Mike Norvell, Memphis Reportedly Agree to Contract Extension Through 2022 Season
Dec 5, 2017
Memphis head coach Mike Norvell looks up at the scoreboard during a timeout in the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Memphis and head football coach Mike Norvell have agreed to a contract extension.
Norvell announced his extension Twitter on Tuesday:
Per Mark Giannotto and Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal, Norvell's new deal is for $13 million over five years through the 2022 season.
Norvell was hired by the Tigers in December 2015, taking over the program after Justin Fuente went to Virginia Tech. He spent four years at Arizona State from 2012-15 as the offensive coordinator on Todd Graham's staff.
Barrett Salleeof CBS Sports reported on Dec. 3 that Arkansas was looking at Norvell to take over as its head coach.
In two years at Memphis, Norvell has posted an 18-7 record. That success has led to direct results in recruiting, with247Sportsranking the Tigers' 2017 class No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference, trailing only Central Florida, which enters its bowl game undefeated at 12-0.
The Tigers' 10 wins in 2017 ties the school record set three years ago and they reached No. 20 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
Memphis can set a school record with its 11th win if it defeats Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30.
Memphis Safety Shaun Rupert Dismissed from Team After Robbery Charge
Sep 29, 2017
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Shaun Rupert #19 of the Memphis Tigers prepares to take the field against the Southern Illinois Salukis on September 23, 2017 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Southern Illinois 44-31. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
Memphis starting safety Shaun Rupert has been dismissed from the football team after he was arrested.
Per Kim Chaney of LocalMemphis.com, Rupert was arrested Thursday on robbery, burglary and weapons charges stemming from an alleged incident on May 25.
Chaney's report also included a statement from the University of Memphis athletic department:
"Shaun Rupert has been dismissed from the University of Memphis football team for a violation of team rules. This matter will also be reviewed by the Office of Student Accountability, Outreach and Support for violations of the UofM Student Code of Conduct. No additional comments will be made while the investigation is ongoing."
Chaney reported the victim told police Rupert and another man "pushed their way in" to the his apartment with handguns and demanded money. The victim added Rupert and the other man "stole two watches, and Xbox, and an Apple Macbook."
Rupert is said to have confessed to the robbery when brought in for questioning by police on Thursday.
Rupert previously played at the University of Missouri in 2014 before transferring to Memphis, where he appeared in 11 games in 2016 and started each of the team's first three games this season.
JJ Russell Leaves on Stretcher After Suffering Injury on Hit vs. UCLA
Sep 16, 2017
A Memphis football helmet sits on the turf before the start of an NCAA college football game between Memphis and Mississippi Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Memphis Tigers freshman linebacker JJ Russell was carted off the field during Saturday's game against the UCLA Bruins after taking a big hit during a kick return.
Deadspin tweeted a photo of the scene while Russell was being placed on a stretcher.
Yahoo Sports' Dr. Saturday noted that Russell appeared to be temporarily knocked out after the hit but was moving his legs afterward.
Per Dan Wolken of USA Today, it was reported on the ABC broadcast that Russell was OK.
Russell's injury occurred when he was hit hard by a blocker while attempting to pursue UCLA's return man.
The 6'1", 210-pound Russell is a Grenada, Mississippi, native who was making his second career appearance after registering one tackle in his debut against Louisiana Monroe.
Bleacher Report's Daily Football Fix for October 27
Oct 27, 2016
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 13: C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 13, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Check out five of the top NFL and NCAA football headlines from Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
C.J. Anderson Done for the Year?
Following a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, which suggested that Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson may have told people close to him that his season was done, Anderson took to Twitter to refute it.
"With third-down back C.J. Prosise healthy and playing," Rapoporttweeted, "the #Seahawks released RB CJ Spiller, they announced." Spiller appeared in two games for the Seahawks, rushing three times for nine yards and catching five passes and a touchdown.
Memphis WR Jae'Lon Oglesby's Car Shot After Altercation with Teammate
Following an altercation with a teammate, Memphis wide receiver Jae'Lon Oglesby's car came under gunfire on Tuesday, according to Tom Schadof the Commercial Appeal. Peter Fleischer of Fox 13 Memphis shared a picture of the car on Twitter.
