The American Athletic Conference (AAC) had five players selected during the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft picks included Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt and wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, and Temple linebacker Jordan Magee.
Change has come to the conference with SMU departing for the ACC. The new-look AAC will hold its annual media days on July 22 and July 23. New talents are emerging and prepared for the spotlight. We’ve identified the 10 overall talents with the most upside to produce this campaign.
Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis
Memphis Tigers starting quarterback Seth Henigan oversaw the AAC's most explosive offense last season, one that scored a conference-leading 39.4 points per game. Henigan returns for his fourth season as the program's starting QB after throwing an FBS fourth-best 3,883 passing yards last year. Continuity at quarterback could help Memphis win the AAC Championship.
Roc Taylor, WR, Memphis
Henigan's go-to target Roc Taylor returns for another year. The Oxford, Alabama native produced 69 receptions for 1,083 yards and four touchdowns last season. The big-bodied Taylor is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and should enjoy another 1,000-yard campaign in 2024.
Patrick Jenkins, DT, Tulane
Tulane defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins may be the best defensive player in the conference. Jenkins was extremely productive last season, racking up 35 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The Louisiana native is a load up the middle.
Andreas Keaton, SAF, Temple
In need of playmakers on defense, Temple hit the transfer portal. They lured former Western Carolina safety Andreas Keaton, who should be a big-time playmaker this season. The rocked-up Keaton (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) has 184 tackles with five interceptions and 19 pass breakups in three years.
Chad Lindberg, OT, Rice
Rice had the highest-drafted player in the conference in Luke McCaffrey during the 2024 draft. They could repeat that bragging right in 2025 via Chad Lindberg, an incoming offensive tackle transfer from Georgia. Lindberg was a four-star prospect in the class of 2020 and appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs as a rotational player last season.
Donyai Taylor, LB, UTSA
UTSA linebacker Donyai Taylor is a breakout candidate this season. Taylor earned second-team All-AAC honors last year after recording 46 tackles, two sacks, and an interception for the Roadrunners. He's a sideline-to-sideline 'backer that covers every blade of grass.
Kamdyn Benjamin, WR, Tulsa
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Kamdyn Benjamin is an undersized ball of energy. Benjamin averaged an explosive 15.5 yards per catch last season, totaling 47 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns. He'll continue making game-changing plays for the Golden Hurricanes.
Ty Thompson, QB, Tulane
Replacing Michael Pratt will be no easy task for the Green Wave, but Ty Thompson is an intriguing get for the program. Thompson was once at Oregon, but couldn't beat Bo Nix for the starting job and decided to leave Eugene this offseason with Dillon Gabriel coming in. He possesses the required tools and upside to seize his opportunity.
Amare Thomas, WR, UAB
The UAB Blazers lost their top receiver, Tejhaun Palmer, to the 2024 NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals' sixth-round pick. Amare Thomas, who led the program in receptions last season with 53, will be tasked with carrying an even larger workload this season.
E.J. Warner, QB, Rice
Kurt Warner's son E.J. Warner transferred to Rice from Temple to take over at quarterback. Warner was decent at Temple, throwing for 23 touchdowns and 3,076 yards last season. Expectations will be higher in 2024.