Tigers understand roles
Memphis head coach Mike Norvell has said he’s looking for leaders this season with only eight seniors on the roster.
After the first few practices, players are starting to emerge and be more vocal than before. During Sunday’s practice at the Liberty Bowl, senior offensive lineman Trevon Tate addressed a few teammates who needed to be corrected.
It seemed minor but it was a sign that players are understanding their role and, even with 16 returning starters, more was required of them.
“At this point of age in my career, I already know what needs to be done and what is expected of the coaches,” Tate said, “So it’s my job as a senior leader to hold guys accountable.”
Sophomore defensive back TJ Carter showed similar initiative when he addressed a defensive huddle during the second day of practice. Tate’s words carried equal weight as one of three seniors on the offensive line and a returning all-AAC first team selection.
Tate said his approach was less tough love and more understanding how to motivate his teammates with guidance instead of embarrassing them.
“You talk to them and give them advice on how they can do it better but you just teach them as they do just like I had to get taught when I was younger,” Tate said.
Freshmen finding comfort
Memphis’ newcomers have had to fight for time on the field with loaded depth charts ahead of them. But a few have caught Norvell’s eye early on so far.
Freshman running back Kenny Gainwell spent some time with the second unit during 7-on-7 drills Sunday. Gainwell was a three-star recruit coming out of Yazoo County High School in Mississippi where he was featured as a dualthreat quarterback.
Norvell added that Gainwell has been shadowing Tony Pollard since both possess similar versatility on the field.
“We thought when we signed (Kenny) that he would be an impact player for us coming in early,” Norvell said .”He’s played quarterback and running back in high school, he’s got really good hands, and so he’s right now in that same mold of what we’re looking for.”
Along with Gainwell, fellow freshman Cameron Fleming, another threestar recruit, also earned praise. Although the backfield remains crowded with Darrell Henderson, Patrick Taylor and Tim Taylor, Norvell wasn’t shy about hinting at what could come behind them.
“I think we’ve got a couple future great players in those two,” Norvell said.
Evan Barnes
A nice return home
Sunday was one of two preseason practices the Tigers will hold at the Liberty Bowl. They are scheduled to return on Aug. 23, a week before the season opener against Mercer on Sept. 1
The change of scenery added to the intensity at practice, and it will grow even more with the first practice in full pads coming Wednesday.
The Tigers will continue practicing at the Park Avenue campus the remainder of the fall except for a four-day trip to Jackson where they will have two practices and a scrimmage from Aug. 16-18 at the Memphis Lambuth campus.