Quarterback Kai Horton posted on social media Sunday he would return to Tulane next year, ending a three-week stay in the transfer portal.
Horton, a redshirt sophomore, started in Wednesday’s 41-20 loss to Virginia in the Military Bowl, completing 13 of 20 passes for 119 yards. When he rushed for a tying touchdown in the third quarter, he spiked the ball in celebration and looked nothing like a player who intended to leave.
Assuming Michael Pratt declares for the NFL draft, Horton is the most experienced quarterback on the roster for new coach Jon Sumrall. He has started four games in three years and played all but the opening series in a pivotal overtime win at Houston in 2022 that kickstarted Tulane’s run to the American Athletic Conference championship.
Sumrall is expected to bring in a quarterback from the transfer portal. Justin Ibieta, the only other returning quarterback who has played in a game, suffered a leg injury in the first quarter against Virginia Tech and was carted off the field — the third serious injury he has gotten in three years following a pair of torn labrums.