The Memphis Tigers organized a Fan Fest on August 8 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, marking the first public opportunity for supporters to see the 2026 squad in action. The event had been moved from the spring to avoid inclement weather and set the stage for a season that opens on August 29.
Quarterback Competition and Special‑Teams Focus
Coach Charles Huff took the chance to outline the team’s priorities, emphasizing special‑teams work and incremental playbook refinement. He noted that the public practice would be limited to seven‑on‑seven drills and other controlled exercises.
During those drills, quarterbacks Air Noland and Marcus Stokes competed directly. Noland found the end zone on a red‑zone run, while Stokes also scored despite a defensive holding penalty that was called on the defense.
The special‑teams unit featured players such as Manny Covey, Jermane Hayes and Ellis Ellis, who participated in the on‑field competitions alongside the starters. Their involvement highlighted the depth of the unit as the coaching staff evaluated performance.
Stadium renovations, underway for two years, remain incomplete but showed progress in the west tower and new suites. Coach Huff said he will wait until the first home game to fully assess the upgrades, which are part of a broader effort to modernize Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
After the Fan Fest, the team will take a brief pause on August 9 for a ‘middle of the semester assessment’ before reconvening to fine‑tune strategies. The Tigers’ season opener is scheduled for a road game at UNLV on August 29.