Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield was in a very upbeat mood following practice Wednesday and offered some updates on a few position battles.

Most coaches around the country are likely in a similar mood as Silverfield this close to the season. 

The Tigers are 10 days away from playing host to Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2 for the season opener, and an official depth chart is expected to be announced next week. Here is what we already know about some of the position battles, based on what Silverfield said Wednesday:

Anthony Landphere is starting TE

Silverfield was quick to name the starting tight end ahead of last season after former Tiger Sean Dykes exhausted his eligibility. Although it took a little longer to name Caden Prieskorn’s replacement heading into this year, it’s not a surprise to see second-year Tiger Anthony Landphere get the nod.

“If I had to lay it out, I’d say Anthony Landphere is our starting tight end,” Silverfield said. “I feel comfortable with him being a three-down tight end. He’s also going to play a lot of special teams for us.”

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Landphere transferred from College of San Mateo last season. He appeared in all 13 games but didn’t record any stats with Prieskorn being a top target for the Tigers before transferring to Ole Miss.

Landphere will step into that pass-catcher role while the No. 2 tight end is expected to receive a similar number of snaps that Landphere saw last season. Silverfield named Hutchinson Community College transfer Jamauri Chislom and Brendon Doyle as candidates behind Landphere.

Pounders at left tackle

The Tigers are looking to replace both tackle positions after losing Austin Myers and Matt Dale from last year.

Makylan Pounders, who started at left tackle in the season opener as a redshirt freshman last year, has solidified himself as a starter ahead of this season. Pounders got hurt in the first game against Mississippi State and never regained his starting spot back.

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“We’re hoping he can be the left tackle,” Silverfield said. “He’s a young man from Byhalia that has a tremendous upside that we have high expectations for as well. And then (for) the other tackle spot, there is still a lot of battles and a lot of competition.”

The depth chart on the right side of the offensive line isn’t as cut and dry. Silverfield named Xavier Hill, Terrance McClain, Cullen Montgomery and Marcus Henderson as possible options at right tackle.

Three frontrunners at RB

Silverfield didn’t name a starting running back. Instead, he downplayed the significance a little by stating the No. 1 running back could only play about five more snaps than the No. 2 guy by the end of a game.

Sutton Smith, an athlete whom Silverfield has been raving about since his freshman year last season, was the first name mentioned Wednesday in reference to the running backs.

“We’ve got a lot of expectations for Sutton. We expect to see him all over the field, and he can do a lot of things for us — a very, very explosive young man that will be a major part of this offense.”

Ryan Silverfield
Memphis Tigers football head coach

“We’ve got a lot of expectations for Sutton,” Silverfield said. “We expect to see him all over the field, and he can do a lot of things for us — a very, very explosive young man that will be a major part of this offense.”

Silverfield went on to talk about Old Dominion transfer Blake Watson before mentioning last year’s leading rusher, Jevyon Ducker. Brandon Thomas was also referenced.

Thomas looked promising to start the season two years ago and led the team with nine rushing touchdowns last year. But it appears he might be the fourth option on the depth chart this season.

“The first three names are the ones you can expect to see on the field quite a bit in a variety of roles,” Silverfield said.