University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers, Always And Forever
Dec 01, 2018 | Football
Senior class recalls best memories at Memphis, reveals future plans.
Note: This feature first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Nov. 23 when Memphis hosted Houston.
Today, 13 seniors will be honored for their hard work and dedication to the University of Memphis football program. This group will go down as one that carried on the winning tradition the Tigers have built in recent seasons.
The seniors leave Memphis as one of the winningest four-year classes in program history with 34 victories. The senior class helped lead the Tigers to four-straight bowl appearances, the program's first conference division title and its first appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship game.
The seniors now reminisce about their time at Memphis:
Curtis Akins, Linebacker
"My time at Memphis has been a ride with some ups and downs. The thing I liked the most was that coming out of high school I felt like I was a boy, and now I feel like I'm leaving Memphis as a man. My special moment in my time at Memphis was about a month and a half ago when my son was born. After graduation, I'd love to play in the NFL. After that, I'll probably join the military."
Noah Arrindell, Defensive Back
"I'm originally from Memphis and transferred back to Memphis in the fall of 2017. It's been a great experience being a part of the program since it's a part of my hometown. Coming in as a walk-on and making the team was a big moment for me. I plan to attend graduate school for counseling and psychology with a clinical mental health focus. I want to open up my own practice one day."
Ross Anderson, Defensive Back
"I am originally from Memphis and transferred in from a Division III school. It's been fun. Waking up at 6 a.m., the conditioning, the meetings. Special moments for me have been the meetings and the uniform reveals. After football, I'm going to graduate school for sport commerce and become a sports agent, so that I can work with the athletes or try to become a coach."
Tim Belles, Long Snapper
"It's been a blessing to be a part of the Tigers. While here, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. Being able to study civil engineering in the city I love while being a part of the football team is the best experience in my life. After graduation, I will be working as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch, Memphis District."
Emmanuel Cooper, Defensive Lineman
"It's been a journey. I thought I'd come in and be one of the best, but it was a humbling first summer. Since then, I just remember that experience and do my best. The best moment that I had was playing against UCLA in the Liberty Bowl. After football, I already have a job lined up. I'll be working at McKesson in a factory position, but I'm starting to look more into sales."
Sam Craft, Wide ReceiverÂ
"It's been a long experience, and I have loved every minute of being at Memphis. I got everything I wanted out of the school. I was able to play both basketball and football, as it was a dream of mine. One of my favorite memories was winning the Miami Beach Bowl. After football, I want to go into college coaching or become a fireman."
Jackson Dillon, Linebacker
"My time at Memphis has been a great ride. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but it was the best decision I ever made. For me, winning the Miami Beach Bowl and beating Ole Miss were my favorite memories. My plan after football is to start ranching cattle or, depending on how my body feels, play at the next level."
Hayden Ferrari, Linebacker
"I knew that I wanted to stay in Memphis out of high school and follow my father's footsteps as a Tiger. My special moments are the times representing the city of Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. I'd really like to get in to either real estate investing or agricultural sales after football."
Roger Joseph, Offensive Lineman
"My time at Memphis has been short. It's been pretty good, though. I met some new people and made some new relationships. My special moments are every time we get out on the field and win a game. After football is done, I plan on going into the music business."
Drew Kyser, Offensive Lineman
"It's been fun. I've made some good connections, and this is a brotherhood that I know will last a lifetime. It's been a blast; every year has been fun. My special memory is beating Ole Miss my freshman year! After football is over – whenever that may be – I plan on becoming a fireman."
Brandon Murphy, Defensive Lineman
"This year at Memphis has been a learning experience. This is my first year playing football, so a lot of it is still new to me. I've been playing on the defensive line and the offensive line for the scout team. After this year, I may still give football a shot and come back to Pro Day. I'm also interested in producing and directing."
Trevon Tate, Offensive Lineman
"My special moment at Memphis was meeting my girlfriend. After football at Memphis, I plan on going to the NFL. If the NFL doesn't work out, I'm going back to Houston and work with my dad. He's the head of a welding business, so I can start at a management position."
Tito Windham, Defensive Back
"My time at Memphis has been an experience. There have been some ups and downs, but it was a blessing just to get here and have this opportunity. My special moments are every day when I come into the locker room with my teammates. I plan to go pro, but, if that doesn't work out, I'll go into business."
