2024 Tiger Football Preview: Memphis Returns To The Gridiron With Some Familiar Faces As AAC Favorites.

There’s no such thing as the ultimate football game. Or is there?

In their 36-26 win against Iowa State in the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the Memphis Tigers achieved a statistical rarity that may never be repeated. They finished the game with zero turnovers, zero penalties, and (brace yourself) allowed the Cyclones to finish with zero rushing yards. In baseball terms, it was akin to no runs, no hits, no errors… pure perfection.

“All season long, we aim for a complete game,” says Ryan Silverfield, who is heading into his fifth year as head coach and ninth year with the team. “It’s becoming increasingly challenging. We’ve had games where the defense stepped up, then the offense or special teams. Finally, we witnessed everything coming together at the right time. Beating Ole Miss in 2019 was thrilling, as was College Gameday, the Cotton Bowl, and defeating Mississippi State in 2021. Yet, I’ve heard more fans—some in their 60s and others teenagers—say that winning the AutoZone Liberty Bowl meant the most to them. It was a great way to end the season, showcasing a relatively dominant performance. It created a significant momentum that could lead to a positive snowball effect moving forward.”

While perfection may not be a realistic expectation for the 2024 Memphis Tigers, expectations are certainly high for this team. For the first time since they joined the American Athletic Conference in 2013, Memphis has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the league championship. Last season, they ranked sixth in the nation in scoring, averaging 39.4 points per game. The Tigers also benefit from having the most experienced quarterback in the country returning to lead their offense. Senior Seth Henigan is the only FBS quarterback starting in his fourth year with the same program. The MVP of the Liberty Bowl victory, Henigan has already set the Memphis record for career passing yards (10,764) and needs just 12 more touchdown passes to surpass Brady White’s record of 90. Most importantly, with six more wins, he would surpass White’s 28 for the most victories by a Memphis quarterback.

“Seth began his college career at just 17,” Silverfield points out. “It was like starting a rookie in the NFL. Fast forward two years, and he’s already won 10 games. We all improve over time. Seth has learned how to win games last year. Now, he can lead the team and take charge. It’s his team now. He sets the standards for everyone on a daily basis, not just with impressive throws and stats. When challenges arise, he’s the one saying, ‘This is how we do things.’ He fully embraces that role.”

“Watch lists” for various college football awards often lean more towards generating excitement than providing real insight. However, seeing one player featured on five different lists definitely catches attention. Henigan is a contender for the Maxwell Award (most outstanding player), Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback), Manning Award, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. If he surpasses his 2023 performance of 3,883 yards and 32 touchdown passes, he could become a finalist for one of these honors.

Given his extensive experience, how can Henigan elevate his game this fall? “He needs to execute the next play of his life perfectly,” says offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey. “Every single day, with however many reps he gets. That’s challenging for an entire game, but not for just the next play.”

Henigan will have plenty of targets, starting with senior wide receiver Roc Taylor, who was also a second-team all-conference selection in 2023, catching 69 passes for 1,083 yards. Demeer Blankumsee (901 yards), Koby Drake (352), and tight end Anthony Landphere (260) are also returning.

“It’s been a grind since I got here,” says Taylor, who’s beginning his fourth season with Henigan. “Building friendships and returning the loyalty the program has shown me. I want to leave my own legacy. I study a lot of film to identify little areas for improvement—understanding reads, running routes at the right speed, and building chemistry with Seth.”

The Tigers’ running game will have a different look this season with Blake Watson (1,152 yards last season) having finished his eligibility. However, Sutton Smith and Brandon Thomas return, along with South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson (707 yards last year). “We have high expectations,” says Silverfield. “Sutton Smith is a dynamic player, and I’m happy with our depth.” Thomas rushed for 191 yards in a 2021 win over Arkansas State, illustrating the depth the Tigers have at the position.

The Tiger defense will be anchored by junior linebacker Chandler Martin, a preseason All-America candidate who led the team last season with 95 tackles, including an impressive 17 for loss. “Sometimes it’s a player from the FCS level, like East Tennessee State, who comes in, performs well, and takes charge,” Silverfield explains. “He’s a team leader and truly values the opportunity we’ve provided; he could have chosen larger programs. He consistently upholds the standards of a complete student-athlete.”

