Moving on from 2024
Memphis’ 2024 season was the second best in program history. The Tigers racked up 11 wins for the second time ever, concluded the campaign with a triumphant Frisco Bowl victory over West Virginia, and landed at No. 24 in the final AP Poll (only trailing 2019’s No. 17 ranking). It was the best campaign in five years under Ryan Silverfield, and the head coach is fresh off producing 21 wins in two years for the first time in Memphis history.
Despite all the historic accomplishments, Memphis still fell
short of some of its goals in 2024. The Tigers — despite two-straight 10+ win seasons — haven’t returned to the AAC Championship Game since 2019. Memphis dropped close matchups to Navy and UTSA to prevent qualification, which ultimately ruined a chance at the College Football Playoff.
But Memphis was as strong as anyone in the AAC in 2024. The Tigers finished a perfect 5-0 outside their conference, including the Frisco Bowl win, and now they set their sights on 2025 — with a chance to produce their 12th-straight .500+ season (currently holding the sixth-longest streak in the FBS).
2024 record: 11-2 (6-2 AAC)
Frisco Bowl: defeated West Virginia, 42-37
#24 finish in AP Poll
What’s different in 2025?
Memphis is typically the beacon of stability and continuity. The Tigers haven’t fired a head coach since 2011, and they usually get at least three years out of their starting quarterbacks.
While head coach Ryan Silverfield, offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, and defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins all return to staff, the 2025 Tigers look nothing like the 2024 iteration of the team.
That starts at quarterback, where Colorado and Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis replaces four-year starter Seth Henigan. Lewis comes equipped with 35 collegiate starts and earned All-Mountain West honorable mention status in 2024. He isn’t the only new fixture offensively — almost the whole offense changes.
Memphis brings in Middle Tennessee running back Frank Peasant to join a veteran backfield, wide receivers Jadon Thompson (Louisville) and CJ Smith (Purdue) to join a less experienced receiving corps, new tight ends Jerry Cross and Matt Anderson, and a horde of linemen to replace last year’s bunch — Yakiri Walker, Austin Gentle, and Parker Mitchell to name a few.
If the offense doesn’t feature enough transfers, nearly the entire two-deep defensively is composed of portal additions. Outside linebackers Drue Watts and Sam Brumfield are the biggest acquisitions on this side, serving as potential replacements to All-AAC star Chandler Martin. The transfer-led secondary features Myles Pollard, Omarion Cooper, Jaylen Thompson, Kamari Wilson, and others. Then, the defensive line is reloaded with Rayyan Buell (Colorado) and Pooda Walker (Kennesaw State).
Depending on position battles, there could be around 14-17 transfers starting for Memphis — giving Silverfield his most challenging coaching job to date.
Players to watch
- Brendon Lewis, QB (Sr.) — You don’t simply replace Seth Henigan. Henigan was a four-year starter, set virtually every Memphis passing record, and ranks 13th all-time on the FBS passing yards list. But Lewis is the successor, and unlike all of the other Memphis quarterbacks during this successful run — Henigan, Brady White, Riley Ferguson, and Paxton Lynch — he’ll only get one year to prove his merit. What’s also unique about the Colorado and Nevada transfer is he possesses better mobility than any Tiger quarterback in recent memory. Lewis rushed for 775 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing for 2,290 and 16 last season at Nevada.
- Greg Desrosiers Jr., RB (Sr.) — Memphis almost always has elite running back talent. Desrosiers was an excellent second option behind Mario Anderson Jr. last season, and now Desrosiers should see an expanded role in 2025. He battled injuries throughout 2024, but when available he was dynamite, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Desrosiers was instrumental to last September’s victory at Florida State as both a rusher and receiver, and in the Frisco Bowl, he turned on the burners for a 46-yard touchdown run against the West Virginia defense. Even if he wins status as the No. 1 back, he’ll likely share carries with Frank Peasant and Sutton Smith in the backfield.
