Former Tennessee QB Riley Ferguson (10) takes over in place of Paxton Lynch. Photo Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Riley Ferguson has officially been named Memphis’ starting quarterback for the Tigers’ season opener at Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 3.
Ferguson takes the reins from Paxton Lynch, who was a first-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in April.
“It’s just a blessing,” said Ferguson, who threw for 2,942 yards and 35 touchdowns at Coffeyville Community College last season. “I’m not really worried about being named the starting quarterback. I’m just worried about the things I can do to make this team better.”
Ferguson originally committed to Tennessee out of high school before transferring to Coffeyville, and enrolled at Memphis in January. He started the Tigers’ spring game and has taken the majority of the reps with the first team during fall camp while competing with redshirt senior Jason Stewart, redshirt freshman Brady Davis and freshman David Moore.
Ferguson is a native of Matthews, N.C.
“Riley’s got a great skill set,” Norvell said via The Commercial Appeal. “He’s a guy that’s got a strong arm. He’s a very intelligent football player. And he plays with extreme accuracy. That’s something I think is definitely one of his strengths. He’s a guy that has some elusiveness about him and can extend plays. But for us, we’re looking for a guy that can go out there and manage the offense and get the ball in places where it needs to be. If he continues to do that, I think he’ll have great success.”