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that tight end Julius Thomas, who is dealing with a nagging ankle injury, is questionable for Week 8. Thomas has 16 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Rapoporttweeted: "#Patriots RB Dion Lewis (knee) expected back at practice this week, source said, starting his 21-day window for activation. He's doing well."
Continue to visit Bleacher Report and the Team Stream app throughout the day for more NFL and NCAA football news and reaction.
Memphis WR Jae'Lon Oglesby's Car Shot After Altercation with Teammate
Oct 26, 2016
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 5: Jae'Lon Oglesby #19 of the Memphis Tigers runs after the catch against the Missouri State Bears on September 5, 2015 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Missouri State 63-7. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
A car belonging to Memphis Tigers sophomore wide receiver Jae'Lon Oglesby was fired at Tuesday night, according to Tom Schad of the Commercial Appeal.
Oglesby told local authorities he was inside his apartment when he heard the shots and discovered gunshot damage to his vehicle after going outside.
Peter Fleischer of Fox 13 in Memphis, Tennessee, provided a look at Ogleby's car:
Oglesby said he had a confrontation with teammate Kam Prewitt, a freshman defensive back, before the shooting Tuesday. Both players were suspended indefinitely while police investigate the incident, per the Associated Press.
Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen released a statement regarding the incident, per Schad.
"We are aware of the incident involving two student-athletes on the University of Memphis campus yesterday and are cooperating fully with the investigation," he said. "All student-athletes are subject to the University of Memphis Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, as well as University and athletic department policies."
In nine appearances, Oglesby had 20 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown in his freshman season, but he has played a smaller role in the passing game this year, catching five passes for 46 yards in five games.
Prewitt redshirted as a true freshman in 2015 and has yet to make his 2016 debut.
Jarvis Cooper, Memphis Running Back with Memphis Tattoo, Decides to Transfer
Remember when Denver Broncos defensive end Shane Ray got a Kansas City Chiefs tattoo during his rookie season? As it turned out, Ray got the ink to honor his hometown. Still—odd.
Today, there is another chapter in the wrong-team tattoo story. Memphis running back Jarvis Cooper has played two seasons with the Tigers, rushing for 767 yards and nine touchdowns. In March, he tweeted a photo of a new back tattoo—a depiction of him in full Tigers uniform.
Just over two months later, Cooper has indicated he plans to transfer (school, TBD).
Memphis coach Mike Norvell said, "With our current depth at running back, he is looking for an opportunity to be in a more featured role and for a fresh start. We wish him all the best in his future," per Tom Schad of the Commercial Appeal.
Awkward. Good for Cooper for having a sense of humor about the tat:
Memphis Reportedly Looks to Join Big 12 as Part of Potential Expansion
May 3, 2016
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: 'Pouncer', mascot of the Memphis Tigers poses for a photo during a game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 20, 2014 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis beat Middle Tennessee 36-17. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
The Memphis Tigers football program has been on the rise the past couple of seasons, and it reportedly wants to continue that ascension all the way to the Big 12.
According to Phil Stukenborg of the Commercial Appeal, “Memphis is among several schools seeking a move to the more lucrative Power Five conference, and the Big 12 may be considering two additional programs to get to 12.”
Memphis is currently in the American Athletic Conference.
This comes after the Big 12 hired Navigate Research to study the conference’s position in the national landscape. Stukenborg noted Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced the firm’s findings, which said “adding two teams would increase the league’s chances of being in the four-team College Football Playoff by ‘4-5 percent.’”
The Tigers would apparently love to be one of those two teams because university president M. David Rudd sent a promotional publication to University of Texas president Dr. Gregory Fenves back in December that highlighted the city of Memphis’ Fortune 500 companies, other attributes of the school and the recent run from the football team that went 19-7 the last two years, per Stukenborg.
The purpose of the promotion—titled “Memphis Soul of a City”—was to raise the idea of Memphis as a Big 12 expansion candidate.