- Jadon Thompson, WR (Sr.) — Memphis’ 2024 receiving corps was a special group, featuring Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee, and Koby Drake. With all three options gone, someone has to step up. One candidate is Jadon Thompson, who arrives at his third university after stops at Cincinnati and Louisville. The 6’2” receiver has plenty of exposure across five seasons, and he’ll look for a breakout sixth season in a new offensive system. There are plenty of firsts Thompson awaits in 2025, including his first 100-yard game.
- William Whitlow Jr., DE (Sr.) — Whitlow is the only returning defensive starter for the Tigers. Memphis exuded one of its better defenses in recent memory last year and Whitlow’s presence was a huge part of that. The defensive end produced a team-high 4.0 sacks to go along with seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He’ll have plenty of transfers around him, but Memphis knows it has a capable and established leader on defense in Whitlow — a 2024 First Team All-AAC selection.
- Sam Brumfield, OLB (Sr.) — Sam Brumfield is at his third school in three years, and this is another place he can cause severe damage. After a stint at the JUCO level, Brumfield burst onto the scene in 2023 at Middle Tennessee as an All-CUSA linebacker. Then he took his talents to Virginia Tech, started the majority of the season, and continued to produce. Across his two FBS seasons, Brumfield has 141 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Arguably Memphis’ biggest need this offseason was linebacker, and Brumfield is here to fill a major vacancy at the position.
Key games
- Week 4, Sept. 20 — vs. Arkansas: Memphis cleared its entire 2024 non-conference slate and usually handle its September slate quite well. In fact, the Tigers’ last non-conference home loss transpired in 2021. This year, Memphis welcomes Arkansas in Week 4 in a matchup that should bring a lively crowd to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The teams haven’t met since 1998, and it’s a perfect opportunity for the AAC to pick up a coveted SEC win — which could help in College Football Playoff arguments vs. other conferences. Ryan Silverfield has won many of these games over the years; now his next test looms.
- Week 11, Nov. 7 — vs. Tulane: Memphis is the most consistent winner in the AAC, and it’s been over a decade since the Tigers saw a losing season. But lately, Tulane has stolen the Tigers’ thunder and won conference games at a greater pace, qualifying for three-straight AAC title games. Last Thanksgiving was a welcome sight for Memphis, as the Tigers stunned the Green Wave in New Orleans and ended Tulane’s unbeaten AAC record. The rematch awaits on a Friday night on ESPN to start the month of November. Considering both teams’ recent histories, AAC title stakes are on the line here.
- Week 12, Nov. 15 — at East Carolina: Memphis’ road slate is fairly manageable in 2025, and a November trip to Greenville, NC stands as the toughest test the Tigers face away from home. It’s been three years since the Tigers and Pirates last battled, and ECU rides a 2-game win streak in the series — outlasting Memphis in a memorable 2022 four-overtime finish. The Pirates are loaded at skill position talent, but at least Memphis’ defense will have time to gel before this matchup arrives. In order to return to their first AAC title game since 2019, the Tigers need to win on the road in November.
- Week 14, Nov. 27 — vs. Navy: Memphis fell for the ultimate trap game in 2024. Fresh off an emotional win at Florida State, the Tigers traveled to Annapolis and lost in shootout form to the Midshipmen, sealed by a late pick-six. Memphis and Navy have engaged in captivating battles over the years, and this one should be no exception. It should garner plenty of attention as the nightcap on Thanksgiving Day — a holiday which now belongs to the AAC, now that the Egg Bowl is a Black Friday staple. Memphis won a massive game last Thanksgiving over Tulane. Let’s see what the Tigers can do at home on Turkey Day.
Overall outlook
Nobody in the AAC is more accustomed to perennial success than Memphis. The Tigers are fresh off their best two-year stint in program history, winning 21 games and two bowls. Across the last 11 years, they’ve finished ranked four times and won 10+ games on five occasions, sustaining success from Justin Fuente to Mike Norvell to Ryan Silverfield.
