University of Memphis Athletics
11 Tigers Named to 12 Spots on Athlon Sports Preseason American Conference Teams
Jul 01, 2026 | Football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A total of 11 University of Memphis football players garnered recognition on Athlon Sports' Preseason American Conference teams, announced today by the publication.
Memphis' 12 selections were tied with UTSA and Temple for the second-most in the conference, only trailing Navy's 13 selections.
A trio of Tiger defenders were named to the first team in defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp, linebacker Mike Montgomery and safety Ian Foster. All three of the Southern Miss transfers were also selected to the Phil Steele Preseason American Conference First Team. Foster also found himself on the third team, highlighting his versatile skillset and earning the nod as a kick returner.
Tight end Hunter Tipton and safety Ahmere Foster found themselves on the second team. Tipton, a Middle Tennessee transfer, hauled in 39 passes for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. Foster, who will play alongside his brothers Ian and Khalil this season after joining from Southern Miss, recorded three interceptions and 47 tackles last season for head coach Charles Huff's Golden Eagles.
The third team featured a pair of offensive players and a pair of defensive players, in addition to Ian Foster being named the third-team kick returner. Wide receiver Tychaun Chapman and offensive lineman Maarten Woudsma represent the Tiger offense, as Chapman caught 24 passes for 444 yards and three rushing touchdowns last season at Southern Miss and Woudsma helped the Old Dominion Monarchs finish within the top 10 nationally in rushing offense and top 20 in the FBS in total offense. Woudsma was also previously named to the Phil Steele Preseason American Conference fourth team.
Defensive lineman Jaden McKinney and cornerback Chauncey Logan Jr. were Memphis' defensive players on the third team. McKinney, another Southern Miss transfer, was named to the American Conference Preseason First Team by Phil Steele last month and Logan Jr. is one of the few returning starters from a year ago, logging 13 tackles and an interception in just five games played after suffering an injury.
The fourth team featured wide receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. and safety Dylan Smith. Timmons Jr., a transfer from Colorado, looks to have an increased role with the Tigers after logging three catches for 58 yards in four games with the Buffaloes last season. Smith, a former Oklahoma State Cowboy, logged 75 tackles over three seasons in Stillwater, also forcing a fumble and picking off a pair of passes.
Head coach Charles Huff's first season in Memphis is set to be an exciting one with eight of Memphis' 11 FBS opponents earning bowl berths in 2025.
The Tigers will have a six-game home slate at the new-look Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, hosting Arkansas State (Sept. 5) and UT Martin (Sept. 19) in the nonconference slate before American Conference contests against UAB (Oct. 10) in the "Battle for the Bones", East Carolina (Oct. 22), Army (Oct. 31) and Temple (Nov. 27).
Memphis also has a stout road slate against the two top Mountain West programs in UNLV (Aug. 29) and Boise State (Sept. 12), along with conference matchups at Charlotte (Oct. 3), Tulane (Oct. 16), South Florida (Nov. 12) and Navy (Nov. 21), with the Green Wave, Bulls and Midshipmen all finishing in the top five in the American in 2025.
Season Tickets Available Now
Fans can purchase new season tickets by visiting HERE.
Current season ticket members can renew their seats by logging into their account HERE.
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign start at just $99, a $50 reduction from last season, providing fans one of the most affordable ways to experience Memphis football while returning to a transformed Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
A new feature for the 2026 campaign is the addition of the West Side Plaza. All fans with seats in the west side chairbacks (Sections 131, 132, 101-109) will have access to this new area. The full pricing map can be viewed HERE.
Stadium Seating Update
As part of the ongoing modernization of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis Athletics has also introduced an updated section and row numbering system for 2026. While section and row identifiers have been adjusted to improve wayfinding throughout the stadium, season ticket members will keep the same seats - only how they are labeled has changed. Updated seating maps and renewal information will be provided directly to ticket holders.
