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Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Frank Bonner II, Geoff Calkins and John Martin each week.
Several college football teams benefitted this past season from the NCAA ruling that granted players an extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic.
Memphis had seven athletes return for the 2021 season as what the Tigers listed on their roster as fifth-year seniors. According to the 2022 spring roster, Memphis has 12 fifth years for the upcoming season.
It was obvious how big it was for the Tigers to return players such as tight end Sean Dykes and linebacker JJ Russell who earned the team’s MVP award. Before moving on to next season, we can look at just how impactful Memphis’ fifth-year seniors were, especially for the defense. Six of the seven fifth-year athletes were defensive players.
Having veterans hang around for an extra year has proved to be extremely helpful for the Tigers. Dykes was the only offensive athlete to do it this past season but four of the 12 fifth-year seniors are offensive players this year, including two offensive linemen. Memphis will need to have a more improved running game if it wants to bounce back from its 6-6 record and keeping its veteran offensive linemen around should help that.
Here is a look at the overall production of last year’s athletes who would have already been gone if it weren’t for the extra year.
Participation
The seven fifth-year athletes combined for 60 starts. Dykes, Russell and defensive lineman John Tate IV started in all 12 games. Defensive back Jacobi Francis, who appeared in all 12 games, logged 11 starts. Linebacker Thomas Pickens missed a couple of games with an injury and tallied eight starts in 10 games. Linebacker Keith Brown Jr. and defensive back Tyrez Lindsey both appeared in all 12 games with Lindsey logging five starts.
Tackles
The six defensive players combined to record 290 total tackles which are 30% of the team’s total tackles on the year. That’s a large chunk of production that decided to return. Russell led the team with 123 tackles.
Takeaways
The fifth-year seniors grabbed four of the Tigers’ nine interceptions and forced two fumbles. Francis had two interceptions which tied the Rodney Owens for the most on the team.
Receiving
Sean Dykes was the second leading receiver in receiving yards (657), receptions (48) and receiving touchdowns (7). Having him still on the roster was huge for an offense that struggled running the ball and had an injured Calvin Austin III toward the end.
Tackles for loss
The veterans totaled 20 of the Tigers’ 71.5 tackles for loss. Russell’s 6.5 tackles tied for the second-most on the team.
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Henigan is the sixth Tigers player to be named to the team, and fourth in the past five years.
Matt Barnes is confident in his three position coaches and relates to Ryan Silverfield’s “blue-collar mentality.”
Kenneth Gainwell scored one more touchdown in his final game of the season.
Marshall ranked No. 16 in total offense under Tim Cramsey this season.
University of Memphis running back Kylan Watkins, a former Whitehaven High standout, has one year of eligibility left.
Memphis Tigers beat writers Steven Johnson and Frank Bonner II are back for another episode of the Tigers podcast.
Jay Ducker was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,184 yards and three touchdowns.
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