Like Taylor, Martin received interest from other programs during the offseason but chose to stay with the Tigers without hesitation. “It’s about loyalty,” he states. “They believed in me here and gave me the chance to be my best self. I’m glad to be back and to lead this team.”

Defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins expects Martin to maintain his standout performance while also serving as a role model for his teammates. “You don’t achieve the success he did individually without recognizing the importance of your teammates,” Hankins notes. “He’s embraced the leadership role, and players in the locker room are drawn to him. He keeps everyone grounded. We’re only as good as our last play, and he embodies that mindset every day.”

Joining Martin is junior Elijah Herring, the most notable transfer for 2024 from Tennessee. Herring led the Volunteers last season with 80 tackles but sought a guaranteed starting position, prompting his move. The Tiger defense will also welcome back veterans like linemen CorMontae Hamilton and Keveion’ta Spears, as well as senior safety Greg Rubin, a three-year starter from White Station High School.

“We need to stay focused and aligned,” Martin emphasizes. “We must maintain the same trajectory and standards. Coach Silverfield does a great job guiding us in how we operate. Personally, I aim to be the quarterback of the defense. Last year, I was still finding my place. My goal is to have no missed assignments and fulfill my duties completely. Once I understand my assignment, I can focus on making additional plays—it’s about the little details.”

So why are standout players like Henigan, Taylor, and Martin returning for another season despite the alluring prospects of the transfer portal and potential NIL benefits? “They’re exceptional young men,” Silverfield says. “Loyalty appears to be fading in society and sports. When I spoke with Roc, I discussed both the positives and challenges here. What’s the best choice for him? Many are discovering that this program offers the best opportunity: the culture and what we’re building. If things are going well, why risk the unknown? They value honesty and can fully optimize their college football experience here.”

The Memphis football program has not often made headlines during the summer, but that changed in June when Antwann Hill Jr., the third-ranked quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, announced his commitment to the Tigers. If he signs in February, Hill will become the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history. This news is part of the “positivity snowball” that Silverfield talks about, which grew significantly last fall after FedEx founder Fred Smith pledged $50millionforrenovationsatSimmonsBankLibertyStadium.Theuniversityismatchingthisamount,alongwithanadditional$ 120 million in state funding.

“We are incredibly thankful to the Smith family,” Silverfield notes. “I consider them friends. This is a real game-changer. We were struggling with NIL; I was concerned about our ability to compete, regardless of our coaching staff. Building a roster without NIL is increasingly challenging. It has enabled us to compete. The question is, do we want to be relevant?”

Renovations to the Tigers’ stadium, which opened in 1965, aim to enhance its relevance in the upcoming FBS realignment. What was once a “Power 5” now consists of four major conferences: the SEC (16 teams), the Big 10 (18), the Big 12 (16), and potentially the ACC (14), which is the most likely home for Memphis. For now, Silverfield’s priority is clear: win the American Athletic Conference championship. Securing that title could lead to a spot in the newly expanded 12-team national playoff.

“Winning influences many things,” Silverfield explains, “but it’s not the sole factor in conference realignment. For instance, SMU invested heavily in football to move up, and Tulane did the same to improve. Our primary focus is to win the conference. As for realignment, we know it’s ongoing. No one expected Rutgers and UCLA to be playing a Wednesday night volleyball match. I can only control what I can control and keep myself informed, but the decisions about conferences are out of coaches’ hands.”

Having topped the preseason media poll, the Tigers aren’t in the position to claim they lack respect, which is unusual for them. Martin embodies his teammates’ mindset as they embrace their role as AAC favorites. “It puts a target on our opponents,” he says. “Everyone will give us their best effort. We need to focus even more and pay closer attention to details. It’s a week-to-week process.”

With the postseason now allowing for more teams, even those outside the major conferences have a shot at the national title. “I emphasize this during recruiting,” Silverfield highlights. “It makes Memphis even more appealing. Some SEC teams have no real chance of making the playoffs, but we do. We have to concentrate on having our best season and see where we stand in December.”