Memphis’ projected depth chart
With Memphis football returning 14 starters, there won’t be too many position battles to monitor when practice opens for the 2019 season Friday.
Here’s a look at what the Tigers’ depth chart could look like with the season opener on Aug. 31.
Quarterbacks
Starter: Brady White Reserves: Brady Mcbride, Connor Adair, Markevion Quinn, Sheldon Layman
White is locked in for his second year but if Memphis is involved in a blowout, expect to see Mcbride or Adair take their share of snaps. There might be some packages for Quinn, the most mobile of the group, but he’s still raw, and spring practice was his first action after an ACL injury. Layman is a true freshman.
Running back
Starters: Patrick Taylor, Kenneth Gainwell
Reserves: Kylan Watkins, Tim Taylor, Marquavius Weaver, Cameron Fleming, Rodrigues Clark
The skinny: Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard are gone from the threeheaded rushing monster, so now it’s Patrick Taylor and plenty of others to earn carries. Gainwell and Watkins will see the field in some capacity whether in the backfield or in the slot just because
of their speed and versatility. Tim Taylor dropped close to 20 pounds after being hurt in the spring. Clark is one of the freshmen who coach Mike Norvell has raved about for his size, frame and speed.
Wide receiver
Starters: Damonte Coxie, Pop Williams, Kedarian Jones
Reserves: Antonio Gibson, Calvin Austin III, Jeremy Tate
The skinny: Will Jones and Gibson step up after little production in 2018? That’s the key to how productive this group will be behind Coxie and Williams. Austin could see more reps as the track speedster improved as an allaround receiver in the spring, according to Norvell. At 6-foot-4, Tate is a potential matchup problem although he is a redshirt freshman.
Offensive line
Starters: Obinna Eze, Dylan Parham, Dustin Woodard, Manuel Oroña-lopez, Scottie Dill
Reserves: Titus Jones, Matt Dale, Isaac Ellis, Evan Fields, Peyton Jones
The skinny: Three new starters and four players in new positions is a lot of turnover. Woodard slides to center after being ALL-AAC at right guard. Can Eze live up to expectations in a bigger role? How fast can Oroña-lopez and Dill come together on the right side? After a veteran-led group the past two years, this will be the biggest test for offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield.
Tight end
Starters: Joey Magnifico Reserves: Sean Dykes, Tyce Daniel, Drew Martin
Magnifico could build on how valuable he was in the second half of last season. Dykes needs to bounce back after an up-and-down junior season, but he improved his blocking when the Tigers ran their two-tight end sets. Daniel appeared in eight games last year so he provides experience even though he has yet to catch a pass. Martin enrolled in the spring semester but missed practice due to injury.
Defensive line
Starters: Bryce Huff, O’bryan Goodson, Jonathan Wilson, Joseph Dorceus
Reserves: Everitt Cunningham, Kayode Oladele, John Tate, Wardalis Ducksworth
The skinny: All four expected starters played key roles in 2018 so there’s experience for new defensive line coach Tim Edwards. Dorceus can build on a breakout year and Wilson has been a steady presence the past three seasons. Cunningham adds another strong pass rusher after enrolling this spring, but keep an eye on Ducksworth, a transfer who also impressed in spring practice. Oladele, a former Auburn signee, also had a great spring after sitting out last year and Tate has proven depth at defensive tackle.
Linebacker
Starters: Austin Hall, JJ Russell, Tim Hart
Reserves: Keith Brown, Xavier Cullens, Cade Mashburn, Josh Perry
The skinny: Like Hall, Hart had a solid 2018 but needs to perform better. Russell rose from role player to starter so he can only get better in his third season. Brown was expected to contribute last year before a shoulder injury forced him to redshirt. If he’s healthy, he’ll add to a deep group. Cullens and Mashburn could be in for breakout seasons and Perry slides down after playing in the secondary the past two seasons.
Defensive back
Starters: TJ Carter, Tyrez Lindsey, La’andre Thomas, Chris Claybrooks
Reserves: Jacobi Francis, John Broussard, Rodney Owens, Quindell Johnson, Jashon Watkins-perkins
The skinny: There’s experience here but can the secondary limit the big plays they gave up too often? It starts with Carter but Claybrooks steps into a bigger role after his strong spring. A healthy Thomas is a good sign at safety with Lindsey but keep an eye on Owens, a promising junior college transfer. Broussard will also factor at cornerback after transferring from Auburn. Francis has experience starting three games last year but it’s in a crowded secondary.
Special teams
K: Riley Patterson P: Adam Williams KR: Chris Claybrooks, Kylan Watkins PR: Pop Williams The skinny: Patterson made 15 field goals last year, tied for second in the AAC, but his 75% conversion rate was seventh in the conference. He also missed a potential game-tying field goal in the Birmingham Bowl. Adam Williams was solid in his first season and should improve from averaging 43.2 yards per punt. Claybrooks steps into Pollard’s old role but Gainwell and Watkins could also see some return duty.