Brady White has been making big strides in his second season with the Tigers, but he has had a lot of help along the way. Aside from Kenneth Gainwell and the running game, the talented special teams unit and improving the Tigers’ defense, the Tigers look more balanced than they have in years. Still, White needs someone to pass to, and everyone on Memphis’ offense has stepped up to make big plays when the ball’s been thrown in their direction.
Last year’s leading receiver was Damonte Coxie who had 72 catches for 1,174 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. The next closest pass catcher was Tony Pollard who had 458 receiving yards.
Though the junior has taken a bit of a step back this season, he still leads all wideouts in passing yards and catches with 417 receiving yards on 32 receptions ahead of this Saturday’s game against Tulsa.
Gainwell entered the game leading the team with 440 receiving yards and 34 receptions. He had been the offense’s top player as he leads the team in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage.
Seniors Kedarian Jones and Antonio Gibson, have both stepped up from their performances last year and have both shown an ability to make big plays downfield.
Last season, Jones only had nine catches in the 14 games he played in. This year, he already has 17 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdowns are the most he has gotten in his previous three seasons with the team.
Gibson, a transfer from East Central Community College, joined the team in 2018 and had six catches for 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
This season, he’s nearly doubled his catches through the first seven contests and has 272 receiving yards and four touchdowns to show for it. He is the team’s leader in receiving touchdowns.
In the Tigers’ 42-41 win against Tulsa, White completed 15 of his 25 pass attempts for 277 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The team’s leading receiving trio played a big part in his game and were some of the top performers of the game.
Coxie had five catches for 112 receiving yards. His 59-yard play helped set up what would be the Memphis’ game winning touchdown.
Jones had two catches for 47 receiving yards.
Gibson had two receptions for 79 receiving yards and one touchdown. He also had 18 rushing yards on three attempts.
Fellow wide receiver, Calvin Austin III has also been making strides this season as he has been able to use his speed to blaze past receivers downfield. Against Tulsa, he had three catches for 57 yards. He even had a rushing touchdown, his first of the season.
The tight ends have also made plays this season, especially senior, Joey Magnifico.
He leads all tight ends in receiving yards and catches. He had 15 catches, 298 receiving yards and one touchdown entering this week.
Against Tulsa, he had one catch for fives receiving yards and a touchdown.
This game just served as a reminder of how balanced not only the receiving group, but the offense has become in Norvell’s fourth year as the team’s head man in charge.
