Feb. 4, 2004

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane Green Wave added 23 student-athletes to its football program on Wednesday, including 19 prep standouts from either Texas or Louisiana and 13 defensive players. Head Coach Chris Scelfo and his staff received faxes of all 23 National Letters of Intent by 11 a.m. CST.

2004 Tulane Football Signees

"This class is a good supplement to our present team," said Scelfo, who completed his fourth season as head coach in 2003. "I'm proud of the effort of our staff in putting this together. You judge a class on their careers, and it's way too early to tell anything, but on paper, this class will have an opportunity to help our football program."

The Green Wave signed 12 in-state players, including a trio of offensive linemen and four Louisiana defensive linemen, while also picking up seven players from Texas, two from Georgia and one each from North Carolina and Florida. Four of the Texans were named on at least one of that state's newspaper "Top 100" list of statewide players, while overall, 13 different Wave signees earned all-state recognition during their high school careers.

Tulane will bring in eight defensive linemen among its 13 defensive players in 2004. In addition, the Wave signed a trio of defensive backs and two linebackers. Offensively, the largest groups Tulane signed were at offensive line and running back, with three players each at those positions along with a tight end, a quarterback and a wide receiver.

"I felt like we really needed to address the defensive line issue and that was evidenced by our bringing in eight players at that position," Scelfo said. "Defense was something we targeted going in, but I'm also pleased with the quality of players we are bringing in on offense."

"On paper, I'm excited about these players. Getting size has been important, but we also signed guys that can run, especially on defense."

Tulane, which completed a 5-7 season by winning two of its last three games in 2003, opens spring practice March 2nd. The Wave's 2004 schedule is expected to be completed by the league office and released later this month.