Which transfers will be the most impactful Memphis Tigers football offensive and defensive addition? Which returnee will have the best breakout season?

Tigers athletic director Ed Scott discussed Big 12 rejection, Memphis’ deal with FedEx and SEC scheduling before teeing off at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic.

Some fans were alarmed when the Memphis football account posted on social media last Saturday — a week before the home season opener — that Memphis is holding walk-on tryouts for defensive backs. 

The Tigers released their first depth chart of the 2025 season. Part of the two-deep was expected, but one omission raised eyebrows.

“Now that we’ve officially reached Week 1 of the college football season, here’s a heads up on what’s going to happen in 2025.”

“The new deal isn’t a panacea for Memphis athletics like getting into the Big 12 would be, but it’s the next best thing to keep the Tigers afloat in the intermediate.”

The late FedEx founder, who died on June 21, was a longtime supporter of the University of Memphis and was crucial to the sports department’s financial growth.

The relationship with FedEx continues to be a game-changer for a Memphis sports department looking to keep up in the new revenue-sharing era.

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The Tigers start the season against Chattanooga on Aug. 30, and coach Ryan Silverfield gave insight into the offensive line depth chart earlier this week. 

Nevada transfer receiver Cortez Braham is officially listed on the Memphis roster after committing to the Tigers on July 31. How much of the playbook will he be comfortable with by the season opener? 

“If you’re Memphis … it’s all about putting your best foot forward for when the next TV contract comes along,” CBS Sports college football insider Tony Barnhart said Monday. “Right now, at this time, it didn’t work out for Memphis. Maybe next time, it will.”

With the Tigers open the season with a home game against Chattanooga on Aug. 30, one player is out for the season. This is the second straight year he has suffered a significant injury during preseason camp.

Accomplishing that milestone would put Ger-Cari Caldwell in rare company.

Coach Ryan Silverfield named Nevada transfer Brendon Lewis as the starter earlier this week following a competition with true freshman AJ Hill and redshirt freshman Arrington Maiden.

When the top teams have a slim margin of error, there are a handful of conference games that ultimately decide the title race. Here are five games that could have the biggest impact on the conference standings this season.

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Memphis football names starting quarterback, per source

The Tigers have had a quarterback battle for most of the offseason, and that battle is now over. 

Predicting how good the Memphis Tigers will be this football season has been a bit of a mystery, and the revolving door of college football locker rooms are the main reason why. 

“There’s one quintessential Memphis sports story that should make your heart smile, and it’s unfolding in Pittsburgh as we speak.”

Multiple schools offered defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr. a major pay raise while in the portal. But, to him, the Memphis Tigers are worth the money. 

This is Part 3 of an exploration of hot college-sports topics for the Memphis Tigers and the American Conference heading into the 2025 football season.

The Tigers’ 34 votes were the ninth-most votes outside of the Top 25.

Greg Desrosiers Jr. has three songs on Apple Music and Spotify. Most of his music is unreleased, but he shares his catalog with teammates.

Part 2 of an exploration of hot college-sports topics for the Memphis Tigers and the American Conference heading into the 2025 football season.

This is Part 1 of an exploration of hot college-sports topics for the Memphis Tigers and the American Conference heading into the 2025 football season.

Sam Brumfield spent two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College to start his career. He played the 2023 season at Middle Tennessee before spending last season at Virginia Tech and will finish with the Tigers.