The Memphis Tigers enter the 2025 season opener against the Chattanooga Mocs with the weight of unfinished business. Coming off their first 11–win campaign since 2019, capped with a Frisco Bowl victory over West Virginia, the Tigers have momentum but also questions. Once again, they fell short of reaching the American Conference title game — a storyline that continues to shadow Ryan Silverfield’s tenure. With over 30 new players added through the transfer portal and a sixth–year senior quarterback in Brendon Lewis set to make his debut, all eyes will be on how quickly Memphis can find its rhythm.
Their opponent, Chattanooga, represents the type of FCS test that often reveals how ready a program is to roll into the grind of a full season. The Mocs finished 7–5 in 2024, narrowly missing the FCS playoffs, and underwent significant roster turnover with heavy reliance on the transfer portal.
Chattanooga’s Offensive Outlook
The Mocs face an uphill climb after losing their starting quarterback, top four receivers, top running back, and three key offensive linemen from last year. Quarterback remains unsettled, with junior Luke Schomburg and Bowling Green transfer Camden Orth competing for the job. Both bring game experience but struggled with consistency in prior stops.
The skill positions will feature new faces, including NC Central transfer Markell Quick, who earned All–MEAC honors with 527 yards and five touchdowns last season. He’ll be paired with Northern Colorado transfer Jamarii Robinson and returning tight end John McIntyre, a Phil Steele Freshman All-American. At running back, Ryan Ingram (675 yards at Wofford in 2024) provides a boost, while Justus Durant returns after posting five touchdowns on limited carries.
Up front, Chattanooga will rely on Western Illinois transfer Ryan Merklinger, who earned All-Conference recognition, alongside returning linemen Tyrell Ragland and Will Buchanan. This reshaped unit must gel quickly to protect a new quarterback and open lanes against Memphis’ revamped front seven.
Chattanooga’s Defensive Outlook
The Mocs’ defense returns just two of its top 13 tacklers from 2024. Linebacker Zion Rutledge (25 tackles) and cornerback Jeremiah Batiste (3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups) headline the returners, but much of the production will come from transfer additions.
Former four-star safety Khari Gee (Notre Dame, Georgia Tech) brings pedigree and talent if he can stay healthy. Eastern Illinois transfers Kaelin Drakeford and Nick Coates add immediate experience in the secondary, while Davidson transfer Kristian Ozane strengthens the linebacker corps. On the line, returning contributors like Marquise Freeman and Montrell Henderson will be asked to play bigger roles.
Still, the lack of continuity poses challenges, particularly against a Memphis offense that has the weapons to punish breakdowns in coverage or run fits.
Memphis’ Offensive Outlook
For Memphis, this game will be the debut of the Brendon Lewis era. The Nevada transfer is a dual–threat quarterback who has thrown for over 5,300 yards and added a dynamic rushing element throughout his career. While he may not match Seth Henigan’s polished passing production immediately, Lewis offers a fresh identity to an offense built to run first and open up play action.
The running back trio of Sutton Smith, Greg Desrosiers, and Frank Peasant could be the backbone of this team. Smith returns after missing nearly all of 2024 with injury, Desrosiers flashed late–season explosiveness, and Peasant brings experience from Middle Tennessee. With Lewis’ mobility added to the mix, Memphis should boast one of the most versatile ground attacks in the American.
At wide receiver, the Tigers are searching for a go-to option. Brady Kluse is an emerging name, while transfers Jadon Thompson and C.J. Smith, along with FCS standout Ger-Cari Caldwell, bring upside. Expect Silverfield to rotate several players early as the “grab bag” room sorts itself out.
More: How to Watch Memphis Football in 2025
Memphis’ Defensive Outlook
Defensively, the Tigers are relying heavily on transfers after losing nearly every starter from last year’s unit. Edge rusher William Whitlow Jr. returns as the lone starter from the 2024 Week 1 lineup, and his leadership will be crucial.
Linebackers Sam Brumfield and Everett Roussaw, both seasoned transfers, will anchor the middle, while Power Four transfers like Rayyan Buell (Colorado) and Marcus Burris Jr. (Indiana) bolster the defensive line. The secondary, reinforced by Florida State’s Omarion Cooper and James Madison’s Chauncey Logan Jr., has the potential to be more athletic and opportunistic than last year’s unit.
The opener against Chattanooga presents the perfect chance to build cohesion, but the defense must avoid slow starts and coverage breakdowns that plagued them in 2024.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Quarterback Play: How quickly can Brendon Lewis command the offense, particularly in the passing game?
- Running Back Rotation: Will Sutton Smith, Greg Desrosiers, or Frank Peasant emerge as the clear RB1, or will it remain a committee approach?
- Defensive Cohesion: With so many new faces, how quickly can Memphis’ defense communicate and close gaps against an offense searching for identity?
- Receiver Development: Which wideouts step up to become Lewis’ reliable targets in the passing game?
Prediction
This matchup is about Memphis setting the tone for the season. Chattanooga has added several quality transfers, but the Mocs’ heavy roster turnover and lack of continuity make this a steep challenge on the road. Memphis, meanwhile, has the depth and talent to wear down the Mocs on both sides of the ball.
Expect the Tigers to lean on their ground game early while giving Lewis opportunities to settle in with controlled passing concepts. Defensively, Memphis’ speed and size up front should overwhelm a rebuilding Chattanooga offensive line.
Final Score Prediction:
Memphis 41, Chattanooga 14
The Tigers roll in their opener, with fans getting a first glimpse of how Brendon Lewis and the new core of transfers can carry this team into what could be a pivotal 2025 campaign.
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