Kiper rates Memphis football stars
The Memphis football program has had a player picked in the NFL Draft seven years running.
The Tigers hope to make it eight when the selection process begins on April 29. Many of those draft-eligible former Memphis stars have returned to campus this week for the school’s annual Pro Day workout Friday.
The group is headlined by quarterback Brady White, running back Kenny Gainwell and wide receiver Damonte Coxie, but also includes kicker Riley Patterson, defensive lineman O’bryan Goodson and punter Adam Williams.
Here is how ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. views White, Gainwell and Coxie, along with how each former Tiger is approaching the prospect of extending their football careers.
Brady White
The school’s all-time winningest quarterback, White finished his Memphis career with more passing yards (10,690) and touchdown passes (90) than anyone else in program history.
“Is the arm strength good enough? He certainly gets the ball to his receivers,” Kiper said. “He finds receivers late in the progression. You see him move around and get the ball out of his hand and make accurate throws. I think probably priority free agent for Brady White. I don’t have a draft grade on him. He could get into camp as an undrafted free agent.”
White was asked Thursday what he would say to those who question his arm strength.
“I know what I can do,” said White, who continues to work with quarterback coach Jordan Palmer. “You’ve just got to put me in the position and I’ll show you.”
Kenny Gainwell
Kiper gave the former Tiger Allamerican, who was presented with the Football Writers’ Association of America Freshman of the Year award Thursday, a glowing review.
“I’ve liked Gainwell all along,” he said. “When you stack him up against guys who had good years, I think with his explosiveness, his versatility catching the ball, he’s a home run waiting to happen. I have him as the 7th highest rated running back. I have a third-, fourth-round grade on him.”
Gainwell, who has beefed up since opting out shortly before the start of the 2020 season, said not being in game situations since December 2019 has slightly hindered his progression. But it’s not a significant concern.
“I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder,” said Gainwell, who added he’s spoken to a number of NFL teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. “But I just stay down and work. I ain’t got time for all the talk. I just stay down and keep grinding.”
Damonte Coxie
Kiper said Coxie, one of the top receivers in program history, has the potential to do himself a lot of good depending on how he performs at Pro Day.
“He certainly showed well when he was out there at his best,” Kiper said. “He can make plays down the field, he can high point it. I have a fifth-round grade on him. We’ll have to see how his Pro Day goes. We haven’t finalized anything yet for obvious reasons but he’s got a chance.”
Coxie admits his skill set is maximized in a spread offense.
But, he wants to prove he’s multi-dimensional as well.
“I can run anything,” he said. “I like to block, too. I really get my best excitement on plays when I watch the running backs cutting up off my block. That’s really the most exciting thing, watching your back shoot off your block that you made.”
O’bryan Goodson
The four-year starter along the defensive line had his senior season cut short due to an unspecified injury.
Because of that, Goodson will only take part in the bench press drill during Friday’s Pro Day.
“I’m still recovering,” he said. “I just want to make sure I do everything the right way to make sure I’m healthy. I think my leverage, my strength and my quickness – I think those are the main things that will help me get and stay at the next level.”
Riley Patterson
Second in program history in points scored and field goal percentage, Patterson said the key to going through the process is the same as it is with placekicking.
“All I can do is do what I do best,” he said.
“And that’s make field goals, make good kickoffs and being the same type guy after a make or a miss. Same consistent mindset, same swing. So, as far as going out and being special or being different than someone else, I don’t know how to do that. All I need to know how to do is be myself.”
Adam Williams
The punter’s 43.5-yard average ranks second all-time at Memphis.
“I’ve been training super hard for punting technique,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to get stronger, faster, just better as an athlete. I had a lot of work to do with punting, so me and James Wilhoit in Nashville, we’ve been grinding just trying to get my technique right, my hang time and my flexibility just to be at my peak for Pro Day.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com.