As more graduate transfers commit to schools, the transfer portal is coming to a close. With that, it seems the Memphis Tigers’ quarterback room is finalized. The clear QB1 is Seth Henigan, a maverick gun-slinger from Denton Ryan High School in Texas.
Among the entire Power 4 and American Athletic Conference, Henigan is the lone four-year starter who has remained at one school during that tenure. Among current FBS college quarterbacks, Henigan’s 10,791 pass yards rank third. Other accomplishments for Henigan include:
- 2023 Season: 317/475 (67%) 3,880 yards, 32 TDs – 9 INTs, 274 yards rushing and 5 TDs
- Career stats: 811/1277 (64%) 10,366 yards 77 TDs – 23 INTs, 705 yards rushing, and 8 TDs
- 2023 2nd Team All-AAC
- Ended the 2023 season ranked fourth in the NCAA for passing yards, fifth in passing touchdowns
- Has started every game since 2021
- Memphis’ all-time leader in passing yards
Henigan’s Scouting Report
Among draft circles, Seth Henigan is a name I’ve seldom heard. Understandably, the majority of his draft stock will be predicated on what he does in 2025. But with a big year, he has a chance to hear his name called early in the 2025 NFL draft. Here’s what will appeal to scouts about Henigan’s game:
- Production & Developability – In his three years as a starter, Henigan has broken records but more importantly won games – both qualities NFL teams look for. Additionally, he is only 21 years old, which is rare for draft prospects in the transfer portal era.
- Accuracy & Layering – Henigan is accurate at all three levels as shown by his 65% career completion percentage. I like his ability to layer the ball between the second and third levels of the defense.
- IQ & Pre-snap Process – One of the most impressive things Memphis’ Henigan has is his understanding of his receiver’s stride. He rarely makes pass catchers break stride, especially on the deep ball. He also has shown the ability to diagnose defenses before the play and adjust accordingly.
- Off-Script Playmaking – Henigan isn’t Lamar Jackson but has the athleticism to move the chains when needed. He keeps his eyes downfield as long as he can before passing the line of scrimmage.
- Pocket Presence & Diagnosis – Henigan had an excellent offensive line in 2023 and took full advantage of it. He remained poised in the pocket through full-field reads and progressions.
Henigan’s Heisman Hopes
Well, it is certainly a long shot. VegasInsider.com has him at +25000 odds to win the Heisman. In the 90-year history of the award, only one player not in a power conference has won the Heisman. The six QBs who won the award in the 2010s averaged 4,438 yards of total offense and 47 touchdowns – both semi-realistic numbers for Henigan.
It’s bad fandom to not believe your quarterback is up for the Heisman, but I certainly won’t be holding my breath.
Of course, that should be a goal for Henigan, but the ultimate goal is to win the conference and make the College Football Playoff. If he accomplishes any of these, he will be the best quarterback in program history – if he isn’t already.