Rudd even tweeted a link showcasing the school and its athletic achievements:
Stukenborg pointed out Memphis isn’t the only program from the American Athletic Conference that is looking to join the Big 12. He listed Cincinnati, Central Florida, Connecticut and Houston as other potential candidates, as well as football independent BYU.
To the Tigers’ credit, they have quickly developed into a winning football team after a few lackluster seasons:
Season
Record
Bowl
2009
2-10
None
2010
1-11
None
2011
2-10
None
2012
4-8
None
2013
3-9
None
2014
10-3
Miami Beach Bowl (W)
2015
9-4
Birmingham Bowl (L)
Head coach Justin Fuente was with the program since 2012 and was the architect behind the turnaround, but Virginia Tech hired him to replace the retired Frank Beamer. It will be up to former Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell to maintain that momentum after the Tigers hired him as Fuente’s replacement.
Memphis will also need to replace quarterback Paxton Lynch, who was selected by the Denver Broncos at No. 26 in the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft. Lynch threw for 3,776 yards and 28 touchdowns last season for the 9-4 Tigers and helped them knock off the SEC’s Ole Miss and start a perfect 8-0.
As for the Big 12, it has made the College Football Playoff one time in the system's two years of existence. Oklahoma lost to Clemson in the national semifinals last season, but there was a feeling the selection committee left the conference on the outside looking in during the 2014 campaign.
Ohio State leapfrogged both Baylor and TCU that season when the final standings were released after the Buckeyes destroyed Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. The Big 12 did not have a corresponding championship game, which gave Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer’s team one final opportunity to showcase its talent on a national stage.
Ohio State went on to win the national championship that year, but Bleacher Report’s Michael Felder indicated that expansion from the Big 12 may be an overreaction to a unique situation involving one of the country's top programs from 2014:
Just win football games. And recognize, as is the case in the history of CFB, if you're tied w/ a super power, you're gonna lose out.
While that may be the case, the possibility of joining a Power Five conference like the Big 12 would be a major opportunity for Memphis and the next step for a program on the rise.
2016 NFL Draft: Buyer Beware on Memphis Quarterback Paxton Lynch
Jan 9, 2016
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws a pass during the first half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game against Auburn Auburn, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The NFL playoffs are underway for several franchises, but that leaves the rest of the league with an eye turned toward 2016.
Some squads must rebuild from the ground up, and others are trying to upgrade specific positions so they can make a playoff push next year. One of the top needs for several of these teams is a quarterback. A franchise quarterback can be defined many ways, including as one being among the most elite of the NFL. This would be the top six or seven guys such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and players of that ilk.
My definition is a top-15 quarterback who can reasonably become a playmaker at the position to help win playoff games—and eventually a Super Bowl.
Since the elite signal-callers are so difficult to develop, NFL teams must project collegiate talent and decide if there is someone they can build a winner around.
We’ve already broken down the game of California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff, and now it is time to look at Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch.
I studied Memphis' offense in all but three games to get a good feel for Lynch as a player and prospect. (The three games I didn’t chart were those against Missouri State, Kansas and SMU.) After tracking his progression from late 2014 to the end of his 2015 season, I concluded that franchises with a high draft pick should beware of Lynch.
We’re going to look at Lynch’s strengths, weaknesses and how he projects into the NFL. Let’s start with a broad view and then narrow down his specific traits.
Who Is Paxton Lynch?
Lynch is listed at 6’7”, 245 pounds and was a three-year starter for the Memphis Tigers. He was a 2-star recruit out of Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, Florida. Although he drew some attention from the University of Florida, Charlie Weis’ departure from the program in late 2011 led the quarterback to sign with Justin Fuente and Memphis.
With his height and thick, natural frame, the first obvious positive for Lynch is his size. He will face zero questions about his durability, as his build is similar to that of Cam Newton (6'5", 245 lbs) and Joe Flacco (6'6", 245 lbs) Physically, he’s NFL-ready.
Player agent Leigh Steinberg recently tweeted: "#THE AGENT Interesting @PAXTONLYNCH fact-his hands are 11 1/2 inches, longest ever for QB, extra gripping capacity on a rainy day."
