June 9, 2009

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Ten Tigers are listed on the preseason All-Conference USA team as featured in Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine which is available on newsstands this month.

Offensively, running back Curtis Steele and lineman Dominik Riley landed on the second team, while lineman Malcom Rawls and receivers Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton were placed on the fourth team.

Steele was C-USA's Newcomer of the Year in 2008 and led the Tigers with 1,223 yards rushing, which ranks fourth at Memphis for single-season yardage. He totaled six 100-yard rushing games last season, including a career-high 203 yards versus Arkansas State. Riley and Rawls were part of a Tiger offensive line that ranked second in C-USA in sacks allowed with just 17. The Tiger offensive line was instrumental in Memphis ranking 26th nationally in total offense and 22nd in rushing offense.

Calhoun and Singleton are poised to end their careers this season as the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers in school history. Heading into the 2009 season, Calhoun ranks second in career receptions with 144 and in career yards with 2,058. He needs just four receptions and 66 yards to hold the school records in both categories. He also enters the season ranked third nationally with an active receiving streak that spans 37 games. Singleton is fourth all-time in receiving yards at Memphis with 1,858 yards, and is tied for the all-time record in career touchdown catches with 19. Last year, Singleton logged 12 receptions of 20-plus yards, including four catches over 40 yards.

Linebacker Greg Jackson and safety Alton Starr also earned second-team honors. LSU transfer Derrick Odom was selected to the fourth team as a linebacker. Kicker Matt Reagan and return specialist D.A. Griffin represented the special teams unit on the second team.

Jackson was named as the team's Defensive MVP in 2008 after leading the team in tackles for a loss with 11.5. He also ranked second on the team in sacks with four, and was sixth on the team in total tackles with 52. Starr started all 13 games in the secondary and led the Tigers in tackles with 90. The total ranked him 17th in Conference USA last season. Starr has recorded at least one tackle in 26 consecutive career games, and he registered 71 tackles in the last nine games of the 2008 season. He suffered a knee injury in the St. Petersburg Bowl that required surgery, and was held out of spring workouts while continuing his rehabilitation. Odom had to sit out the 2008 campaign after transferring from LSU, though he was able to practice with the team. He is expected to challenge for a starting position in 2009.

Reagan is poised to end his career in the Blue and Gray as one of the top kickers in school history. Heading into the 2009 season, Reagan ranks fifth all-time in scoring by a kicker with 196 points. He also ranks fourth in career PATs made (91) and attempted (96), and is fifth all-time with 35 field goals made. Reagan led the Tigers in scoring last season with 55 points. He was 31-for-32 on PATs and converted eight of his 11th field goal attempts.

Griffin was a key component of the special teams unit in 2008. He started 11 games in the secondary and handled 23 of the team's 29 punt returns. He averaged 8.3 yards per return, ending the season ranked 53rd nationally and second in C-USA in punt return average. Griffin also made 18 kickoff returns, averaging a team-high 21.3 yards per return. He posted 100-plus all-purpose yards in the last three games of the season.