University of Memphis Athletics
Tapp and Ian Foster Named to Sports Info Solutions Preseason American Conference Team
Aug 07, 2026 | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A pair of Memphis football student-athletes on the defensive side of the ball were named to the Sports Info Solutions Preseason American Conference Team, the organization announced.
Defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp garnered recognition as a preseason all-conference defensive end and safety Ian Foster was listed as the defensive flex position honoree.
The Sports Info Solutions organization creates a preseason all-conference team across college sports, with honors based on a combination of scouting and statistical data analysis.
It marks the third preseason honor for Tapp after being named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He follows head coach Charles Huff to Memphis after a strong 2025 campaign with 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, a mark that was in the top 40 at the FBS level. Going into the season, Tapp was the lone non-Power Four player to be named to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg's list of the top 15 non-quarterback playmakers in college football.
Foster picks up his fourth total preseason all-conference honor, matching Tapp by being named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, while also picking up a second all-conference nod from Athlon Sports as a third-team kick returner. Foster helped anchor a Southern Miss defense that ranked fifth in the FBS in turnover margin and led the nation in interceptions with 23, with Foster having three of his own to go with 72 tackles.
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 or 28).
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.
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.
Defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp garnered recognition as a preseason all-conference defensive end and safety Ian Foster was listed as the defensive flex position honoree.
The Sports Info Solutions organization creates a preseason all-conference team across college sports, with honors based on a combination of scouting and statistical data analysis.
It marks the third preseason honor for Tapp after being named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He follows head coach Charles Huff to Memphis after a strong 2025 campaign with 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, a mark that was in the top 40 at the FBS level. Going into the season, Tapp was the lone non-Power Four player to be named to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg's list of the top 15 non-quarterback playmakers in college football.
Foster picks up his fourth total preseason all-conference honor, matching Tapp by being named to the Preseason American Conference First Team by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, while also picking up a second all-conference nod from Athlon Sports as a third-team kick returner. Foster helped anchor a Southern Miss defense that ranked fifth in the FBS in turnover margin and led the nation in interceptions with 23, with Foster having three of his own to go with 72 tackles.
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 or 28).
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.
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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