Who starts on the offensive line for the Tigers?

In nearly two months, Memphis will start its season with a Week Zero matchup against UNLV. With more than 70 new players on the roster, there are questions about who will start at multiple positions.

Several preseason magazines are already out, and Athlon Sports and Lindy’s Sports both provide starter projections for every team at the FBS level. These predictions can give fans an idea of who will start for their team, but it’s not necessarily a clear indication that a player will start. 

After looking at several positions, including wide receiver, it’s time to see who the magazines think will start on the offensive line.

Athlon Sports & Lindy’s 

OT Aaron Karas (Colorado State transfer)

OG Maarten Woudsma (Old Dominion transfer)

C Koby Keenum (Mississippi State transfer)

OG Parker Mitchell 

OT Riley McGehee (Arkansas State transfer)

(Lindy’s backups)

OG Jonathan Young 

OT Brian Grant (Tennessee transfer)

C Phillip Gray (Richmond transfer)

OG Skyler Grant (Old Dominion transfer)

OT Xavier Allen (Bucknell transfer)

Both Athlon and Lindy’s predict the same five starters across the offensive line, and it includes mostly transfers brought in this offseason. Offensive guard Parker Mitchell is the only returner that is set to be a starter on the offensive line.

Mitchell started all 13 games last season, and he has logged 2,432 collegiate snaps over his four-year career. The guard started his career at Richmond before transferring ahead of the 2025 season.

Aaron Karas is projected to start at right tackle after being a two-year starter at Colorado State. Karas has logged 1,692 snaps, and he posted a 71.8 run-block grade during the 2025 season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Arkansas State transfer Riley McGehee is projected to start at the other tackle position, and he joins the Tigers after starting all 13 games for the Red Wolves last year. McGehee recorded a 69.1 pass-block grade and allowed only four sacks last season.

While Mitchell will start at right guard, Maarten Woudsma will likely start at left guard. Woudsma followed offensive coordinator Kevin Decker from Old Dominion after starting nearly every game over the last two seasons in Decker’s offense. 

The guard allowed only three sacks and finished the season with a 65.8 pass-block grade.

Koby Keenum will likely start at center, but he has logged the fewest snaps among any of the projected starters. Keenum started his career at Kentucky before transferring to Mississippi State.

He has only played 52 snaps over the last two seasons, but he was given an 80.5 offensive grade by PFF.

There are a few interesting players listed as backups by Lindy’s, including Phillip Gray and Skyler Grant. Gray was named a preseason Third Team All-Conference selection by Phil Steele, while Grant spent a lot of time playing in Decker’s offense.

It will be interesting to see where both of those players land on the first depth chart of the season.