STM’s Tatford commits to Tulane

Tulane received the commitment of Evan Tatford, a tight end from St. Thomas More High school, Tatford said Wednesday night. Tatford is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound prospect who picked Tulane over offers from University of Louisiana-Lafayette, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, Miami of Ohio, McNeese State. Southeastern Louisiana, and Northwestern State, he said.

Tatford is the second pledge of the recruiting season from St. Thomas More, classmate Sam Scofield, a defensive back who committed earlier this fall.

"We got a little pipeline from STM going on," Tatford said with a laugh. 

Tatford joins defensive lineman Andrew Siden and running back Dante' Butler to give Tulane its third commitment in the past 24 hours or so. Tatford is Tulane's 20th commitment of the recruiting season.

"I'm glad to have (the decision) over with, have it behind me and start working hard for college," Tatford said.

Academics played heavily into his decision as did close proximity as well as his respect for recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Doug Lichtenberger.

"Coach Lichtenberger has been on me basically since my sophomore year," Tatford said. "He's stayed persistent. From what I've experienced with him so far, he's definitely a great guy, someone I'm going to want to work with for the next four or five years of college."