MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's been a massive offseason for the Memphis Tigers. Renovations started on Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, FedEx signed a $25 million landmark NIL deal with the university and head coach Ryan Silverfield grabbed a hefty contract extension.
But now all attention turns to the season ahead and what the Tigers can do on the field.
The Tigers are picked to finish first in the AAC. If they live up to those standards, they very well could find themselves securing the Group of Five bid for the newly expanded 12-team college football playoffs.
"It's a good feeling to be looked at as the top team in the conference and that just means we'll have a target on our back, and we're excited for the challenge," Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan said.
"I don't hide it from anyone, we talked about college football playoffs," Silverfield said. "I talked about it more than probably any coach in the country in recruiting. I talked about the AAC championship more than any other coach in our conference, but now that doesn't mean a thing."
The Tigers are coming off their first 10-win season during Silverfield's tenure, but he's not ready to rest on the success of last year of the Tigers' wealth of returners.
"I've got to put the foot on the gas and continue to push," Silverfield said. "I told our guys I'm going to strain them harder than I've ever strained them these first two weeks of training camp."
That goes for everyone, including Henigan, who already is the program's all-time leading passer and entering his fourth year as the starting QB.
Henigan threw for 3,880 yards and 32 touchdowns last season and picked up another 274 yards and 5 scores on the ground. All of it helped rank the Tiger offense as one of the top 15 in the nation.
"Seth has to be significantly better this year, because we have more challenges than we've ever had," Silverfield said.
Henigan, just like he does every year, has changed his number. This time to number nine, the same number he wore his senior year of high school when he led his team to a State Title. With number nine on his back, Henigan is hoping to lead the Tigers to the AAC Title.
"This is it — it's a make it or break it season for me and my career," Henigan said. "I look at my future and my five year plan and it all comes down to the next three months. If I make my dreams happen or if I play horrible. It's all in my own hands. I know the expectations, and I'm excited to live up to the expectations."
Memphis kicks off the potentially program shifting season on Saturday, Aug. 31, when they host North Alabama.