Example of the New Numbering
Under the updated system, seats will reflect the new level-based layout:
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Memphis' 12 selections were tied with UTSA and Temple for the second-most in the conference, only trailing Navy's 13 selections.
A trio of Tiger defenders were named to the first team in defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp, linebacker Mike Montgomery and safety Ian Foster. All three of the Southern Miss transfers were also selected to the Phil Steele Preseason American Conference First Team. Foster also found himself on the third team, highlighting his versatile skillset and earning the nod as a kick returner.
Tight end Hunter Tipton and safety Ahmere Foster found themselves on the second team. Tipton, a Middle Tennessee transfer, hauled in 39 passes for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. Foster, who will play alongside his brothers Ian and Khalil this season after joining from Southern Miss, recorded three interceptions and 47 tackles last season for head coach Charles Huff's Golden Eagles.
The third team featured a pair of offensive players and a pair of defensive players, in addition to Ian Foster being named the third-team kick returner. Wide receiver Tychaun Chapman and offensive lineman Maarten Woudsma represent the Tiger offense, as Chapman caught 24 passes for 444 yards and three rushing touchdowns last season at Southern Miss and Woudsma helped the Old Dominion Monarchs finish within the top 10 nationally in rushing offense and top 20 in the FBS in total offense. Woudsma was also previously named to the Phil Steele Preseason American Conference fourth team.
Defensive lineman Jaden McKinney and cornerback Chauncey Logan Jr. were Memphis' defensive players on the third team. McKinney, another Southern Miss transfer, was named to the American Conference Preseason First Team by Phil Steele last month and Logan Jr. is one of the few returning starters from a year ago, logging 13 tackles and an interception in just five games played after suffering an injury.
The fourth team featured wide receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. and safety Dylan Smith. Timmons Jr., a transfer from Colorado, looks to have an increased role with the Tigers after logging three catches for 58 yards in four games with the Buffaloes last season. Smith, a former Oklahoma State Cowboy, logged 75 tackles over three seasons in Stillwater, also forcing a fumble and picking off a pair of passes.
Head coach Charles Huff's first season in Memphis is set to be an exciting one with eight of Memphis' 11 FBS opponents earning bowl berths in 2025.
The Tigers will have a six-game home slate at the new-look Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, hosting Arkansas State (Sept. 5) and UT Martin (Sept. 19) in the nonconference slate before American Conference contests against UAB (Oct. 10) in the "Battle for the Bones", East Carolina (Oct. 22), Army (Oct. 31) and Temple (Nov. 27).
Memphis also has a stout road slate against the two top Mountain West programs in UNLV (Aug. 29) and Boise State (Sept. 12), along with conference matchups at Charlotte (Oct. 3), Tulane (Oct. 16), South Florida (Nov. 12) and Navy (Nov. 21), with the Green Wave, Bulls and Midshipmen all finishing in the top five in the American in 2025.
Season Tickets Available Now
Fans can purchase new season tickets by visiting HERE.
Current season ticket members can renew their seats by logging into their account HERE.
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign start at just $99, a $50 reduction from last season, providing fans one of the most affordable ways to experience Memphis football while returning to a transformed Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
A new feature for the 2026 campaign is the addition of the West Side Plaza. All fans with seats in the west side chairbacks (Sections 131, 132, 101-109) will have access to this new area. The full pricing map can be viewed HERE.
Stadium Seating Update
As part of the ongoing modernization of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis Athletics has also introduced an updated section and row numbering system for 2026. While section and row identifiers have been adjusted to improve wayfinding throughout the stadium, season ticket members will keep the same seats - only how they are labeled has changed. Updated seating maps and renewal information will be provided directly to ticket holders.
Example of the New Numbering
Under the updated system, seats will reflect the new level-based layout:
- Previously Section 120, Row 40 is now Section 220, Row 12
- Previously Section 101, Row 8 is now Section 101, Row 1
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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