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Ryan Silverfield explains why Brendon Lewis won Memphis football quarterback competition
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- Ryan Silverfield explains why Brendon Lewis won Memphis football quarterback competition
Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield said Brendon Lewis — named starting quarterback this week — won the competition with his consistency throughout the offseason.
"It was a tremendous competition," Silverfield said Aug. 15 during an event at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. "Really, you look at the 15 spring practices including the scrimmage, and then roughly 11 practices in, so you're looking at a window of 26 practices. I think Brendon Lewis has played the most consistent. Has he been perfect? No, far from it. But he's done a lot of tremendous things."
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Lewis was in a three-way competition with true freshman A.J. Hill and redshirt freshman Arrington Maiden, but it had always been Lewis' spot to lose. He's started 35 college games going back to his time at Nevada and Colorado, while neither Hill nor Maiden has ever attempted a pass at the college level.
The Tigers brought Lewis to American Conference media days in July, and that suggested he was likely to win the starting role. He'll bring a different dynamic to the Memphis offense because of his running ability. Lewis rushed for 775 yards and threw for 2,290 last season at Nevada.
Silverfield also said he has not named a backup between Maiden and Hill.
"Credit to Arrington Maiden and A.J. Hill," he said. "They've done a tremendous job. We feel very comfortable with them. Are we going to name a 2 and a 3? No. But they'll both be prepared if their number is called this season."
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The Tigers kick off their 2025 season at home against Chattanooga on Aug. 30.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Brendon Lewis: Memphis football coach explains why transfer is QB1
