Tulane Quarterback T.J. Finley Arrested for Stolen Vehicle Charges

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Tulane University quarterback T.J. Finley was arrested Wednesday in New Orleans on charges of illegal possession of a stolen vehicle, according to police reports. Finley, whose full name is Tyler Jamal Finley, is facing felony charges linked to a truck valued at over $25,000 that was reportedly stolen from Atlanta, Georgia.

The arrest occurred after Tulane Police responded to reports of a truck blocking a driveway near Tulane Stadium. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the truck’s license plate matched a separate vehicle registered to Finley. Further investigation confirmed the vehicle’s identification number belonged to the stolen truck.

During questioning, police stated Finley attempted to move the Dodge Ram and claimed he purchased the vehicle in Atlanta. Following the incident, he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail and subsequently released.

In light of the arrest, Tulane Athletics announced that Finley has been suspended from the football program. “We are aware of a situation involving T.J. Finley,” the statement read. “He has been suspended from the football program pending the outcome of the case. Due to federal laws governing student privacy, we will not disclose any additional information regarding the student, including information related to disciplinary proceedings.”

Finley, a Ponchatoula native, joined Tulane as a transfer student at the beginning of the spring semester after previously playing at LSU, Auburn, Texas State, and Western Kentucky. He has had a tumultuous college career, marked by multiple transfers. Finley was rated as a three-star prospect in high school and was notably the top quarterback prospect in Louisiana.

In high school, he threw for 2,738 yards and 21 touchdowns alongside eight rushing scores. Finley initially committed to LSU, where he started five games as a true freshman, finishing with a 2-3 record. He transferred to Auburn, continuing his career as a starter with a similar record before spending the 2023 season at Texas State, where he started 13 games and passed for 24 touchdowns.

Despite not playing in 2024, as he redshirted due to an ankle injury after participating in just three games for Western Kentucky, Finley has experience across five college programs. Tulane’s football program concluded the 2024 season with a 9-4 record and participated in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

Local attorney David Courcelle is representing Finley in this legal matter.