Signing Day Nets 24 Wave Players

Nine players from Louisiana are among the 24 high school seniors from nine different states who signed national letters of intent to play for the Green Wave next football season.

Head football coach Bob Toledo addresses the news media at a press conference on National Signing Day. (Photo by Sally Asher)

Tulane head coach Bob Toledo announced the 2010 rookie class on Wednesday (Feb. 3), National Signing Day.

Joining the Green Wave will be 12 defensive players, 10 offensive standouts and a pair of special teamers.

"Our goal with this class was to create quality depth at every position, and we were able to sign players at each spot," Toledo said at a press conference. "We feel that we finished strong, and we are excited about this group of players."

The class includes six linebackers, five offensive linemen, four defensive backs, two running backs, two defensive linemen and a quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, punter and kicker.

Toledo's fourth recruiting class also includes several nationally prominent players such as Jonathan Ginsburgh from Alexandria, La., rated the No. 7 punter in the nation by Scout.com, and Cairo Santos of St. Augustine, Fla., rated the No. 57 kicker nationally by ESPN.com.

Other leading members of the class are running back Orleans Darkwa of Nashville, Tenn., safety Steven Funderburk of Port St. Lucie, Fla., offensive guard Ben Stone and linebacker Kerchal Byrd, both from Palmetto, Fla., and outside linebacker Ray Oppman of Sugar Land, Texas.

The 2010 Tulane football schedule features seven home games, with the home opener against Southeastern Louisiana University, a marquee matchup against the University of Mississippi on Sept. 11 and the homecoming game against Army on Oct. 9.

For additional information or to order season tickets, call 504-861-WAVE, go online, or visit the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center on Ben Weiner Drive on the uptown campus.