The Green Wave secured a conference-high 15 picks in the newly released All-AAC team, underscoring their growing hold on the league’s elite talent pipeline.
The 2025 American Athletic Conference football season hasn’t even kicked off, but if Athlon Sports’ preseason projections are any indication, Tulane is the team to chase. The Green Wave flooded the All-Conference lists with 15 selections, more than any other school, as the annual football preview set the tone for the upcoming season.
This isn’t just about last year’s stats. It’s about who’s expected to shine in the months ahead. And if you’re looking for rising stars or seasoned game-changers, the list makes it pretty clear where to start.
Tulane’s Recruiting Pays Off—Again
Tulane’s 15-player haul didn’t surprise folks who’ve been watching their steady ascent.
One sentence is enough here.
It’s not that every player on the list is a household name—yet—but the coaching staff in New Orleans has done something a little unusual for a Group of Five team. They’ve built continuity. And they’ve done it without chasing headlines.
The program has earned a reputation for development, not just splashy recruiting. Players like their projected All-AAC quarterback (who insiders say could be a dark horse for conference MVP) have come up through the system and matured on the field. The team didn’t just reload. It evolved.
Power Spreads Through the Pack
Beyond Tulane, a handful of schools pushed through with solid All-Conference showings—North Texas, South Florida, Navy, and UTSA rounded out the upper tier.
Not every team is bringing the same firepower, but the list shows where the depth is starting to build. UTSA, for example, sent multiple linemen and a special teams standout to the all-league group, signaling where their strengths lie going into the fall.
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North Texas and South Florida each earned praise for defensive units that could frustrate more experienced offenses this year.
Meanwhile, Navy’s showing may not be overwhelming, but it includes a few names that coaches have circled as “hard to prepare for.” That’s not just hype—it’s coming straight from coordinators around the league.
Projected Performance, Not Past Glory
One of the things that stands out in Athlon’s list? It’s not just a “who had the best 2024” retrospective.
This is about who’s expected to bring it this year. The All-AAC teams are built from projections. Analysts looked at more than just stats. They accounted for coaching changes, positional battles, injuries, and even the strength of a player’s supporting cast.
That means some big names didn’t make it.
The result is a team list that might feel bold—because it is. And that’s what makes it interesting.
| Top 5 Schools by All-Conference Selections | No. of Players Selected |
|---|---|
| Tulane | 15 |
| North Texas | 10 |
| South Florida | 10 |
| Navy | 9 |
| UTSA | 9 |
And yes, there are freshmen and transfers on here, too. You might not recognize every name now. But you probably will by October.
Stars to Watch, And Some Surprises
Among first-teamers, there’s plenty of heat—especially at the skill positions.
Quarterbacks, running backs, and wideouts get the headlines, but there’s quiet buzz around a couple of tight ends and defensive backs who made the second team. One scout told Athlon a certain Tulane linebacker “plays like his hair’s on fire.” We’ll see.
Notably, there’s more diversity in position strength this year than in past seasons. No one side of the ball dominated the list. The talent’s pretty evenly spread across offense, defense, and special teams. That could signal a more balanced and unpredictable AAC season ahead.
One sentence just for balance.
And if there was a snub or two? Well, that’s par for the course with preseason lists.
The Long Game: What This Says About the AAC
Even as playoff structures and conference alignments shift nationally, the AAC is trying to hold firm as the top Group of Five league.
This year’s All-Conference team adds some credibility to that pitch.
Programs like Tulane and UTSA are building reputations that go beyond geography or past legacy. They’re producing NFL-ready talent. They’re winning on Saturdays. And they’re doing it without the massive media footprint of bigger Power Five schools.
That matters. Because even though the AAC won’t get the same spotlight as the SEC or Big Ten, its teams will keep sneaking into national conversations. Especially if a couple of those first-teamers put up early-season fireworks.
