The Memphis Tigers are a quarter of the way through their 2023 campaign. As expected, they are 3-0, with wins over Bethune-Cookman, Arkansas State, and Navy.
While it’s nice to be undefeated, there’s some room for improvement if Memphis hopes to have the success they want this season. Let’s dive deeper into how the Tigers got here by analyzing which players have impressed and which have underwhelmed. Here are the studs and duds for Memphis football through three weeks.
The Studs for Memphis
These players have been critical in the Tigers getting off to a 3-0 start.
Blake Watson, Senior RB
Watson has been nothing short of electric for Memphis. In July, I wrote about my high hopes for the ODU transfer. And through three weeks, Watson has done more than live up to these lofty expectations. With an impressive stat line of 40 carries, 295 yards, and four touchdowns, Memphis’ RB1 has been one of the nation’s best at his position.
If the Tigers hope to beat Missouri, Watson has to get the ball more often. Thus far, he’s displayed the necessary talent to operate in a high-usage role. His most impressive performance of the season came against Navy, where he broke off a pair of 69-yard runs, including this eye-popping one. Turn on Watson’s film, and you can see the vision, patience, burst, contact balance, and unteachable toughness that he possesses.
It’s why I’m so high on him as a player and believe he undoubtedly has an NFL future. Labeling Watson as a “stud” feels like an understatement. He has been the MVP of this Memphis football team. Don’t take watching Watson in Tiger Blue for granted, as he will soon be a pro.
Chandler Martin, Sophomore LB
The transfer linebacker from ETSU is always in the film room, something he shows on the field with his impressive play recognition ability. Often, it feels like Martin knows what the opposing team is running before they know it themselves. Playing against the patented triple-option offense of Navy is always a tough assignment for linebackers. It’s nearly impossible to know where the ball is going when facing the Midshipmen.
However, that didn’t prove to be a problem for the always-cerebral Martin. The sophomore led the game in tackles with nine. Not only did he have an excellent game on the stat sheet, but he also stood out on film, consistently being the first player to the football. His intriguing combination of intelligence and sideline-to-sideline speed make Chandler Martin a player we’ll see on Sundays.
Andres Fox, Senior DL
Despite not playing in the Navy game, Fox had a very productive first two games for Memphis. He amassed 7.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and a forced fumble. He’s displayed an impressive ability to rush the passer, consistently putting pressure on the quarterback. If Andres Fox keeps it up, his sack totals and statistical production will skyrocket.
Deago Brumfield, Sophomore CB
Brumfield playing at this high of a level is something I certainly didn’t expect. Against Arkansas State, he stood out, finishing with five pass breakups, four tackles, and a forced fumble. Outside of this game, he hasn’t been mentioned much on the broadcast, and that’s good. The sophomore corner has done his job for the Tigers and should be the CB1 for the remainder of the season. Brumfield’s length, fluidity, and aggressiveness will allow him to mirror X-receivers all year.
Roc Taylor, Junior WR
Taylor has been Seth Henigan’s most reliable target, bringing in 15 catches over three contests. Near the end of the first half against Navy, Taylor made a highlight reel play, catching a clutch end zone fade. The junior leads the team in receiving yards (154 yards) while being tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (one TD).
Going forward, Toledo transfer Demeer Blankumsee is likely the number one option at receiver due to his established rapport with Henigan. However, the emergence of Roc Taylor at wideout will be a big piece of the puzzle for the Memphis offense.
The Duds for Memphis
Despite the 3-0 start, these players/coaches have disappointed.
Seth Henigan, Junior QB
Henigan being on the duds list may be controversial. However, I have been slightly underwhelmed with Henigan compared to my preseason expectations. Looking at the stat sheet, Henigan has played well. He has thrown for 791 yards and five touchdowns and has rushed for another three.
A bit of a deeper look and some concerns pop up. The season didn’t start great for the Tiger signal caller, as he threw two interceptions against a subpar Bethune-Cookman team. And in the weeks since, he hasn’t done much to dispel the concerns of the Memphis faithful.
Henigan has the highest self-inflicted pressure rate in all of college football. This means that he’s struggling to make his reads, and he’s the one putting himself in trouble, not the offensive line. While this didn’t slow Memphis much against lowly competition in weeks one and two, it almost put them in the loss column against Navy. Last Thursday, Henigan had a mere 40.4 QBR as the Tigers squeaked out a close victory against a Navy team that, while better than their previous two opponents, aren’t world beaters. As Memphis heads into their most challenging stretch of the season, the team’s QB1 will have to step up.
Jevyon Ducker, Junior RB
Ducker shows up on the duds list not because of his poor play (5.1 YPC) but because of his inability to see the field. With just eight carries on the season, Ducker is headed for a second consecutive season of declining production with Memphis. The junior rushed for over 1,000 yards in his freshman campaign at NIU but hasn’t replicated this performance in the years since. And with the emergence of Blake Watson as an elite back and Sutton Smith solidifying a backup role, Ducker may be hard-pressed to find more playing time.
Tim Cramsey, OC/QB Coach
Despite Memphis’s talent on the offensive end, the offense leaves a lot to be desired. Much of this blame rests on the Tiger play-caller, Tim Cramsey. Through three games, Memphis’ offense has appeared incredibly predictable and, honestly, a bit hard to watch.
Cramsey’s conservative playcalling consistently leaves the Tiger offense in tough spots. The offensive playbook needs to open up, and the team’s playmakers have the talent to make it happen. And while the play of star running back Blake Watson has been a bright spot, there hasn’t been much hope beyond that with the Memphis offense. If Memphis wants to make it through the most brutal stretch of their schedule, it will boil down to their offensive coordinator’s ability to open up the playbook and utilize his weapons.