Lynch was relatively unknown among many draft outlets until this season. I ranked Lynch as my third-best draft-eligible quarterback prior to the campaign, with the hope that he would take another giant leap in development.
He did so and now ranks as a top-10 prospect overall, according to ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
Year
Completions
Attempts
Completion Percentage
Yards
Yards Per Attempt
TDs
INTs
2013
203
349
58.2
2,056
5.9
9
10
2014
259
413
62.7
3,031
7.3
22
9
2015
296
443
66.8
3,778
8.5
28
4
Not only has Lynch improved his tape, but his production has taken leaps as well. His 8.5 average yards per attempt is impressive, and his average in the category has dramatically risen each season. He mastered the Tigers’ spread offense to the point where he is an efficient player who still creates opportunities.
Downfield Accuracy
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 30: Paxton Lynch #12 of the Memphis Tigers looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on December 30, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama. Auburn defeated Memphis 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Imag
Memphis used a spread offense based on concepts from Art Briles’ Baylor attack and Brigham Young’s 1970's West Coast offense. Fuente was part of the Texas Christian University offensive staff from 2007 until 2011 when TCU turned into a powerhouse. He also saw firsthand what a spread attack can do for a quarterback, as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was a product of the system.
The West Coast principles co-offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey employed played a major role in Lynch’s success as well. Memphis liked to dink and dunk before spraying downfield on occasion. The Tigers relied on Lynch’s strong arm and quick eyes to get the ball out to the open man. When the defense started to creep up, the offense manufactured space by attacking downfield.
I charted Lynch’s passes to determine what percentage of his throws were reasonably catchable. This is subjective and does not align with traditional statistics because I’m looking to add context to those numbers. But it also helps us see where Lynch excelled and where he struggled.
Most notable in the chart is how well Lynch attacked downfield. Memphis averaged just 4.1 downfield passing attempts in the 11 games I noted, but he was effective in throwing a catchable ball. His receivers had a 48.8 percent chance to reel in his 45 deep throws, which ranks second among the top four draft-eligible quarterbacks I charted this year.
The importance of the catchable-throws aspect is those attempts give the receiver a chance without asking him to make a one-handed, circus-style catch. There are some incomplete passes that are accurate, just like there are some inaccurate passes that end up being caught because of luck or due to an otherworldly receiver making an exceptional catch. Here’s an example.
Lynch maximizes the leverage his receivers create on deep passes. On the play below, watch as Lynch perfectly places his pass to the outside shoulder of his target. The Cincinnati cornerback does a good enough job working the receiver to the sideline, but the pass was indefensible. The catch wasn’t easy to make, but the excellent pass made it possible, even with great coverage:
Despite his size, Lynch does not have an overly powerful arm. We’ll touch on that more later.
But he has a good enough arm to hit any throw as long as he’s in rhythm. When he plants and drives the ball, he can put serious torque on his passes.
Some of this stems from his massive hands. With an incredible 11.5-inch hand length, Lynch can control the football as you or I could a Nerf mini-football. When everything goes reasonably well mechanically, Lynch is capable of hitting tight windows with proper timing and placement.
Hitting deep out routes is a massive positive for Lynch and the offense he’ll join. Memphis rarely tried these, which is probably more due to his receivers lacking the skill set needed to execute this play. Lynch’s above-average accuracy on intermediate and deep routes complement his excellent underneath throwing talent.
Comfort in and out of the Pocket
What separates Lynch from big, stiff signal-callers such as Flacco and Ryan Mallett is his athleticism. It’s rare to find men of Lynch’s stature playing quarterback and not in a basketball frontcourt. His ability in the pocket or to extend plays outside of the pocket will cause evaluators and coaches to drool over his potential.
Similar to Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, Lynch can thrive in an offense that begs defenses to bring pressure. Since Lynch can brush off rushers, he buys time for receivers to spring free. He’s not a run-first player when the pocket breaks down, but he’s absolutely capable of gaining chunk yardage when he escapes the tackle box.
But just because Lynch can run doesn’t make him a running quarterback. As seen above, he has a natural feel for the chaos around him. He doesn’t panic often and will rarely force bad passes. The above clip helps show his patience and eye level as he tries to give his receivers the chance to come free.
