Memphis News: Six Memphis Tigers Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors Heading Into Fall Camp

Direct Answer: Six University of Memphis football players have been named to Pro Football Network’s 2026 Preseason American Conference teams, showcasing elite talent across both offense and defense under head coach Charles Huff.

The honorees are defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp, safety Ian Foster, running back Manny Covey, offensive lineman Riley McGehee, cornerback Anthony Richard Jr., and safety Ahmere Foster. Tapp, Ian Foster, and Covey earned first-team recognition, while McGehee and Richard received second-team honors and Ahmere Foster was selected to the third team.

By Dr. Layne McDonald, Founder of Memphis News with a Purpose

Beat: Sports

Recognition Arrives as Fall Camp Intensifies

The University of Memphis announced the honors on August 10 as the Tigers continue preparing for the 2026 season. The recognition gives Memphis fans an encouraging snapshot of the roster, but it also raises an important football question: Can preseason expectations become consistent execution when the games begin?

The official announcement from Memphis Athletics confirms that six Tigers were selected, including three first-team players. The list reflects strength at several critical positions: the defensive line, secondary, running back, and offensive line.

That balance matters for a team entering the first season of the Charles Huff era. Football games are not won by individual awards alone. They are won through preparation, communication, discipline, and a willingness to serve the larger mission of the team.

Recognition is a responsibility, not a guarantee.

The First-Team Tigers

J’Mond Tapp: A Veteran Defensive Presence

Defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp earned first-team honors for the fourth time in his career. That repeated recognition signals how highly conference observers regard his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and lead the defensive front.

For Memphis, Tapp’s value extends beyond statistics. Defensive linemen often set the tone for an entire unit by handling double teams, creating pressure, and helping linebackers and defensive backs make plays. His experience could become especially important as the Tigers install new expectations under Huff and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.

Tapp’s challenge is familiar to every veteran athlete: Past recognition must be followed by present-day faithfulness. Last season’s performance and preseason honors cannot make the tackle on opening night. The work still has to be done.

Ian Foster: A Leader in the Secondary

Safety Ian Foster also received first-team recognition. The honor is his fifth total preseason all-conference selection, including four first-team nods and a previous third-team selection as a kick returner.

A safety is often responsible for seeing the entire field. That role requires physical ability, communication, and trust. One missed assignment in the secondary can change the outcome of a game, while one well-timed read can preserve a victory.

Foster’s experience should give Memphis a stabilizing presence in the defensive backfield. His leadership will be tested early against UNLV and later against a demanding road schedule that includes Boise State, Tulane, South Florida, and Navy.

Manny Covey: Versatility on Offense and Special Teams

Running back Manny Covey was named to the first team, with additional recognition as a punt returner. The Cincinnati transfer brings a versatile résumé to Memphis after producing 436 all-purpose yards in 2025, including 198 rushing yards, 82 receiving yards, and 156 punt-return yards.

That versatility can be valuable in several ways. Covey may contribute from the backfield, in the passing game, and in field-position situations. A player who can influence multiple phases of the game gives a coaching staff more options and forces opponents to prepare for different possibilities.

Still, versatility requires discipline. A player must understand assignments, ball security, blocking responsibilities, and special-teams decisions. The more roles an athlete carries, the more important preparation becomes.

Second- and Third-Team Recognition

Riley McGehee Strengthens the Offensive Line

Offensive lineman Riley McGehee earned second-team honors. The selection is his second preseason recognition, following a fourth-team honor from Phil Steele.

Offensive linemen rarely receive the same public attention as quarterbacks, running backs, or defensive playmakers. Yet the line determines whether those players have time and space to perform. Protection, run blocking, communication, and physical endurance are foundational to every offensive plan.

McGehee’s role could become especially significant as Memphis builds consistency with a new staff and a roster that includes substantial turnover. The offensive line must operate as one unit. Individual talent cannot compensate for five players failing to communicate before the snap.

Anthony Richard Jr. Brings Experience to the Cornerback Room

Cornerback Anthony Richard Jr. was named to the second team, earning his first preseason all-conference recognition. Richard played for Huff at Marshall and Southern Miss during the previous two seasons.

He recorded four interceptions last season for a Southern Miss defense that ranked first in the FBS in total interceptions. That experience gives Memphis a defensive back who has already played in systems connected to the Tigers’ new head coach.

The transition to a new program, however, still demands humility. Every transfer must learn new terminology, develop trust with teammates, and prove that past success can translate to a new environment. Richard’s background is encouraging, but fall camp remains the proving ground.

