Garrett Mmahat never lined up at wide receiver until his second year at Tulane and was not put on scholarship until this past June as he prepared for his fourth season.

TJ Smith had four Division II scholarship offers but nothing else out of high and was redshirted when he arrived at East Central University in Oklahoma.

The odds against either of them becoming relevant at the FBS level were incredibly long when their college careers began in 2022, but both are carving out unexpectedly significant roles as the Green Wave’s Aug. 30 opener against Northwestern approaches.

Mmahat, a former Brother Martin star quarterback, has been a first-team receiver the past two weeks.

“It’s just been awesome that all the coaches have put their faith in me,” he said. “It’s been a process, but I love it.

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