Even when facing better competition, Lynch sticks out via his athleticism. For example, he was masterful on the move against Ole Miss. This helps on third-down scramble drills that he will face in the NFL.
Offensive coordinators who are looking for a moldable talent to challenge how a defense prepares will also enjoy his red-zone capabilities. Lynch is a decent pocket passer in the red zone but really excels on the move. Changing his launch point is smart because he draws the linebackers toward him as soon as his legs start churning.
Mechanics on roll-outs is an area where Lynch showed improvement from the start to the end of the season. He began the year taking a flat, almost horizontal, line to the weak side of the field. This was an issue, as Lynch doesn’t have a strong enough arm to execute without his lower body helping to create torque.
As we can see against Auburn in the December 30, 2015, Birmingham Bowl (among other examples late in the season), Lynch bows out more and works upfield when he’s preparing to throw. The result of his pass is a more accurate and timely throw, but he also had the chance to run if he wanted to.
The dual-threat aspect adds layers to defenders’ decision-making processes.
System Transition
While Lynch has intriguing strengths, his weaknesses emerged as the season progressed. As defenses adjusted to Memphis’ offensive attack, Lynch was unable to adapt and his performance dipped. That's evident, per Lynch’s accuracy chart from before and after Week 11.
You’ll notice an excellent overall number of a 79 percent catchable-passes rate prior to Week 11. He had just one interception and three other interceptable passes. His efficiency and ability to protect the ball is a critical part of his projection into a more complex NFL system.
But things changed down the stretch. The quality of opponents improved on a weekly basis, and the Tigers’ simplified offense bogged down and became more run-centric. Memphis’ playmakers weren’t getting wide open anymore, and Lynch struggled to adjust.
Remember, this accuracy chart has nothing to do with actual completions, but rather, it isolates the performance of just the quarterback. If the pass is accurate, it is tallied so, regardless of how the receiver plays the ball. There is no doubt Lynch did not respond well when defenses took away the easy reads he previously had.
The big issue with Memphis’ and Baylor’s offense is how they are based around pre-snap reads. This exposes Lynch to some bad habits and poor decision-making. New York Jets and former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty talked about his struggles adjusting to the NFL. Lynch will likely have similar issues.
Putting too much stock into one play isn’t fair, but one sequence can tell a story. In Lynch’s case, he repeatedly struggled with making the right decision in packaged plays such as the one above against Temple.
Let’s dig into this story.
We see the offense aligned with trips receivers on the top of the screen, another split on the near hash and one on the outside numbers. Pre-snap, the numbers don’t make sense to go to the trips screen, so Lynch rules out his first read without looking there post-snap. But he forces the throw to his slot receiver, who was smothered by the time the ball was released.
Since Lynch didn’t bother to read the defender’s first steps, he nearly throws an interception. This was avoidable since the outside receiver is open with about six yards of cushion on a curl route. That was the correct read.
We have another example of his getting stuck on his pre-snap read, this time against Auburn. Below we see a should-be interception, which could have been the third against Auburn, including dropped interceptions.
This short-side throw is late, but it was always well-covered, as we can see below:
The screenshot is to highlight what Lynch should have seen before he starts his throwing motion. The red circle shows the cornerback in Cover 2, and he is clearly following the outside receiver upfield. With the safety roaming over the top, there is no reason Lynch should throw this pass. Also factor in that he had a wide-open slot receiver who could have been off to the races with an accurate target.
Lack of Nuance
While the successful quarterback doesn’t have to have perfect mechanics or a tight spiral on every throw, there is a certain level of nuance needed on a consistent basis. Aspects such as stepping into throws, reading leverage and working through progressions are incredibly important. Lynch struggles with his lower body quite often despite his experience.
As mentioned earlier, Lynch has a good but not great arm. He is unable to compensate for poor footwork, which can be said for all but a small handful of NFL quarterbacks. The margin for error rises when the ball flutters to the far side of the field.
This is a constant issue for Lynch. He is an effortless passer who can push the ball downfield, but when the windows shrink, he needs to put extra mustard on his throws to give his receiver time to create after the catch. If he steps into his throws and leads with his pivot foot, his accuracy will increase.
