It’s spring again. You know what that means, don’t you? If you don’t, well, you’re kind of supposed to.
For some, that means it’s time to start pulling weeds (there’s usually a lot). Then folks tend to plant begonias, tulips, gladiolus, and really anything else that they can find. It’s so much fun. For others it’s time to lace up your cleats, put on the shoulder pads and buckle your chinstrap.
Spring football practice has been back for the Memphis Tigers and every other major Power 5 conference in the FBS. It’s time to get hit or be hit. It’s time to put up or shut up. It’s time to earn your place on the coach’s roster. If you can.
The Memphis football program finished last season with a 9-4 record, went 5-3 in conference play and left a few things on the table like the AAC West division and the 2015 Birmingham Bowl, where SEC powerhouse Auburn took care of business.
Enough said.
So, just what exactly should the Memphis student body and the programs fans be expecting from the Tigers heading into the “Friday Night Stripes” scrimmage on April 22 and the 2016 season to follow? Let’s take a look.
The coaching change will make or break this team
Justin Fuente is by far one of the hottest coaching properties in all of college football. It’s his fault the Memphis Tigers had a 10-win season two years ago. It’s also his fault Memphis went 9-4 last year and almost took the AAC West again.
Spring football is back in northwest Tennessee and Fuente is no longer listed on the UM’s athletics department payroll, having taken the same position across the way at a neighboring Power 5 conference program in the ACC.
The program responded by hiring Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell.
Wise move.
ASU dipped to 6-7 last season. But the Sun Devils did put up 10-win seasons in 2013 and 2014. Norvell’s offenses likely factored into that kind of charge.
That’s not bad.
Arizona State averaged 36.3 points per game in 2014, ranking No. 16 nationally.
That’s not bad, either.
Keep an eye on coach Norvell’s approach. By all accounts, more of the same could be on the way for the Memphis offense. Much more.
The quarterback situation is heating up
I am by no means going to sugarcoat this. So pay attention. Paxton Lynch is no longer at the Tigers’ service. He has declared for the NFL draft and word has it that he is already in the business of turning some heads.
Lynch is gone. But all does not have to be lost. The Tigers do have a few options to exercise that are listed on the depth chart.
Coach Norvell emphasized before spring ball teed off that he didn’t expect to name a starter unless JUCO transfer Riley Ferguson, rising redshirt freshman Brady Davis, or senior Jason Stewart truly distinguished themselves.
According to Norvell, Riley has been doing a really nice job in game situations in practice. Stewart has also had some nice practices and Brady has been impressive.
Ferguson has reportedly received the lion’s share of the first-team reps, lately.
The quarterbacks have only so many collegiate-level snaps to speak of. But it’s time to go. So one of them is going to have to saddle up. Reps are money in the Tigers huddle this spring. They’ll be worth more during fall camp. Much more. The competition for QB1 will rage as coach Norvell evaluates closely. It has already been kindled.
The defense needs to get in the zone
Memphis’ defense finished the 2015 season ranked No. 76 in the country (that’s 100th against the pass and 36th against the run).
There’s room for improvement. Word has it the Tiger defense has been bringing it during spring practice.
Per the University of Memphis athletics, “the defense recorded five sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry during the football team’s second scrimmage of the spring schedule.”
Well alright, then. Hopefully that’s a start.
Wideout Anthony Miller is on the way
Be afraid, AAC opposition. Be very afraid. If you’re not there, you need to get there.
Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller was nobody of consequence at this time last season. This year, he is going to be a force that really shouldn’t be ignored. At all.
“He’s a threat vertically down the field. He’s great in the quick and intermediate passing game. We’re going to hand it to him,” Norvell said. “The big thing that I think (is) he really plays like a running back, post-possession — breaking tackles, explosive runs. He’s had a tremendous spring.”
Miller caught 47 passes for almost 700 yards and a team-best five touchdowns a year ago. He’s back. According to Norvell, he has had a tremendous spring and doesn’t figure to have much of a ceiling.
That should pump a round of excitement into the Memphis offense moving forward.
The linebacker corps is going to be a force
While Miller is doing his thing on offense, inside linebacker Genard Avery figures to be his counterpart on defense. Everybody had better watch out. Genard is a loose cannon back there. He doesn’t play around.
Avery had multiple sacks during last Saturday’s scrimmage. He had a few more during team drills on Tuesday. The kid just doesn’t stop. Nor does he have any legitimate brakes to speak of on his scouting report.
The sophomore was second in team sack totals last season with three. And he was only playing in second gear. Expect him to exceed last season’s freshman.
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