American Conference notebook: Tulane, North Texas lose key starters to injury
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Fall camp is underway for all 138 FBS institutions. And while the start of fall camp is generally viewed as a positive among college football fans, there is one harsh reality that comes with it — injuries.
Notable injuries have been already reported from the camps of both 2025 American Conference Championship Game participants:
Tulane Green Wave
RB Jamauri McClure — foot
Tulane running back Jamauri McClure missed practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11 due to an injured left foot, per Guerry Smith of The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. Smith reported McClure watched practice from a scooter and could return early in the season per head coach Will Hall, although the running back’s status for the Sept. 5 opener at Duke may be in jeopardy.
McClure ranked first in rushing yards among the running backs on Tulane’s 2025 American Conference champion roster, despite making only three starts. As a redshirt freshman, he posted 540 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a 6.5 average. Nearly all of McClure’s production occurred after the calendar flipped to November. He eclipsed the century mark twice, posting 122 on Temple in Week 13 and 121 in the conference title game vs. North Texas. McClure averaged 98 rushing yards per game in his final five performances, capping it off with an 84-yard showing in the College Football Playoff loss to Ole Miss.
With the projected starter injured, Tulane’s running back room may lean heavier on Jaylin Lucas and Maurice Turner. Lucas spent the prior four seasons at Indiana and Florida State, registering 719 rushing yards, 456 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns, while earning all-conference status for his ability in the return game. Turner was Tulane’s Week 1 starting running back in 2025 and posted 86 rushing yards in the opener. However, the Louisville transfer’s first season in New Orleans was marred by injury, and he finished the campaign with 127 yards on 28 carries.
North Texas Mean Green
CB Caden Jenkins — ACL (out for season)
North Texas lost every single starter, meaning first-year head coach Neal Brown had to reload his depth chart primarily through the transfer portal. One transfer expected to hold a significant role on defense was cornerback Caden Jenkins. However, the former Baylor starter announced that he injured his ACL via Instagram and will miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign.
Jenkins played 31 games at Baylor from 2023-25, making 18 starts with the Bears. He immediately thrived as a true freshman, accumulating 37 tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries during a productive 2023 season. Jenkins started all 11 appearances in 2024 and contributed 24 tackles and an interception for an 8-5 Baylor squad. He moved to a reserve role in 2025 before transferring to North Texas, alongside his twin brother Cameren — a former Baylor safety.
Without Jenkins, the Mean Green are expected to rely more heavily on transfer cornerbacks Peyton Taylor (Division II Emporia State), Zach Johnson (FCS Southeastern Louisiana), and Keshawn Davila (Arkansas). Additionally, the room returns Chase Canada who tacked on three tackles and a pass breakup across seven appearances in 2025.
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