Memphis football spring scrimmage: Quarterback competition, Barry Switzer's grandson scores and more

FRANKLIN – Memphis football didn’t expect a clean first scrimmage on Saturday. But for fans who drove to Centennial High School, it was a good show of where the Tigers stand halfway through spring practice.

The Tigers kept things simple as the competition between quarterbacks Grant Gunnell and Seth Henigan took center stage. The defense also got its first crack at running new coordinator Matt Barnes’ scheme

Here are five takeaways from the only time fans will see the Tigers before the Friday Night Stripes spring game April 22.

Grading the quarterbacks

Henigan and Gunnell each led six drives, with Henigan starting the practice and Gunnell finishing it. Henigan struggled early, including on some overthrows on third down. Gunnell also didn’t lead any scores on his first three drives, including one negated by a fourth down, goal-line stand.

Credit both quarterbacks being under pressure early but Gunnell was sharper. He mostly played against the second-team defense but he was more accurate and able to keep drives going by throwing downfield. In his only series against the first-team defense, he led a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Marcayll Jones.

Gunnell led three scoring drives while Henigan led two, including a screen pass that Marquavius Weaver turned into a long touchdown. Henigan could’ve had a third but David Kemp’s field goal was blocked by Greg Rubin.

One scrimmage won’t decide a race that’s likely extending into August. Gunnell and Henigan led scoring drives on their final series as another reminder neither will be yielding ground anytime soon.

Asa Martin leads running backs

Asa Martin has finished strong the past two seasons and he kept that momentum going, showing off both his running and pass catching.

The senior added a touchdown run near the end of practice on a drive that he helped set up with a catch-and-run. Martin mostly rotated carries with Brandon Thomas, Rodrigues Clark and Marquavius Weaver, but he had some of the best runs in a scrimmage that lacked many big plays.

The best run of the day, however, went to freshman JP Martin, who made a quick move to freeze a defender before racing down the left sideline for a touchdown.

Familiar name finds end zone

The first touchdown pass on the day wasn’t from Henigan or Gunnell. It was Tevin Carter finding fellow freshman Zach Switzer open down the right side and Switzer racing away untouched to the end zone.

Switzer, the grandson of former Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer, also caught two passes on the Tigers’ final scoring drive. His second catch came with a vicious tackle by Tyrell Raby, but Switzer showed toughness getting back up and into formation.

Javon Ivory, Eddie Lewis and Marcayll Jones had most of the first-team reps at receiver. Taylor had several great catches and Eric Rivers caught the scrimmage's final score. But the big takeaway was there will be more collective effort to fill Calvin Austin III’s shoes than rely on a main option.

Defense gets physical early

Martin’s touchdown helped offset a day where he had a role in two fumbles that the Tigers’ third-team defense recovered. Andrew Jones also returned an interception off Hunter Hulsey for a touchdown.

The defense set a tone by forcing stops on third and fourth down on the first four series. Given how bad Memphis was on third-down defense last year, defensive back Quindell Johnson said it's a positive sign as the group gets used to Barnes' scheme.

“That’s a big step in the right direction as far as compared to last year. Just taking those small steps," Johnson said. "We have things that we need to work on still but we’re going to keep taking that one step in the right direction.”

Key absences

Rodney Owens returned to the Nashville area but the senior defensive back didn’t play due to a minor injury.

Senior receiver Gabriel Rogers didn’t participate and wasn’t seen on the sidelines. Sophomore running back Jeyvon Ducker was dressed but didn’t play.

Coach Ryan Silverfield said he wanted to hold out several players who might’ve been good to practice but risked further injury in a scrimmage. Ducker participated in practice Tuesday during portions available to the media.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What we learned from Memphis football scrimmage about quarterbacks