Ken Irvin (2013) - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Memphis Athletics

Ken Irvin

Induction:
2013

A native of Lindale, Georgia, Ken Irvin arrived on the University of Memphis campus in the fall of 1991 and immediately became an integral part of head coach Chuck Stobart's Tigers defense. He appeared in nine games in 1991 and was one of just four true freshmen to play that season for Memphis.

As a sophomore cornerback, Irvin gained national attention for the Tigers when he set an NCAA and University of Memphis record for the most blocked kicks in a single game. Playing against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Irvin was credited with four blocked punts, breaking a national record that had stood for 50 years. For his play, he was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by three major publications, including Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. Irvin was credited with 62 tackles and three pass interceptions as a junior and began drawing the attention of professional football scouts.

His most outstanding in a Tigers uniform came during the 1993 campaign when he registered a career-high 14 tackles, three pass break-ups and a pass interception against the Miami Hurricanes in a game televised by ESPN. In his final season as a Tiger, Irvin totaled 45 tackles and two interceptions in helping Memphis to a third consecutive winning season.

Taken in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL Draft by Buffalo, Irvin spent seven seasons with the Bills before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2002. He completed his 11-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings.