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What is the real Memphis secondary?
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- What is the real Memphis secondary?
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Through two games, one of the biggest questions for Memphis football has been the secondary. On one side, opposing offenses are averaging 308 yards through the air through two games, but on the other side, the Tigers recorded four interceptions against Arkansas State .
Memphis secondary garnered a lot of attention during the offseason with some of the additions from the transfer portal. Charles Huff and his staff brought over several players from Southern Miss and added a few defensive backs from the Power Four and top FCS programs.
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Ian Foster was a big name after recording 76 tackles, seven pass deflections and three interceptions last year in Hattiesburg. Dylan Smith was brought in from Oklahoma State, and he's already made an impact for the Tigers, recording two interceptions against the Red Wolves .
Memphis also went out and brought in players who had success at the FCS level. Senior Ellis Ellis Jr. and redshirt sophomore Darius Malcolm Jr. both look like they be effective for the Tigers this year.
There was also a lot of excitement around the secondary after the success the Golden Eagles had in the interception department a year ago. Last season, Huff's team led college football in interceptions, and he said during his introductory press conference that he wanted to bring that same defensive identity to the Tigers.
"We just left a university where we led the country in interceptions," Huff said during his introductory press conference. "We're going to play 4-2-5 vision coverage on the quarterback. Five guys looking at the quarterback, somebody should catch it."
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In 2025, Huff's team allowed only 229.3 yards per game through the air, which ranked No. 86 in the country last season. It was two yards more than what the Tigers allowed last year.
After Saturday's win over Arkansas State, Huff talked about the defense and how he would much rather have takeaways than pass breakups.
"We don't have DBs," Huff said. "We have wide receivers that play backwards, so you should be able to catch the ball. Nobody wants a PBU (Pass breakup). It does nothing for us because now it's second and 10 or it's third and five. Take the ball away and get us off the field, and tonight we did a better job of that."
While he talked about the the success in the takeaway department, Huff talked about the issues in zone coverage after allowing Arkansas State's quarterback Trey Owens to throw for 325 yards.
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"We've got to do a better job covering some guys in our zone coverage a little bit," Huff said. "We need to do a better job with our eyes in man out of the backfield a couple of times. But, overall, we were able to get our hands on the ball, which to me is a sign of an elite defense when you can take the ball away."
The secondary seemed a little feast of famine against the Red Wolves, and they won't be able to rely on four interceptions in every game. The defensive backs must do a better job in coverage to keep the opposing team's passing attack in check.
This weekend will be a good challenge. Boise State 's Maddux Madsen has thrown for 6,767 yards, 53 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in five seasons with the Broncos , and he will challenge the Tigers secondary.
Despite some of the concerns, it's been a promising start for the Tigers' defense. They lead the country in interceptions through two games, and if they can correct some issues in pass coverage, they will be one of the best defensive backs groups in the conference.
