University of Memphis Athletics
Four Tigers Named to Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1000
Jul 24, 2026 | Football
TAMPA, Fla. – Four University of Memphis football student-athletes were named to the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000 Watchlist, the organization announced Friday.
Defensive back Ian Foster, linebacker Mike Montgomery, defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp and tight end Hunter Tipton were named to the organization's watchlist.
The Shriners Children's 1000 is designed to highlight players' achievements as well as their future NFL potential. The list builds the foundation and starting point for deciding who will participate in the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl. Prospects from all four levels of college football are included on this year's watchlist.
Foster, who has played under head coach Charles Huff at both Marshall and Southern Miss, enters the season as a Preseason American Conference First Team selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, also being named to the latter's third team as a kick returner. Foster was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection as a returner at Marshall in 2024, leading the FBS with an average return yardage of 32.4 and the most kickoff returns of 40-plus (5) and 50-plus (3) yards.
Montgomery was also a Preseason American First Team honoree by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele after finishing last season on the All-Sun Belt Third Team at Southern Miss. He finished 26th in the FBS with 8.8 tackles per game and logged three sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position.
Tapp has been a piece of what is expected to be a dominant trio under Huff with Foster and Montgomery, as he was similarly named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele earlier this summer. Tapp also garnered recognition as the only player on ESPN's Adam Rittenberg's list of the top 15 non-quarterback playmakers to play in a non-power conference.
Tipton, a transfer who spent last at Middle Tennessee, was named to the Preseason American Conference Second Team by Athlon Sports recording 39 catches for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a Blue Raider in 2025.
The 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. and will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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.
Defensive back Ian Foster, linebacker Mike Montgomery, defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp and tight end Hunter Tipton were named to the organization's watchlist.
The Shriners Children's 1000 is designed to highlight players' achievements as well as their future NFL potential. The list builds the foundation and starting point for deciding who will participate in the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl. Prospects from all four levels of college football are included on this year's watchlist.
Foster, who has played under head coach Charles Huff at both Marshall and Southern Miss, enters the season as a Preseason American Conference First Team selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, also being named to the latter's third team as a kick returner. Foster was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection as a returner at Marshall in 2024, leading the FBS with an average return yardage of 32.4 and the most kickoff returns of 40-plus (5) and 50-plus (3) yards.
Montgomery was also a Preseason American First Team honoree by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele after finishing last season on the All-Sun Belt Third Team at Southern Miss. He finished 26th in the FBS with 8.8 tackles per game and logged three sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position.
Tapp has been a piece of what is expected to be a dominant trio under Huff with Foster and Montgomery, as he was similarly named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele earlier this summer. Tapp also garnered recognition as the only player on ESPN's Adam Rittenberg's list of the top 15 non-quarterback playmakers to play in a non-power conference.
Tipton, a transfer who spent last at Middle Tennessee, was named to the Preseason American Conference Second Team by Athlon Sports recording 39 catches for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a Blue Raider in 2025.
The 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. and will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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
Wednesday, June 17
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18