It was a Green Wave celebration on Wednesday night (Feb. 1) as fans dressed in school colors turned out for a party in the Lavin-Bernick Center on 2012 National Signing Day. Head football coach Curtis Johnson announced the signing of 16 prospects, 11 of whom are from Louisiana.

Johnson greets fans who turned out to meet the coach and cheer on his first class of recruits on signing day.

Standing proudly in the center of his Tulane football staff members, Johnson is ready for the start of spring practice on Feb. 22. “As a staff, we are extremely happy with the overall signing class that we have been able to bring in,” Johnson said.

Athletics director Rick Dickson, right, congratulates Johnson on his stellar group of young student-athletes. Each of Tulane’s Louisiana signees ranks among the Top 100 recruits in the state, with Darion Monroe of Laplace, La., leading the pack as the No. 5 incoming freshman in Louisiana according to ESPN.com.