Ahmere Foster Rounds Out the Honors

Safety Ahmere Foster earned third-team recognition. The senior from Miami, Florida, has anchored Huff’s defensive backfield for the past two seasons and recorded three interceptions last year. He has also contributed on special teams, blocking a punt in each of the last two seasons.

His selection gives Memphis another experienced voice in the secondary. Together, Ahmere Foster and Ian Foster could provide a strong combination of communication and playmaking.

The Tigers will need both safeties to remain connected as the schedule becomes more demanding. Defensive backs must respond quickly, but they must also respond together.

The UNLV Opener Will Test the Hype

Memphis opens the season against UNLV in Las Vegas on August 29. The official 2026 Memphis football schedule lists the kickoff for 9 p.m. Central.

The opener is an immediate road test against a Mountain West opponent, followed by another difficult road trip to Boise State on September 12. Memphis will also face a challenging American Conference schedule that includes Tulane, South Florida, Navy, Army, East Carolina, UAB, Charlotte, and Temple.

Preseason honors can build excitement, but they can also create pressure. As Action News 5 reported during camp preparations, Huff cautioned that positive noise can be just as distracting as negative noise.

That is a useful lesson for fans as well. It is appropriate to celebrate the accomplishments of these six players. It is also wise to keep expectations grounded. The awards are predictions and recognition: not final results.

What This Means for Memphis

The six selections point to several encouraging developments:

• Memphis has recognizable talent on both sides of the ball.

• The Tigers have experienced leadership in the defensive front and secondary.

• The roster includes players with proven production and transfer experience.

• Special teams could benefit from the versatility of Manny Covey and the defensive playmaking of Ahmere Foster.

• The new coaching staff has inherited a group capable of receiving national conference recognition.

At the same time, the Tigers must answer practical questions during camp:

• Will the offensive line develop reliable communication?

• Can the defense create pressure without giving up explosive plays?

• How quickly will transfers become fully comfortable in the system?

• Which quarterback will ultimately lead the offense?

• Can preseason confidence become disciplined performance?

Those questions do not diminish the honors. They explain why the next few weeks matter so much.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Memphis players earned Pro Football Network preseason honors?

Six University of Memphis football players were selected to the 2026 Preseason American Conference teams.

Who were the first-team selections?

J’Mond Tapp, Ian Foster, and Manny Covey earned first-team recognition. Covey was also recognized as a first-team punt returner.

Which Tigers earned second-team honors?

Riley McGehee and Anthony Richard Jr. were named to the second team.

Who earned third-team recognition?

Safety Ahmere Foster was selected to the third team.

When does Memphis open the 2026 season?

The Tigers open the season against UNLV in Las Vegas on August 29 at 9 p.m. Central, according to the Memphis Athletics schedule.

Where can fans read more Memphis football coverage?

Readers can follow continuing coverage at the Memphis News with a Purpose blog, including our earlier report on Charles Huff and the Tigers’ championship standards.

Christian Takeaway

Preseason honors are a reminder that gifts and opportunities should be stewarded carefully. A player may receive public recognition, but character is often formed in quiet moments: early workouts, difficult corrections, extra film study, and decisions made when no one is watching.

Colossians 3:23 teaches, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” That verse does not promise that every effort will produce a trophy. It does call us to faithfulness, excellence, and integrity in the work God has placed before us.

For the Tigers, the goal is not simply to be noticed. The goal is to become dependable teammates and representatives of Memphis.

How to Pray/Engage

Peacemaker’s Perspective

Sports can bring people together, but sports conversations can also become unnecessarily hostile. Fans may disagree about predictions, players, coaching decisions, or outcomes. Christian peacemaking does not require people to stop caring. It calls us to care without demeaning others.

The six Memphis honorees deserve encouragement, but they should not be burdened with unrealistic expectations. UNLV deserves respect, and every opponent on the schedule should be evaluated fairly. A strong fan culture can be passionate and gracious at the same time.

The Tigers’ season will ultimately be measured by wins and losses, but Memphis can also watch for qualities that matter beyond the scoreboard: perseverance, accountability, teamwork, and service.

Call to Action

Share this article with a Memphis Tigers fan, then comment with one specific quality you hope to see from the team this season: discipline, unity, defense, offensive consistency, or something else. Follow Memphis News with a Purpose for balanced Memphis sports coverage through the UNLV opener and beyond.