Once A Tiger, Always A Tiger

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Dec 04, 2019 | Football

Memphis honored its 2019 seniors prior to their home finale Nov. 29.

NOTE: This Salute to Seniors feature first appeared in the Memphis GameDay program Nov. 29 when the Tigers hosted Cincinnati.

Nineteen seniors were honored for their hard work and dedication to the University of Memphis football program prior to the Nov. 29 Cincinnati game. This group – head coach Mike Norvell's first four-year seniors – will go down as one that carried on the winning tradition the Tigers have built in recent seasons which includes a string of six-consecutive bowl invitations.

The seniors leave Memphis as one of the winningest four-year classes in program history with 37 victories. The senior class has helped lead the Tigers to four-straight bowl berths, three-consecutive American Athletic Conference West Division crowns and three-straight appearances in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

The seniors now recall their time at Memphis:

Keith Brigham, Defensive Lineman
"I had a lot of special moments. One was off the field when Joey Magnifico, Calvin Austin and a few others went to Le Bonheur, where we hosted a game show. It was fun to see the kids smile. After football, I plan on working somewhere in sports management. I've already graduated with a degree in sports management, and I'm getting my master's in sports commerce. I'm hoping to potentially work in the sports industry."

Joey Bryant, Defensive Back
"Coming here helped me grow a lot as a player. I've been put in a position to help these young guys mature and I've embraced that. My best memory is the coaches calling me saying that I could come to Memphis. Also, the game versus SMU. The fans were incredible with ESPN GameDay. I want to pursue a chance at playing in the NFL, CFL, XFL, whatever. If not, I plan on working for my wife's father's company, which is a trust company called G2 National."

Austin Chapman, Punter
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to get to know all of the people here, especially the special teams guys. I know I'll have them as friends forever.The special moment is just being here. I'm very grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of this program because I know what it means to the city. My special moment would be the SMU game, seeing how the city came together as one collective group. After football, I'm going to stay at Memphis and get my master's degree. Just trying to build more toward the business side of sports."

Chris Claybrooks, Defensive Back
"It's been great. When I came in, everyone showed me love. These guys are my brothers, and it's a dream come true. Memphis will be in my family forever. I love Memphis. My favorite memory would have to be the pick-six in the bowl game last year. My plans (after Memphis) are to go to the NFL, but after that, I want to coach my son and be a great father to my son."

Colton Cochran, Defensive Back
"Growing up in the city, I've always been a Memphis Tigers fan, always wanted to play for the Tigers. Seeing where we are and where we could be, it's been amazing. My best memory is ESPN GameDay, seeing how the city came out and having the Liberty Bowl packed. It was awesome to see that. I'm still trying to figure out what's after football. I may get into some coaching, but I'm still trying to figure it out."

Scottie Dill, Offensive Lineman
"It's means a lot (playing at Memphis), especially because my dad played here and is in the Hall of Fame. It means a lot more playing for your hometown. My special moment was College GameDay against SMU. It was wild. It was the craziest, most intense game with all of the fans. When I leave football, I want to either start a business or go into piloting. I would also like to create my own charity."

Antonio Gibson, Wide Receiver
"I've loved being a part of a family, a brotherhood for sure. These are people I'm still going to be talking to 20 years from now. My best memory would have to be the SMU game. The packed stadium, that was a dream come true. The game that I had was a blessing. After Memphis, I want to try to get to the NFL, but if that's not what God has planned for me, then I want to give back to the kids and the community. I want to be a mentor."

Austin Hall, Linebacker
"I got to go to college and enjoy playing college football. I'm blessed to get to do that. I grew up around here, so that makes it even more special. My favorite memory was the College GameDay experience. Our fan base loved it, and they brought that energy to the stadium. Another big game was when we beat Navy for the first time. I had a couple of picks in the game. After Memphis, I'll train and hopefully get to the NFL. Whenever that's done, I want to work in law enforcement, U.S. Marshals or FBI."

