Eight Tigers were named to the American Conference 2025 All-Conference teams. A Memphis player filled nine different spots, with Sutton Smith being named at two different positions.
Five players were named the the first team, including wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr., offensive lineman Travis Burke, defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr., linebacker Sam Brumfield and return specialist Sutton Smith. Memphis tied Tulane for the most All-Conference first-team selections, with five players listed from both programs.
Braham led the team in receiving and was the go-to receiver for Brendon Lewis. Braham finished the regular season with 889 yards and eight touchdowns on 63 receptions, and he recorded three games with more than 100 receiving yards.
Burke started 11 games this season and with the 10th-best PFF grade in the country among offensive tackles.
Defensively, Whitlow Jr. was one of the defensive leaders of the team, and he ended with 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Brumfield, who transferred in from Virginia Tech, made a massive impact in his lone year with the Tigers, and he recorded 106 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception.
Smith’s name appeared on the first team, but he was listed as a return specialist. Smith recorded 125 yards on 15 punt returns and 155 yards and a touchdown on five kickoff returns.
Defensive back Omarion Cooper was the only Tiger listed on the second team. He recorded 36 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and had six pass deflections this season.
Three Tigers were listed on the third team, including Smith as a running back, defensive lineman Pooda Walker and kicker Gianni Spetic.
After returning from an ACL injury, Smith ran for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries. He split carries all season with Greg Desrosiers Jr., and he ended the year with more than 100 yards in three games, including a 147-yard performance against Arkansas.
Walker transferred in from Kennesaw State and played a big role on the Tigers’ defensive line. Walker recorded 28 tackles and 0.5 sacks this season, including a season-high seven tackles in a road win against Rice.
Spetic, another get from the transfer portal, also found himself on the third team after making 78.9 percent of his field goals and going a perfect 48-for-48 on extra point attempts. Spetic went 4-for-4 on kicks from 50 yards or longer, including a career-long 55-yarder against Georgia State and South Florida.