Watch Lynch’s pivot foot on the video above. He whips his front hip open to the sideline, and the ball comes out wobbly. This will be a pick-six in the NFL, as the defender was given way too much time to react. The ball was unpredictable as it left his hand because his lower body was not aligned to his target.
His horizontal step to the sideline with his leading foot is a habit that must end immediately. His throws cannot be late and to the wrong shoulder in the NFL with any regularity. Every quarterback makes mistakes, but poor ball placement and below-average velocity are two things that will crush his success at the pro level.
Where He Can Improve
Lynch’s footwork must be the first area of improvement. While he is a natural at the position, there were many missed opportunities that can push Lynch to franchise quarterback if he can convert them. Hitting wide open receivers in stride on intermediate routes is, at times, an issue for Lynch, and it has everything to do with his lower body.
Shoring up his footwork will also aid his arm. Lynch’s hands can be a good thing, but they are also a negative at times. He has an over-the-top delivery, with his hand almost palming the football when he throws. This creates extra spin on the ball when Lynch is trying to throw too hard without his base aligned.
A new system may also bring challenges for Lynch. He did show a functional knowledge and understanding for leverage and positioning of his receivers and the defenders. But there is room for improvement with situational football. An example can be found on the third down below:
On 3rd-and-4, Lynch happily took the covered slot receiver for three yards, even though he was the most covered man in his progression. The zone-based defense had hoped for this, and the two underneath linebackers quickly smothered the receiver.
Here's how the play unfolded:
Had Lynch recognized the zone coverage, the correct read was his streaking receiver, highlighted with an orange outline. The cornerback has overcommitted to his zone and turned his back to the receiver. With just one safety single high over the top, Lynch easily could have completed this for chunk yardage and a first down.
It’s a play like this that should cause concern for just how far Lynch is from becoming a viable starter in the NFL.
Projection
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 30: Paxton Lynch #12 of the Memphis Tigers looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on December 30, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama. Auburn defeated Memphis 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty
Lynch has the size that scouts dream of, and his breakout 2015 campaign was encouraging for his outlook. He shows a natural comfort in the pocket that most quarterbacks can only fantasize about. His best plays strike up images of a young Roethlisberger.
Lynch's upside is significant, and it's why he’s been projected as a top-10 pick. But we cannot overlook the obvious weaknesses to his game, either. He’ll need at least a year to refine his footwork and then adjust to an NFL playbook. The jump from the AAC to the NFL is steep.
Finding the best fit for Lynch is relatively easy, but he has a major buyer-beware sticker on his projection. Taking Lynch in the top half of the first round sets a high expectation that he will be a franchise quarterback at some point in his rookie contract. While he may get there, don’t expect that climb to come until the latter part of a five-year deal.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Paxton Lynch #12 of the Memphis Tigers warms up prior to the game against the Temple Owls on November 21, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
In comparison to recent prospects, Lynch falls between Ryan Tannehill and Brock Osweiler. Tannehill and Lynch both excel on short and intermediate passes, and they use their mobility. But Tannehill improved quickly despite limited experience in college, and he seems to be, at worst, an average NFL quarterback. Osweiler has struggled when he’s played, but he needs more time to prove whether or not he can develop.
The top-10 hype on Lynch is simply too much. Dallas, with the No. 4 pick, is the only team drafting that high that should even consider him. The Cowboys offer a rare situation in which Lynch can develop. But it might be wiser to draft Goff, who is clearly the better quarterback prospect.
Lynch has franchise quarterback potential, but it’ll take a few years. If he’s afforded the time, he can greatly reward an organization. But the growing pains he will have may resemble those from his collegiate experience, which quickly peaked once things started clicking.
Paxton Lynch Declares for 2016 NFL Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction
Dec 31, 2015
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch plays against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The race to be the top quarterback in the 2016 draft just got more interesting Thursday after Paxton Lynch announced at a press conference he'll forgo his senior season and head to the NFL.
