Coach Justin Fuente is looking for big things from several newcomers.
With preseason football practice approaching, here are some Memphis newcomers of note
When the University of Memphis opens preseason football camp Thursday at the Murphy Athletic Complex, coach Justin Fuente will find himself slightly more familiar with his surroundings, his players and his staff.
A year ago, Fuente, 37, was a rookie coach inheriting a struggling program. Thursday, he’ll officially will begin his second season after guiding the Tigers to a 4-8 record that included three straight wins to end the season. He’ll welcome back Jacob Karam, the starting quarterback, and the majority of a defense that developed into a team strength. Also returning will be Fuente’s entire coaching staff, uncommon in college football and a rarity at the U of M, which routinely loses top assistants to schools in major conferences.
With that foundation, Fuente will guide the Tigers into their inaugural season in a Bowl Championship Series league. The U of M moves from Conference USA to the American Ath- letic Conference (formerly the Big East) with the knowledge that a league title is rewarded with a BCS bowl berth.
WR JOE CRAIG
Intriguing fact: Craig was rated the No. 3 fastest athlete in the nation by Rivals.com coming out of Gaffney (S.C.) High.
At the numerous offseason speaking engagements in which Fuente has appeared, a mention of Craig and his world-class speed has been a staple. Fuente is looking forward to Craig, a 200-meter champion in high school, giving the Tiger offense a chance to spread the field vertically.
A former Clemson player, Craig, a 5-11 junior, transferred to the U of M after spending last season at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) Community Col-
While such a dramatic turnaround is unlikely for a program seeking its first winning season since 2007, the U of M — picked to finish last in the American — enters the season with momentum and its share of intriguing firstyear players to monitor during preseason workouts.
Here are five of them: lege, where he caught 63 passes for 777 yards and nine touchdowns.
“He brings an added dimension to us on the outside, a weapon our guys can go to,” Fuente said. “He’s someone who can run with the best of them.” QB PAXTON LYNCH
Intriguing fact: Passed for 237 yards and 3 TDs in 2011 Central Florida AllStar Game to earn MVP honors.
At 6- 6 and 225 pounds, Lynch was difficult to overlook as he worked with the U of M offense last year as a redshirt. Lynch possesses a strong arm, a sharp mind and will push returning starter Jacob Karam for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Several major schools backed off Lynch when he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him the first half of his senior season at Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, Fla., but when they resurfaced late in the year he honored his Memphis commitment.
“Paxton had an outstanding spring,” Fuente said. “He has a lot of tools and a chance to be really, really good. He is young,
but he’s in the mix.” LB RYAN COLEMAN
Intriguing fact: Played freshman season (2011) at Idaho State after sitting out 2010 as a redshirt.
Coleman, a 6 - 3, 225-pound junior college transfer, joined the program in the spring and appears as if he’ll move comfortably into the spot vacated by Akeem Davis. Coleman has shown bigplay ability during his career. At Carter High in Rialto, Calif., he set a record with a three-interception game. At Riverside (Calif.) Community College last fall, he helped spark a comeback win over Citrus by returning an interception 14 yards for a TD and in 2011 at Idaho State he returned a pick 94 yards for a score. RB MARQUIS WARFORD
Intriguing fact: San Antonio-area Offensive Player of the Year in Class 5A averaged 29.8 yards per carry in a 358-yard rushing effort against Churchill his senior season.
Any one of four freshman running backs could have been listed here. Newcomers Robert Davis,