Early Opponent Preview: Arkansas State

After a Week Zero matchup against UNLV, Memphis will return home to play Arkansas State for its home opener. It will be Charles Huff’s first game as head coach inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, and it will also be the stadium’s debut following its renovations.

The Red Wolves look to improve following a 7-6 season in 2025, and most outlets believe they could push to be a top team in the Sun Belt. Head coach Butch Jones hasn’t won more than five games in conference since taking over at Arkansas State, and he will be forced to replace dynamic quarterback Jaylen Raynor.

Jones brought in three Power Four quarterbacks in the transfer portal, and it will be interesting to see who wins the starting job. Drew Dickey and Jeremy St-Hilaire both transferred to Jonesboro from Vanderbilt, while Trey Owens transferred from Texas.

The running back room returns leading rushers Devin Spencer and Kenyon Clay, and the two will look to improve from last season. The two backs combined for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, and they will likely split carries again in 2026.

The receiving room loses 1,000-yard receiver Corey Rucher, but they return starters Hunter Summers and Chauncy Cobb. Cobb recorded 797 yards and a touchdown last year, while Summers found the end zone four times.

The offensive line returns three starters, and they added four offensive linemen from the transfer portal.

While the offense will return seven starters, the defense only brought back two safeties from last year’s team. AG McGhee and Brandon Barnes are both back, and they’ll look to be leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

The Red Wolves’ secondary struggled last season, allowing nearly 250 passing yards per game, and it will be interesting to see if they improve in 2026.

McGhee recorded 68 tackles, five pass deflections and an interception as a junior, while Barnes recorded 68 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore.

The defensive line must replace a ton of production, and sophomore Ryan Reese is the only returning defensive tackle on the roster. Reese recorded 12 tackles in five games as a freshman, and will look to crack the starting rotation this season.

Arkansas State returns a pair of sophomore linebackers who saw a lot of playing time as freshmen. Nigel Nelson recorded 54 tackles as a freshman, while Joe Drew started the final five games last year.

The Red Wolves open the season with a road game against the Tigers, and they will play their home opener in week two against FCS West Georgia.