University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: UofM Athletic Media Relations
2019 Tiger Football Camp: Practice 1
Aug 02, 2019 | Football
VIDEOS: Coach Norvell Post-Practice | Practice Highlights
MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- The University of Memphis football team stepped on the field Friday afternoon for the first practice of the 2019 season. Working in helmets and shorts per the NCAA's acclimation period, the Tigers worked for 23 periods, drawing praise from Head Coach Mike Norvell.
"We talked to our players yesterday about what we wanted for our identity," Norvell said. "Being passionate, being relentless with effort, focusing on details, communicating, we're about embracing the challenge. Today we wanted to get one percent better.
I will say that this is one of the best first days of practice that I've been around. Still a lot of mistakes, a lot of new guys, but I can see the work our guys put in over the summer. I like the size of our football team, the speed of it. But we're out here in our pajamas today, so it doesn't really count other than the communication, the alignment, getting some of those base fundamental things down. I liked the work we got in today."
Norvell also announced in his post-practice media scrum that the NCAA has cleared senior wide receiver/running back Traveon Samuel to play this fall. Samuel spent 2015-17 on the team at Louisville, appearing in 38 games with starts at wide receiver and kick returner. He recorded 1,618 all-purpose yards in his time at Louisville and became the first Cardinal freshman to return a kick for a touchdown since 2006. He then spent one season at Troy, appearing in one game. He is pursuing his master's degree in liberal studies at Memphis.
The Friday practice also marked the debut of offensive lineman Brian Thomas with Memphis. Thomas, a 6-4 offensive lineman from Hutchinson CC signed with Memphis in December after playing two seasons at Hutchinson.
The team will spend a second day in acclimation practice (helmets/shorts) on Saturday, before donning shells on Sunday. The team's first day in full pads will be Wednesday.
The first Memphis practice open to the public will be on Saturday, August 10 at the team's annual Fan Fest. This year's Fan Fest will be held at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium from 4:00-6:00 pm.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- The University of Memphis football team stepped on the field Friday afternoon for the first practice of the 2019 season. Working in helmets and shorts per the NCAA's acclimation period, the Tigers worked for 23 periods, drawing praise from Head Coach Mike Norvell.
"We talked to our players yesterday about what we wanted for our identity," Norvell said. "Being passionate, being relentless with effort, focusing on details, communicating, we're about embracing the challenge. Today we wanted to get one percent better.
I will say that this is one of the best first days of practice that I've been around. Still a lot of mistakes, a lot of new guys, but I can see the work our guys put in over the summer. I like the size of our football team, the speed of it. But we're out here in our pajamas today, so it doesn't really count other than the communication, the alignment, getting some of those base fundamental things down. I liked the work we got in today."
Norvell also announced in his post-practice media scrum that the NCAA has cleared senior wide receiver/running back Traveon Samuel to play this fall. Samuel spent 2015-17 on the team at Louisville, appearing in 38 games with starts at wide receiver and kick returner. He recorded 1,618 all-purpose yards in his time at Louisville and became the first Cardinal freshman to return a kick for a touchdown since 2006. He then spent one season at Troy, appearing in one game. He is pursuing his master's degree in liberal studies at Memphis.
The Friday practice also marked the debut of offensive lineman Brian Thomas with Memphis. Thomas, a 6-4 offensive lineman from Hutchinson CC signed with Memphis in December after playing two seasons at Hutchinson.
The team will spend a second day in acclimation practice (helmets/shorts) on Saturday, before donning shells on Sunday. The team's first day in full pads will be Wednesday.
The first Memphis practice open to the public will be on Saturday, August 10 at the team's annual Fan Fest. This year's Fan Fest will be held at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Players Mentioned
WR/RB
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