June 17, 2008

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Several Tiger football players have been selected to various honors teams by national publications this summer.

Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook listed wide receiver Duke Calhoun and offensive lineman Brandon Pearce on its preseason All-Conference USA Team. Pearce was part of a Tiger offensive line that led C-USA and ranked 10th nationally last season in sack denial. Calhoun, who was named to both the C-USA Coaches and Media All-Conference teams in 2007, led the Tigers with 890 yards on 62 receptions. He enters the 2008 season with an active 24-game receiving streak

Defensive lineman Clinton McDonald was a first-team pick on Phil Steele's Preseason All-C-USA Team. McDonald started all 13 games on the defensive front last season and led the Tigers in TFL with 9.5 for minus 31 yards. He closed out the season ranked fifth on the squad in total tackles with 55. Four other Tiger defenders were selected by Steele, including Tony Bell who was on the second team, and Freddie Barnett, Greg Terrell and Greg Jackson who were all listed on the third team. Offensively, Calhoun was picked to Steele's second team; Carlos Singleton and Pearce were tabbed to the third team; and Malcom Rawls was an honorable mention pick. Michael Grandberry was also an honorable mention selection at kick returner.

Memphis also has two players currently listed on award watch lists, including center Philip Beliles and quarterback Will Hudgens.

Earlier in the spring, Beliles was placed on the Rimington Award watch list, which honors the top center in the country. Beliles took over the center position in 2007 and started all 13 games for the Tigers. He worked 92 percent of the team's offensive plays and was instrumental in Memphis ranking 13th nationally in passing and 23rd in total offense.

Hudgens, who did not participate during spring workouts to play for the Tiger baseball team, was announced as one of the 26 players noted on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. In addition to success on the field, the award considers character, citizenship, scholastic achievement and strong leadership qualities. Hudgens started both the Marshall and Middle Tennessee games last season and finished the year with 52 completions for 587 yards and five touchdowns. He threw for a career-high 346 yards on 30 completions in the win over Marshall. Hudgens was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 23rd round on June 6, and is currently in Billings, Montana, where he is pitching for the Billings Mustangs, which is the Rookie affiliate of the Reds.

Memphis' Tiger Football FanFest is slated for August 23 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., at the Murphy Athletic Complex on football practice field 1. Players and coaches will be available for photos and autographs and there will be events for the kids. The Tigers will open the 2008 season the following Saturday at Ole Miss. Game time on Aug. 30 is set for 5 p.m.