All signs point to a huge 2024 for the Memphis Tigers’ offense.
Not only are they returning the leading passer in the AAC from a year ago, but the Tigers are bringing back their top two pass catchers in Roc Taylor and Demeer Blankumsee. Taylor was third in the league in receiving yards (1,083) and Blankumsee’s 902 yards were seventh-most.
The duo were quarterback Seth Henigan’s favorite targets and part of a high-powered offense that led the AAC in scoring last year at 39.4 points per game. Henigan is going into his senior season and fourth year as the starting QB for Memphis. He took a huge step forward from his sophomore year to his junior campaign and finished with 3,883 passing yards and 32 touchdowns — also a league high.
It won’t be surprising if college football betting odds have Memphis as one of the favorites to win the league solely based on what it’s returning offensively.
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Aside from bringing back Taylor and Blankumsee, the Tigers will also be returning pass catchers Koby Drake and Anthony Landphere. Drake was the fifth-leading receiver last season after hauling in 33 receptions for 352 yards and two TDs. Landphere was the Tigers No. 1 tight end and finished with 290 yards and three scores on 29 receptions. Both should see their roles expand.
The returning production doesn’t stop there, however. Up front, Memphis still has three linemen who started in its Liberty Bowl victory over Iowa State. Redshirt senior Jonah Gambill has spent most of his time at left guard and started every game he appeared in over the past two seasons. He also started eight games as a freshman. Xavier Hill returns at left tackle and was a second-team All-AAC selection last season. The redshirt junior started all 13 games in 2023. Mitchell Gildehaus will return and should start at right guard again or could start at center.
After losing the second-leading rusher in the conference in Blake Watson — who recently signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos — the Tigers bring back Sutton Smith. He was the second-most productive back on the roster last season, finishing with 357 total yards and four total TDs.
It was what the Tigers added, though, that will really complete their offense heading into the season.
Mario Anderson transferred from South Carolina, where he led the Gamecocks in rushing with 707 yards and three TDs. The senior added 153 yards and a score through the air. If the spring game was any indication of what the season will bring, it’s that Anderson will provide a huge boost to one of the most explosive and experienced offenses in the FBS.
Scoring more than the 64 TDs that the Tigers put up last season will be hard to do, but there’s a real possibility they eclipse that mark.
The NFL Draft just ended and there weren’t any Memphis players selected, but don’t be surprised if you’re hearing a couple of these guys’ names called in next year’s draft. Especially Henigan, who could set himself apart in a QB class that looks pretty weak as of right now.