But Silverfield’s sixth year features more change than Memphis has witnessed over those 11 years. The Tigers only return three starters, so there is more uncertainty than usual.
Memphis is on an incredible quarterback run, spanning the past 11 years with just Paxton Lynch, Riley Ferguson, Brady White, and Seth Henigan as its quarterbacks. Now it’s time to replace the most decorated of the four, and the Tigers hope Brendon Lewis is the ideal man for the job. His mobility gives him a different dimension than his predecessors, rushing for nearly 800 yards in 2024. But a Tim Cramsey offense often features 300+ yard passing performances — something Lewis has not yet attained through 39 appearances and 35 starts.
Lewis possesses plentiful experience, but the same can’t be said about his receiving corps. Jadon Thompson is a sixth-year senior who got decent run at Cincinnati and Louisville, but now he looks to emerge as a No. 1 or No. 2 option in this offense. CJ Smith is another transfer by way of Georgia and Purdue, and the former national champion has 12 receptions in three years suiting up. The portal also brought Memphis new tight ends in Jerry Cross (Penn State) and Bryce Anderson (Iowa Central Community College), but there are still familiar faces among the pass catchers — 2024 wide receiver reserves Marcello Bussey, Brady Kluse, and Jamari Hawkins.
Running back is perhaps Memphis’ most established unit with veterans Greg Desrosiers Jr. and Sutton Smith (missed last 13 games of 2024 with ACL injury) back in the fold, along with former Middle Tennessee starter Frank Peasant, who arrives with 1,511 career rushing yards.
The only two starters returning on offense will be blocking for this deep running back corps. That includes left tackle Chris Adams and right guard Malachi Breland. Memphis lost all three of its All-AAC selections on the o-line, so once again, the portal was consulted to fill in the blank spaces.
William Whitlow Jr. is the lone defensive starter back in the mix, and he’s an important one to have, considering his status as a First Team All-AAC selection and the team’s 2024 sack leader. Whitlow is primed for another excellent season, but nearly every piece around him is unfamiliar. The defensive line takes a new shape with Ohio and Colorado transfer Rayyan Buell on the edge and Kennesaw State transfer Pooda Walker on the interior.
The strength of Memphis’ defense in 2024 was undoubtedly is linebacking corps led by star Chandler Martin and supported by Elijah Herring and Matt Hudson. All three are gone, so the portal is here to reload the unit. Arguably Memphis’ best transfer adds were outside backers Sam Brumfield (Virginia Tech) and Drue Watts (Nevada) and both gathered 60+ tackles as starters last season.
The secondary brings back a few familiar faces that could rise into starting roles such as Kourtlan Marsh and Cameron Miller, but once again, it’s primarily composed of portal arrivals. Myles Pollard (Michigan) and Omarion Cooper (Florida State) are potential starting cornerbacks, while Kamari Wilson (Arizona State), Jaylen Thompson (Michigan State) and Chris Bracy (UAB) should compete for time at safety.
With all these moving parts, Memphis needs to trust defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins. His first year on the job was quite impressive, and the Tigers allowed under 24 points per game for the first time since 2014. Memphis held more than half of its schedule to 20 or fewer, and the Tigers will need a strong defensive foundation to qualify for the AAC title game.
Offensively, Memphis is usually in tremendous shape, finishing top 22 in scoring offense in nine of the last 11 seasons — including a 12th-place finish in 2024. The amount of turnover the Tigers must handle is daunting, but the schedule starts out quite manageable with Chattanooga (FCS), Georgia State, and Troy in the first three weeks — allowing time for things to gel.
The fans in Memphis are eagerly awaiting another AAC Championship Game appearance. It’s been six years, and although this Tiger team isn’t assigned last year’s expectations by most fans, we’ve seen transfer-laden teams click immediately before.
2025 AAC preseason previews:
Army, Charlotte, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Memphis
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