Today, 13 seniors will be honored for their hard work and dedication to the University of Memphis football program. This group will go down as one that carried on the winning tradition the Tigers have built in recent seasons.
The seniors leave Memphis as one of the winningest four-year classes in program history with 34 victories. The senior class helped lead the Tigers to four-straight bowl appearances, the program's first conference division title and its first appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship game.
The seniors now reminisce about their time at Memphis:
Curtis Akins, Linebacker
"My time at Memphis has been a ride with some ups and downs. The thing I liked the most was that coming out of high school I felt like I was a boy, and now I feel like I'm leaving Memphis as a man. My special moment in my time at Memphis was about a month and a half ago when my son was born. After graduation, I'd love to play in the NFL. After that, I'll probably join the military."
Noah Arrindell, Defensive Back
"I'm originally from Memphis and transferred back to Memphis in the fall of 2017. It's been a great experience being a part of the program since it's a part of my hometown. Coming in as a walk-on and making the team was a big moment for me. I plan to attend graduate school for counseling and psychology with a clinical mental health focus. I want to open up my own practice one day."
Ross Anderson, Defensive Back
"I am originally from Memphis and transferred in from a Division III school. It's been fun. Waking up at 6 a.m., the conditioning, the meetings. Special moments for me have been the meetings and the uniform reveals. After football, I'm going to graduate school for sport commerce and become a sports agent, so that I can work with the athletes or try to become a coach."
Tim Belles, Long Snapper
"It's been a blessing to be a part of the Tigers. While here, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. Being able to study civil engineering in the city I love while being a part of the football team is the best experience in my life. After graduation, I will be working as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch, Memphis District."
Emmanuel Cooper, Defensive Lineman
"It's been a journey. I thought I'd come in and be one of the best, but it was a humbling first summer. Since then, I just remember that experience and do my best. The best moment that I had was playing against UCLA in the Liberty Bowl. After football, I already have a job lined up. I'll be working at McKesson in a factory position, but I'm starting to look more into sales."
Sam Craft, Wide ReceiverÂ
"It's been a long experience, and I have loved every minute of being at Memphis. I got everything I wanted out of the school. I was able to play both basketball and football, as it was a dream of mine. One of my favorite memories was winning the Miami Beach Bowl. After football, I want to go into college coaching or become a fireman."
Jackson Dillon, Linebacker
"My time at Memphis has been a great ride. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but it was the best decision I ever made. For me, winning the Miami Beach Bowl and beating Ole Miss were my favorite memories. My plan after football is to start ranching cattle or, depending on how my body feels, play at the next level."
Hayden Ferrari, Linebacker
"I knew that I wanted to stay in Memphis out of high school and follow my father's footsteps as a Tiger. My special moments are the times representing the city of Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. I'd really like to get in to either real estate investing or agricultural sales after football."
Roger Joseph, Offensive Lineman
"My time at Memphis has been short. It's been pretty good, though. I met some new people and made some new relationships. My special moments are every time we get out on the field and win a game. After football is done, I plan on going into the music business."
Drew Kyser, Offensive Lineman
"It's been fun. I've made some good connections, and this is a brotherhood that I know will last a lifetime. It's been a blast; every year has been fun. My special memory is beating Ole Miss my freshman year! After football is over – whenever that may be – I plan on becoming a fireman."
Brandon Murphy, Defensive Lineman
"This year at Memphis has been a learning experience. This is my first year playing football, so a lot of it is still new to me. I've been playing on the defensive line and the offensive line for the scout team. After this year, I may still give football a shot and come back to Pro Day. I'm also interested in producing and directing."
Trevon Tate, Offensive Lineman
"My special moment at Memphis was meeting my girlfriend. After football at Memphis, I plan on going to the NFL. If the NFL doesn't work out, I'm going back to Houston and work with my dad. He's the head of a welding business, so I can start at a management position."
Tito Windham, Defensive Back
"My time at Memphis has been an experience. There have been some ups and downs, but it was a blessing just to get here and have this opportunity. My special moments are every day when I come into the locker room with my teammates. I plan to go pro, but, if that doesn't work out, I'll go into business."
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