Who Is Tyler 'TJ' Finley And Why Was The Tulane Green Wave QB Arrested?

On April 2, 2025, Finley was arrested in New Orleans and charged with illegal possession of stolen property valued at over $25,000, prompting his indefinite suspension from the Tulane football program.

Who Is TJ Finley?

Tulane University quarterback T.J. Finley arrested in New Orleans

TJ Finley is a 6-foot-7, 246-pound quarterback from Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Known for his arm strength and size, he was once one of the most recruited QBs in the Southeast. Finley began his college football career at LSU in 2020, where he started five games as a true freshman.

He later transferred to Auburn University, then Texas State, followed by a stint at Western Kentucky in 2024. He transferred to Tulane ahead of the 2025 season, bringing experience and expectations with him.

Before his college career, Finley was a standout at Ponchatoula High School. He was a three-year starter and earned All-State honors as a senior. In his final high school season, he threw for 2,738 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for eight more. Overall, he accounted for 72 total touchdowns in high school — 58 passing and 14 rushing.

Across his college career, Finley has played in 34 games, completing 63% of his passes for 6,128 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.

What Led To Finley's Arrest?

According to New Orleans police, Finley was found in possession of a Dodge Ram truck reported stolen out of Atlanta. When questioned, he claimed he had purchased the vehicle recently in Georgia. Court documents revealed that Finley believed he bought the truck from someone named “John Spillway,” who posed as a representative of a used car dealership and provided seemingly legitimate documents.

His attorneys, David Courcelle and Scott Stansbury, assert that Finley is the victim of an elaborate scam. “TJ looks forward to continuing to cooperate fully with the authorities in hopes of recovering the funds he lost, bringing the criminal(s) to justice, and clearing his name and reputation,” they said in a public statement.

This isn’t Finley’s first run-in with the law. He was previously arrested in Alabama in 2022 after an incident involving an attempt to evade police.

Tulane's Response

Tulane HC Jon Sumrall gives a statement on the suspension of QB TJ Finley from the football program

Tulane University released a statement confirming Finley's suspension pending the outcome of the case. Head coach Jon Sumrall also addressed the situation at a press conference, despite the university's request to avoid questions about the matter.

“Legally I’m not in a position to be able to dive into it,” Sumrall said. “When things happen off the field, it’s unfortunate... but when guys make mistakes, then we have to have accountability.”

What’s Next?

As of now, Finley's status with the Tulane Green Wave remains uncertain. The university is awaiting the legal resolution before making any further decisions regarding his future with the team. Meanwhile, Finley and his legal team are working to clear his name, claiming he was unknowingly caught in a fraudulent transaction.

Final Thoughts

TJ Finley’s story is a cautionary tale about how quickly things can unravel for a student-athlete with a promising career. While the legal process plays out, questions remain not just about his future at Tulane, but about how college athletes navigate risks off the field.

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