Tom Schad of the Commercial Appeal provided video of Lynch's announcement:
Lynch was a three-year starter for the Memphis Tigers, steadily improving with each season. He seriously entered the draft discussion as a sophomore, throwing for 3,031 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His stock then exploded this year as a result of his performance and Memphis' overall success. Lynch finished 2015 with 3,778 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions.
At least at this stage, many fans and draft experts consider Jared Goff the best QB prospect in this year's draft class. In his November midseason rankings, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller put Goff at No. 1 but had Lynch right behind him at No. 2.
The draft process is fluid, and seeing Lynch take the top spot or fall out of a first-round grade altogether wouldn't be surprising. When the 2013 season ended, almost nobody pegged Blake Bortles as the first quarterback in the 2014 draft, while Teddy Bridgewater was the assumed No. 1 but instead went No. 32 in the first round.
Speaking on TheRich Eisen Show (via NFL.com's Chase Goodbread) in November, NFL Network's Mike Mayock compared Lynch to a former Super Bowl MVP.
"His tape against Ole Miss is intriguing," Mayock said. "He's got a good arm, I don't think it's elite, (and) he's athletic for 6-7. He reminds me of Joe Flacco athletically. Good arm, good release. He has to hasten the process a little bit."
The MMQB's Peter King took the comparison one step further:
One personnel man whose team will be in the market for a quarterback next spring told me last week Lynch reminds him of a bigger Ben Roethlisberger at this point of their college careers. Lynch is 6-7 and 245 pounds. Roethlisberger was 6-5 and 241 coming out of Miami (Ohio). Both with big arms. We’re five-and-a-half months away from the draft, so it’s ridiculously early to make any judgments. But Lynch has scouts fascinated.
Like Bortles did a few years ago, Lynch will have to deal with critics questioning whether his skills were inflated by playing in a non-Power Five conference. However, he went 39-of-53 for 384 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the upset of then-No. 13 Ole Miss on Oct. 17.
Lynch has all the tools to become a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback in a few years: above-average arm strength, impressive accuracy, ability to scramble out of the pocket and a prototypical frame. The player Lynch could be in a few years will likely entice some team to spend an early first-rounder on him come April.
Reggis Ball Dismissed by Memphis After Actions in Bowl Game vs. Auburn
Dec 30, 2015
Auburn wide receiver Jason Smith (4) gets past Memphis defensive back Reggis Ball (39) for a touchdown during the second half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Memphis senior safety Reggis Ball has been dismissed by the football team following his actions after the team's 31-10 loss against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl on Wednesday.
According to Dana Sulonen of the Opelika-Auburn News, Ball was flipping people off after apparently stealing a game ball that Auburn was trying to get back. Memphis subsequently announced Ball's dismissal for his actions.
In the statement provided by Memphis announcing Ball's dismissal, athletic director Tom Bowen issued an apology to Auburn's football program.
"I want to personally apologize to Jay Jacobs, Gus Malzahn, the Auburn Football team, its fans and the Birmingham Bowl for the highly inappropriate actions of one of my student-athletes regarding a game ball at the end of Wednesday's game," Bowen said.
Bowen added the decision to remove Ball from Memphis' football team came after a consultation with university President M. David Rudd, interim head coach Darrell Dickey and incoming head coach Mike Norvell.
Ball was playing in his final game with the Tigers, so being dismissed following the team's bowl game won't affect his on-field career.
From a legal perspective, however, Ball may end up facing charges. According to James Crepea of AL.com, Birmingham police Chief A.C. Roper said his office had obtained video of the incident but Auburn's equipment manager had not yet filed a police report.
"He may decide to allow the school to handle it," Roper said, "but the legal system can be utilized if he chooses."
Norvell told Crepea the school was "embarrassed" by Ball's actions and they were "definitely not the standards or expectations the Memphis football program."
Ball has appeared in all 50 games he's been eligible for since arriving at Memphis in 2012. He transitioned from linebacker to defensive back after his freshman season, posting a career-high 52 tackles and three interceptions before Wednesday's bowl game.
Memphis' stellar season, in which it tied a school record with nine wins, had a memorable ending for all the wrong reasons thanks to Ball's actions.
