL career with the Green Bay Packers was legendary, as McGee won five NFL championships and is best remembered for his two-touchdown performance in Super Bowl I. McGee’s combination of speed, hands, and football IQ made him a standout at both the college and professional levels, cementing his place in Tulane’s football history.

#6: Troy Duhon (1979 – 1982)

• Position: Defensive Back
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 190 lbs
• NFL Teams: New Orleans Saints

Troy Duhon was one of Tulane’s most formidable defensive players during the early 1980s, known for his ball-hawking ability and tenacity as a defensive back. Duhon earned All-Conference honors for his stellar play and was a key part of Tulane’s defensive unit throughout his career. 

His versatility in the secondary, whether as a cornerback or safety, made him a standout performer for the Green Wave. Following his college career, Duhon was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, making him a hometown favorite as he transitioned to the NFL.

#5: Tommy Mason (1957 – 1960)

• Position: Running Back
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 200 lbs
• NFL Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins

Tommy Mason was one of the first stars of Tulane football and remains one of the school’s most famous alumni. Known for his speed, agility, and ability to break tackles, Mason was an all-around threat as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. 

His standout college career led to him being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, the first pick in Minnesota Vikings history. 

During his NFL career, Mason became a three-time Pro Bowler and was known for his versatility on offense. Despite Tulane not being a football powerhouse, Mason’s achievements helped put the Green Wave on the national radar, and he continues to be a symbol of the program’s storied history.

#4: Patrick Ramsey (1998 – 2001)

• Position: Quarterback
• Height/Weight: 6’2″, 225 lbs
• NFL Teams: Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans

Patrick Ramsey is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Tulane’s history, throwing for over 9,000 yards and 72 touchdowns during his collegiate career. 

Known for his strong arm and leadership on the field, Ramsey helped Tulane maintain a competitive program during his tenure, despite playing in a tough Conference USA. His ability to read defenses and make clutch throws made him a fan favorite. 

Ramsey went on to become a first-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by Washington, where he had a solid career as a starting and backup quarterback in the league. Ramsey’s time at Tulane remains one of the brightest periods in the program’s modern history, as his passing records still stand today.

#3: J.P. Losman (2000 – 2003)

• Position: Quarterback
• Height/Weight: 6’3″, 220 lbs
• NFL Teams: Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks

J.P. Losman was another prolific quarterback for Tulane, following in the footsteps of Patrick Ramsey. Known for his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner, Losman became one of the top quarterbacks in the nation during his time with the Green Wave. 

He threw for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in his senior season alone, showcasing his strong arm and poise under pressure. 

Losman’s performances helped him become a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, where he had a solid NFL career as both a starter and backup. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs made him one of Tulane’s most exciting players of the early 2000s.

#2: Matt Forte (2004 – 2007)

• Position: Running Back
• Height/Weight: 6’2″, 218 lbs
• NFL Teams: Chicago Bears, New York Jets

Matt Forte is one of the most decorated and successful players in Tulane football history. As a running back for the Green Wave, Forte displayed a rare combination of power, vision, and receiving ability that made him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the nation. 

His 2007 season was one for the record books, as he rushed for 2,127 yards and 23 touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the top college players in the country. Forte’s ability to dominate both as a runner and a receiver led to a highly successful NFL career, primarily with the Chicago Bears. 

In the NFL, Forte became one of the most versatile backs of his generation, finishing his career with over 14,000 all-purpose yards. His legacy at Tulane remains unparalleled, and he is widely regarded as one of the program’s all-time greats.

#1: Shaun King (1995 – 1998)

• Position: Quarterback
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 225 lbs
• NFL Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals

Shaun King is without a doubt the most legendary player in Tulane football history. King led the Green Wave to an undefeated season in 1998, culminating in a Liberty Bowl victory and a final ranking of No. 7 in the nation. 

Known for his leadership, accuracy, and dual-threat ability, King became one of the best quarterbacks in college football during his senior season. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns while rushing for over 500 yards, leading Tulane to its greatest season ever. 

King’s performance that year earned him a spot in the Heisman Trophy conversation and a second-round selection in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his NFL career was solid, it was his time at Tulane that cemented his legacy as the greatest player in the program’s history.