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It's time for spring football.
There are plenty of storylines to consider as Memphis kicks off spring practices on Tuesday, and it obviously begins with the battle to replace four-year starting quarterback Seth Henigan. That headlines the list of position battles for coach Ryan Silverfield to work out, but there are other spots up for grabs on both sides of the ball.
The Tigers went 11-2 in 2024, and expectations again will be high heading into 2025. They have the strongest roster in the AAC, and the College Football Playoff is once again a realistic goal. While Silverfield has been active in the spring transfer portal window (bringing in starters Kobee Minor and Elijah Herring during that window last year), most of the roster is likely in place as spring practices kick off.
Here's a look at five key position battles.
Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey told The Commercial Appeal earlier this month that Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis has a "step up" heading into spring practices. He's the only quarterback in Memphis' room who has significant starting experience.
But there's plenty of talent around him. Four-star quarterback A.J. Hill brought national attention to Memphis during last year's recruiting battle, and he's already impressed Cramsey during his time on campus. Returners Arrington Maiden and Harris Boyd will be involved, too.
Memphis lost its top three receivers from last season in Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee and Koby Drake. Silverfield and Cramsey brought in plenty of transfers, and everyone will have a chance to earn their spot during the spring.
Transfers C.J. Smith (Purdue), Ger-Cari Caldwell (NC A&T) and Jadon Thompson (Louisville) will be involved. Sophomore Brady Kluse impressed as a true freshman, and he has a shot to be the Tigers' top receiver in 2025. Keonde Henry — the top-ranked player in Memphis' 2024 recruiting class — could earn time as well. Ditto for Marcello Bussey, who has been with the team since 2023.
Although the Tigers haven't relied on true freshmen very often, three-star Xavier Johnson enrolled early and will have his chance during spring ball.
The Tigers lost their top three tight ends from last season, including first-team All-AAC performer Anthony Landphere. Penn State transfer Jerry Cross will likely get the first crack at replacing him.
Cross, a former four-star recruit, played in only seven games in three seasons combined in State College. He'll be part of a competition that includes Iowa Central CC transfer Bryce Anderson and returner Christian Ross.
Defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins loves linebackers, and he has a whole slate of new ones in 2025. The Tigers lost all three of their starters from a strong unit in 2024, and Hankins was busy in the transfer portal.
FCS All-American A.J. Pena headlines the transfer class, which includes Sam Brumfield (Virginia Tech), Drue Watts (Nevada), Everett Roussaw Jr. (UAB), Cam Burden (Charlotte) and DeMarco Ward (Florida State), among others. Jayden Flaker, who was a backup for the Tigers last season, could be involved as well.
In short? Memphis probably will have a strong linebacking corps in 2025. But exactly what that looks like is to be determined, and it'll start on Tuesday.
Memphis lost both of its starting cornerbacks to expired eligibility after last season, and then secondary coach Charles Clark left for Purdue. Reggie Howard was promoted to defensive backs coach and Jay Simpson came in to replace Howard.
The Tigers, then, are essentially starting from scratch at the position. Florida State transfer Omarion Cooper and East Mississippi CC transfer Shannon Blair will compete for starting spots, along with Michigan transfers Myles Pollard and Kody Jones. Chalil Cummings and Jaidyn Denis are among the returners from last season.
Former four-star recruit MarJayvious Moss is still in the room, and he could play a part as well.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Five position battles to watch as Memphis kicks off spring practice
Continue reading...
There are plenty of storylines to consider as Memphis kicks off spring practices on Tuesday, and it obviously begins with the battle to replace four-year starting quarterback Seth Henigan. That headlines the list of position battles for coach Ryan Silverfield to work out, but there are other spots up for grabs on both sides of the ball.
The Tigers went 11-2 in 2024, and expectations again will be high heading into 2025. They have the strongest roster in the AAC, and the College Football Playoff is once again a realistic goal. While Silverfield has been active in the spring transfer portal window (bringing in starters Kobee Minor and Elijah Herring during that window last year), most of the roster is likely in place as spring practices kick off.
Here's a look at five key position battles.
Quarterback: Can anyone catch Brendon Lewis?
Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey told The Commercial Appeal earlier this month that Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis has a "step up" heading into spring practices. He's the only quarterback in Memphis' room who has significant starting experience.
But there's plenty of talent around him. Four-star quarterback A.J. Hill brought national attention to Memphis during last year's recruiting battle, and he's already impressed Cramsey during his time on campus. Returners Arrington Maiden and Harris Boyd will be involved, too.
Wide receiver: With spots up for grabs, who steps up?
Memphis lost its top three receivers from last season in Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee and Koby Drake. Silverfield and Cramsey brought in plenty of transfers, and everyone will have a chance to earn their spot during the spring.
Transfers C.J. Smith (Purdue), Ger-Cari Caldwell (NC A&T) and Jadon Thompson (Louisville) will be involved. Sophomore Brady Kluse impressed as a true freshman, and he has a shot to be the Tigers' top receiver in 2025. Keonde Henry — the top-ranked player in Memphis' 2024 recruiting class — could earn time as well. Ditto for Marcello Bussey, who has been with the team since 2023.
Although the Tigers haven't relied on true freshmen very often, three-star Xavier Johnson enrolled early and will have his chance during spring ball.
Tight end: What can Jerry Cross bring to Memphis?
The Tigers lost their top three tight ends from last season, including first-team All-AAC performer Anthony Landphere. Penn State transfer Jerry Cross will likely get the first crack at replacing him.
Cross, a former four-star recruit, played in only seven games in three seasons combined in State College. He'll be part of a competition that includes Iowa Central CC transfer Bryce Anderson and returner Christian Ross.
Linebacker: Productivity isn't a problem
Defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins loves linebackers, and he has a whole slate of new ones in 2025. The Tigers lost all three of their starters from a strong unit in 2024, and Hankins was busy in the transfer portal.
FCS All-American A.J. Pena headlines the transfer class, which includes Sam Brumfield (Virginia Tech), Drue Watts (Nevada), Everett Roussaw Jr. (UAB), Cam Burden (Charlotte) and DeMarco Ward (Florida State), among others. Jayden Flaker, who was a backup for the Tigers last season, could be involved as well.
In short? Memphis probably will have a strong linebacking corps in 2025. But exactly what that looks like is to be determined, and it'll start on Tuesday.
Cornerback: An entirely new group needs to sort itself out
Memphis lost both of its starting cornerbacks to expired eligibility after last season, and then secondary coach Charles Clark left for Purdue. Reggie Howard was promoted to defensive backs coach and Jay Simpson came in to replace Howard.
The Tigers, then, are essentially starting from scratch at the position. Florida State transfer Omarion Cooper and East Mississippi CC transfer Shannon Blair will compete for starting spots, along with Michigan transfers Myles Pollard and Kody Jones. Chalil Cummings and Jaidyn Denis are among the returners from last season.
Former four-star recruit MarJayvious Moss is still in the room, and he could play a part as well.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Five position battles to watch as Memphis kicks off spring practice
Continue reading...
