It’s never a bad thing when a team strengthens what is already considered its most durable asset. That’s exactly what Tulane did last week when it added another name to its list of running backs, even though he won’t be joining until 2017.
Hoover (AL) running back C.J. Sturdivant marked the Green Wave’s fourth commitment for 2017 when he announced that he would be attending Tulane next year. “I feel like Tulane is a perfect fit for me,” said Sturdivant, per NOLA.com. “I love the coaching staff and the academics are outstanding.”
Sturdivant selected Tulane above four other offers he held leaving Mercer, Gardner-Webb, Tennessee Tech., and Austin Peay on the short end of the stick. On top of his four offers, Sturdivant was also recruited by several other schools.
The fact that he was so sought-after bodes well for Tulane and the fact that above all those schools, Sturdivant chose the Green Wave bodes even better. However, what exactly does Sturdivant bring to the table when he arrives in 2017? He is 5-foot-9 and weighs in at 200 lbs. Last year Sturdivant piled up 695 yards and nine touchdowns with the Hoover Buccaneers. He has a nose for the end zone but will have to bulk up a bit before joining the collegiate game.
When he gets to New Orleans, he will be welcomed by former high school teammate P.J. Hall. Although it will be a year before the two can take the same field again, Green Wave fans should be excited because of what happened last time they did.
Hall and Sturdivant helped their high school team which, at the time was the defending Class 7A state champions, to the state semifinals the last time they both played together. “He [Hall] loves it there…he kind of gave me an inside on everything, and how it is, and how everything works,” claimed Sturdivant, according to AL.com.
This pickup should come as nothing but good news to the Green Wave faithful. When Sturdivant makes his way to the Bid Easy, the Wave will be in need of running backs. Lazedrick Thompson and Josh Rounds are entering their senior year in 2016 and will undoubtedly leave quite the hole in Tulane’s roster when they graduate.
The team’s long-term success, or at least the prospect of it, swings heavily on their running game and Tulane’s ability to maintain it after big-name guys leave. C.J. Sturdivant plays a large role in that moving into the years to come. It is important to understand that even when he arrives, success may not, and probably will not come overnight. However, while names like Badie and Thompson are household names in New Orleans right now, don’t be at all surprised if Sturdivant eventually becomes one of those names.
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