2026 University of Memphis Depth Chart

Memphis enters 2026 under first-year head coach Charles Huff facing a complete roster overhaul — every primary starter from the 2025 squad is gone, including all-time passer Seth Henigan (departed in 2025) and 2025 starter Brendon Lewis (out of eligibility), along with both backup QBs (AJ Hill to Arkansas, Arrington Maiden to James Madison). The new QB room hinges on a competition between Air Noland and Marcus Stokes. Noland — a former Ohio State/South Carolina transfer and ex-4-star recruit — is the highest-upside player Huff targeted as his “elite talent to build around,” with three years of eligibility remaining despite having barely thrown a college pass. Stokes, the West Florida transfer and 2025 Gulf South Conference OPOY who threw for 3,200+ yards and 30 touchdowns in DII, brings actual starting seasoning Noland simply doesn’t have. It’s a true competition, and Noland is projected as QB1 on recruiting pedigree and Huff’s vision, but Stokes is the safer floor option. Denzel Gardner, who followed Huff from Southern Miss, slots in as the developmental QB3.