Memphis Tigers 2010 C-USA Predictions & Odds: Larry Porter returns to Memphis to guide his alma mater in his first collegiate head coaching job. Porter, a stellar running back for the Tigers from 1990-93, still ranks in the Tiger Top 10 for running backs. Porter has been coaching running backs at LSU the last five years. Porter is known as one of college football's top recruiters too, named National Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com.
Porter will have a solid nucleus to build on as the 2010 squad returns 14 starters from last year, seven on offense and seven on defense.
In spite of 14 returning starters, oddsmakers at BetUS.com list the Tigers, at +8000 odds, huge longshots to win the C-USA conference crown in 2010.
The entire starting five for the offensive line return and will be battling for starting jobs this fall, including tackle Ronald Leary, guard Joel McCleod, center Brad Paul, guard Dominik Riley, and tackle Tommy Walker. Lionel Henderson and Michael Antonescu saw action in 2008, with Antonescu starting the final three games of the season at right guard when Riley was injured. Jamie McCoy played in six games as a true freshman working at both tackles and was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
The Tigers have had five scholarship quarterbacks competing for one starting job. At this time no starter has been announced but the job will probably be decided between Cannon Smith and new signee Ryan Williams.
The Tigers lost talented and productive running back Curtis Steele to graduation but have talent at that position to work with. Greg Ray saw action in four games last season, while Lance Smith, who transferred from Wisconsin, is Memphis’ top returning rusher with 149 yards and one touchdown on 46 carries in eight games in 2009.
The defensive line was a group that had considerable depth and talent in 2009, and though the unit lost four players that saw extensive action last season, the remaining talent should leave the line in good shape for the fall. Frank Trotter, Charlie Bryant and Dontari Poe each started over half of the games last season, and Poe was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
The linebacker corps returns several key players from last season, including senior Jamon Hughes, who led the Tiger defense with 87 tackles, and a forced fumble. The secondary struggled last season and will be a major focus in the fall. Marcus Ball and Bryan Wright led the squad in interceptions last year.
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