Tom Schad

tom.schad@commercialappeal.com

During the opening coin toss at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday afternoon, one of SMU’s game captains will be a familiar face for many Memphis fans: Sean Tuohy Jr.

Tuohy, who goes by “SJ,” grew up in Memphis, attended Briarcrest Christian High School and is the brother of Michael Oher, whose story was portrayed in the book and subsequent 2009 movie “The Blind Side.” After spending the past four years playing basketball at Loyola University in Baltimore, he joined the SMU football team as a graduate transfer this year, with the added possibility of walking on to the basketball team this winter.

Tuohy is officially listed on SMU’s roster as a holder but fills a variety of roles in practice.

“I hold for all the field goals and stuff, which is great,” he said in a phone interview this week. “Anywhere else I can help out on scout team, kickoff team, scout team defensive back — wherever I can help out, I’m just here to be a part of the team and do what I can.”

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So how did Tuohy come to play football at SMU, after playing basketball for four years halfway across the country?

He said basketball at Loyola changed for him after the departure of coach Jimmy Patsos, who initially recruited him to the school. Tuohy considered transferring but wanted to complete his degree at Loyola. Then, earlier this year, Greyhounds coach G.G. Smith, son of Memphis coach Tubby Smith, informed Tuohy that he had oversigned a freshman class and his scholarship would not be renewed for a fifth season.

Tuohy visited Dallas on a whim in April with some friends from high school and fell in love with the city, so he started reaching out to schools in the area, but with no luck. Then SMU coach Chad Morris, whom Tuohy said is a family friend, suggested he play football.

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“(The Morrises) have a place in Destin, Florida, close to us,” Tuohy explained. “And I was talking to him about it, and he was like, ‘Why don’t you come play football for me here at SMU? You can walk on to the basketball team.’ I was like, ‘Surely you’re kidding. I haven’t played football in five years.' ’’

Tuohy was a punter and holder for two years at Briarcrest but never thought he’d have the opportunity to play Division I college football. Though basketball was always his favorite sport, he said football season was always his favorite time of the year, and he's enjoyed being a part of it.

“It’s good being around that, and the vibe our team puts out is awesome to be around,” he said. “The team’s some of the best guys I’ve been around playing sports, and I’ve been around some good dudes.”

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Meanwhile, Tuohy is working toward a master’s degree in the liberal studies department. He majored in marketing and journalism at Loyola, and isn’t sure what he’ll do or where he’ll be after his studies end. “I’m trying to keep my options open and live where my feet are,” he said.

As for the movie that will forever be linked to his name, Tuohy said he still gets questions about it wherever he goes. But he’s come to embrace the recognition.

“I think if you don’t embrace it, you get run over by it,” he said. “It’s nothing that I bring up to people, certainly. But I’m happy to be a small part of something that seems to have an impact on people. So if it helps them, that’s awesome. But I just try to kind of stay in my own lane and worry about what I can control.”