August 13, 2016 - University of Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson makes a pass during a scrimmage at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson, Tenn. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

What had long been expected became official Monday morning.

University of Memphis football coach Mike Norvell announced after practice that junior Riley Ferguson has been named the starting quarterback for the team’s opener against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 3.

Norvell said he made the decision and spoke with all four quarterbacks Sunday night, after reviewing film of the Tigers’ final preseason scrimmage Saturday.

“I wanted to give everybody an opportunity to go out there and have a couple scrimmages, be able to get in the Liberty Bowl and see how guys responded,” Norvell said. “Even though they all played pretty well, I thought Riley really separated himself and put himself in a position to be our starter.”

Ferguson started the spring game and has taken the majority of first-team repetitions throughout fall camp while competing with redshirt senior Jason Stewart, redshirt freshman Brady Davis and freshman David Moore. All along, the junior-college transfer has spoken about the importance of preparing as if he were the starter.

Now, he has the title to go along with it.

“It’s just a blessing,” Ferguson said. “I’m not really worried about being named the starting quarterback. I’m just worried about the things I can do to make this team better.”

A native of Matthews, North Carolina, Ferguson was a highly-touted recruit out of high school, signing with Tennessee despite offers from Alabama and Notre Dame, among others. He left Tennessee in the summer of 2014 and later landed at Coffeyville Community College, where he completed 225 of 332 passes for 2,942 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.

When Norvell was hired in early December, Ferguson became one of his first junior-college recruits. According to 247 Sports, he was the No. 2 ranked junior-college quarterback prospect in the class.

“Riley’s got a great skill set,” Norvell said. “He’s a guy that’s got a strong arm. He’s a very intelligent football player. And he plays with extreme accuracy. That’s something I think is definitely one of his strengths. He’s a guy that has some elusiveness about him and can extend plays.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Long said Ferguson has been impressive since he arrived at Memphis. He walked into the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in January weighing 175 pounds — “and that’s being generous,” Long added — and has since bulked up to 205. Norvell said that during summer strength and conditioning workouts, Ferguson would work out at 6 a.m. with his position group, then often stick around for the other lifting groups to encourage and support his teammates.

“He’s really been showing some great leadership,” Long said. “He has a really good understanding of the offense, getting our protections where they need to be, our run game where it needs to be. He just has a good feel for the game.”

Ferguson said being named the starter will not change his mindset, but it will help in some ways. He will now be able to take repetitions exclusively with the first unit, building chemistry with the wide receivers and running backs. His title will also allow him to step into an even larger leadership role, he said.

“I just have to keep coming out and showing my work ethic every day,” Ferguson said. “Now that guys know my ability on the field and my work ethic, I can go out and start leading a little bit more vocally. That will help as well.”

As for the other quarterbacks, Norvell said he thought Stewart had a “remarkable camp,” especially in recent days, and indicated that he will be the primary backup entering the season. “He knows that he’s probably going to be one play away (from needing to enter the game),” Norvell said. The head coach also said Moore, a true freshman, has “put himself in the conversation” and “could definitely help us here this season.”

Davis, meanwhile, sustained a knee injury in Saturday’s scrimmage and posted on Twitter that he underwent an MRI exam Monday morning. Norvell said he should have an update on Davis’ condition in the coming days.

Even though Ferguson has been named the starter for the season-opener, Norvell and Long hope to continue to foster competition at the position — and across the board.

“(Ferguson) has to hold that standard. He represents all of us out there,” Long said. “He has to win the job every day to keep it.”

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