Desmond Hawkins, Defensive Lineman
"My time at Memphis has been a journey. I have learned good things that'll help me off the field. What I will remember at Memphis is when College GameDay came. It was my first time experiencing something like that, and it was amazing. I liked the vibe of the fans, the whole city getting together. After football, I want to find a career in something I'm passionate about. I feel like I can do anything because I went to the University of Memphis."

Bryce Huff, Defensive Lineman
"A few things that stick out to me would be going to bowl games. Also working out with my teammates, especially during the off-season and seeing my growth as a player. The program was already getting better when I got here. Since I've been here with Coach Norvell, the people and players he's brought in, we've all made the program a little bit better. After graduation, I'm trying for the NFL first, but I have an entrepreneurial mindset, so I want to work on business ventures. I want to get involved with climate change. That's something I'm looking forward to doing."

Kedarian Jones, Wide Receiver
"Memphis is definitely a one-of-a-kind place, having the opportunity to come play college ball and get an education. It's truly a blessing, and I don't know where I'd be without it. It's hard to just pin-point one special memory, so I'm going to say that every day has been memorable. After football, I plan on using my interdisciplinary studies degree. I want to go back to school and get my master's in psychology to become a clinical psychologist or a coach/counselor – anything that will allow for me to impact people, especially kids."

Peyton Jones, Offensive Lineman
"I'm from Memphis, so it's been a privilege to wear the jersey that I grew up watching. To honor the city in this way and to represent nationally what we're about has been great. The friendships that I have made are my best memories. They are going to last a lifetime. I cannot imagine now not knowing some of the people that I've become friends with over the years. My plan is to go into banking and stay in Memphis."

Ladarius Jordan, Defensive Back
"I'm from Memphis, so I grew up watching the Tigers. My dad played here. Being a part of this team is a dream come true, and I will always be a Tiger. I have had so many great moments being in the locker room with the team. We're always just cutting up with each other, laughing, playing around. After I graduate, I plan on coaching with my father. He's a coach here in the city. I want to coach my little brother."

Jeremiah Maclin, Defensive Lineman
"I'm a hometown kid so it was always a dream to play here. My favorite moments are being in the meeting room with the guys. I played on the defensive line, and everyone knows we have the most characters. We have a great time laughing. As far as my plans after Memphis, I've been dipping my hand in various things. I've been doing some event planning. I've also been working on a clothing line."

Joey Magnifico, Tight End
"It's been great. To come here and watch the program change to what it is today has been incredible. One of my favorite moments has to be when we won our West Division titles at home, and then going to championship games. After Memphis, I'm definitely going to give the NFL a shot. I haven't really thought too far ahead, but I would give thought to becoming a graduate assistant somewhere."

Traveon Samuel, Wide Receiver
"This has been a big opportunity for me, being a senior and a graduate transfer, to come and try and help the program. My favorite memory is just being around the guys, building that bond with my teammates and having fun my senior year. After football is over, I probably want to be a graduate assistant somewhere. I would love to coach football."

Patrick Taylor Jr., Running Back
"It means a lot to me to wear the Blue and Gray. I love the family feeling here. I'm pushed here every day to be the best that I can be. The most memorable moments are every time we beat Houston. I didn't hold an offer from Houston, so I made sure that when I was coming here that we would never lose to Houston. We didn't. I want to get into coaching (after football). I want to be able to affect younger kids' lives and help them mature into fine young men like my coaches have done for me."

Jonathan Wilson, Defensive Lineman
"My time at Memphis has been fun. I never thought I would move outside of Louisiana. It's been a good experience being away from home, meeting new people. My favorite memory is probably beating my brother two years in a row. He went to Tulane. It's something to brag about. Hopefully, I'll get to the NFL, but if not, I want to be a personal trainer, open a gym. I also want to open a restaurant because I love to cook."

Dustin Woodard, Offensive Lineman
"My time at Memphis has been great. I've been appreciated in the city more and more every year. Wearing the jersey makes me very proud, and I want to put it on for our city who supports us. My favorite moment was College GameDay. I've never experienced anything like that. After football is over, I want to be a businessman and open a business one day. I want to go back to Arizona."