Memphis sports fans faced a challenging weekend as the Tigers football team failed to secure any selections in their respective drafts. In the 2025 NFL Draft, no Memphis players were chosen early, which was surprising for a program known for sending talent to the league.
The disappointment had already started with last year’s NBA Draft, where the Grizzlies had only three overall picks. Their time seems to be visibly going wrong, but there’s still hope for Memphis football seniors because Kobee Minor became the last player selected in the draft, offering a glimmer of hope for the team’s future.
Memphis Tigers Endure Draft Disappointment but Undrafted Hopes Remain Alive
The 2025 NFL Draft marked a challenging moment for the Memphis Tigers football program, which has historically produced 138 NFL and AFL draft picks. This year, however, the Tigers faced a dry spell, with no players initially selected during the draft, according to The Commercial Appeal.
MR. IRRELEVANT KOBEE MINOR 👏
Welcome to New England @ThekobeeMinor! pic.twitter.com/PCVPSQ9JfW
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 26, 2025
However, the narrative took an unexpected turn when Minor, a defensive back for Memphis, was selected with the final pick in the draft by the New England Patriots.
Known as “Mr. Irrelevant,” this pick traditionally garners attention, and Minor’s selection brought a glimmer of pride to the Tigers’ program. But what surprised everyone was the statement he made after his pick.
Per the team transcript, he said that he had never been one of the top guys. He added, “Really this isn’t anything new to me. I’m going to just go out here and do what I got to do, put my head down and grind, like I’ve always have.”
This statement clearly shocked many in the community, who were left wondering what had happened to the program, as they had failed to produce a quality product this time.
KEEP READING: Feel Old? NFL Drafts Its Final Player Born in the 1990s ‘Tyler Shough Becomes the Final NFL Player Drafted Born in the 1990s’
His pick likely means juniors will not get any chances as undrafted free agents. But hope still remains for the seniors. It is expected that some seniors, including Anthony Landphere, are now looking to secure opportunities as undrafted free agents. This is quite possible, as we have also seen 44 players from the program sign under the same status.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
