After the most successful season in years, the University of Memphis Tigers football team has high expectations. The city of Memphis is excited about football for the first time in a long time. Here are the Tigers most likely to make the biggest impact in 2015.
1. QB Paxton Lynch: A good quarterback was essential in Tigers coach Justin Fuente’s plans to bring Memphis back to relevance. He found a great one in Paxton Lynch. Lynch has opened up the Tigers playbook due to his versatility. The 6-foot-7 quarterback threw for 22 touchdowns and ran for another 13. He’s primed for a big junior campaign running a high-powered offense.
2. LB Jackson Dillon: The Tigers’ defense lost most of their pass rushers that made the defense so great last season. Dillon, however, is the one that remains. The sophomore linebacker had 43 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 13 games last season. He is the only Tiger with 40 or more tackles returning from last season.
3. RB Doroland Dorceus: The Tigers are deep at the running back position this season and Dorceus is the best of the bunch. Before his knee injury last season, the sophomore tailback was showing why he was the number one back. His 76 attempts, 410 yards and 4 touchdowns were leading the team when he went down against Ole Miss. Now, Dorceus is healthy he should be ready to carry the load this season.
4. FS Reggis Ball: Ball is one of the few remaining defensive starters returning from last season. He will be the anchor for a weak secondary that struggled at times last season and lost former star Bobby McCain. Ball had 36 tackles and an interception last season and could be the face of the Tigers’ secondary this season.
5. Offensive Linemen Gabe Kuhn and Taylor Fallin: Gabe Kuhn lines up at center, while Fallin lines up at left tackle. Kuhn is expected to take a bigger leadership role this season. Fallin protects Lynch’s blind side and has been put up for the “Rotary Lombardi Watch List”. These two that are expected to make a big impact.
6. WR Mose Frazier: Frazier led the Tigers in receptions last season, but he could see more targets due to the departure of wide receiver Keiwone Malone. Frazier could see more targets around the red zone and deep down the field. The Tigers are deep at wide receiver and Frazier is the cream of the crop.
7. RB Sam Craft: Sam Craft struggled with injuries last season, but will bounce back as one of the Tigers featured rushers. Craft is going to make the Tigers’ rushing game more versatile and should be a threat to make catches out of the backfield.
8. K Jake Elliott: The Tigers kicker had a great season last year, only missing 11 kicks. He hit big kick after big kick for the Blue and Gray. He made the biggest kick the Tigers have seen in a long time in the Miami Beach Bowl. It was a 54-yarder to force overtime, where the Tigers eventually prevailed.
9. TE Alan Cross: Cross was instrumental in the passing game last season. The senior tight end gave Lynch a good target in the red zone and in open space. Cross had 28 receptions and 4 touchdowns. He wasn’t just valuable as a receiving target. Cross is a good blocker that can make a difference on the line.
10. CB Dontrell Nelson: Nelson is the most inexperienced player on this list. The junior appeared in 12 games last season and registered 8 tackles and 1 interception. This season he will probably be a starter and see much more time on the field this season.
For the first time in long time, football fans are excited to watch the Tigers — but they have high expectations.
