A pair of Tigers make preseason honor watch lists
Coffey, Smith garnering attention ahead of 2024
From the University of Memphis
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Coffey Added to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watchlist
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis defensive back An’Darius Coffey was named to the 2024 Allstate Wurffel Trophy watch list on Thursday, the Wuerffel Foundation announced. The preseason watch list consists of 111 nominees representing players from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Coffey, a redshirt senior, appeared in a dozen games for the 10-win Tigers in 2023, making five starts. The Winona, Mississippi, native totaled 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, three pass breakups, a pair of quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery – including a season-high five stops in the win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
College football’s premier award for community service and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel’s commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trophy’s founding, and the Foundation will recognize the first nineteen recipients throughout the fall season.
Announced recently, the Wuerffel Foundation partnered with Allstate to unify college football’s highest community service honors.
Eleven of the watch list nominees will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be Allstate Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12th. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place February 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watchlist
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis junior running back Sutton Smith was named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday. The Paul Hornung Award is presented annually to the most versatile player in college football.
Smith was picked Preseason First Team All-AAC kick returner by Phil Steele after averaging 24.2 yards per return in 2023 to rank 18th nationally and second in The American and was a member of last season's 10-win squad that defeated Iowa State in the Auto-Zone Liberty Bowl where he scored on a 48-yard catch and run while making three Cyclones miss. The versatile back totaled 77 yards and a touchdown on four rushes and a pair of receptions in the bowl win.
In addition to ranking inside the top 20 nationally in kickreturn average, the Powder Springs, Georgia, native rushed for 115 yards and a pair of scores on 18 carries in the 2023 season-opening win over Bethune Cookman. On the season, Smith totaled 449 scrimmage yards with four touchdowns while splitting backfield duties with First Team All-AAC back Blake Watson and Brandon Thomas.
Memphis football fans can see the Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the team's season opener on Saturday, Aug. 31 To catch all of the action in the highly-anticipated 2024 Memphis Football season, fans can also purchase season tickets at GoTigersGo.com, in person at the Memphis Ticket Office or by calling the office at (901) 678-2331.
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