2024 AAC Kickoff: Spotlight Shines on Players on Day 1

This week marks the beginning of the American Athletic Conference Kickoff. The media days events began today in Arlington, Texas. The first day was dedicated to the players, featuring interesting quotes, insights, photo shoots and EA Sports College Football 25. Day 2 (July 23) will feature the coaches' news conferences along with the release of the 2024 AAC preseason media poll.

Excitement and elation have been building up about the AAC, and for good reason. The conference participated in realignment, adding Army as a football-only member and losing SMU to the Atlantic Coast Conference. In addition to adding a school, the Group of 5 conference brought in some talented transfers, such as former USC wide receiver Mario Williams. The first day of the AAC Kickoff was filled with excitement for the players and fans, with opportunities for the public to engage in the media day festivities.

AAC Media Days, Day 1

The beginning of the AAC Kickoff was different from many other conferences' media days. At the Loews Arlington, the league opted for a fan-centered approach rather than focusing strictly on news and media.

Throughout the day, each team was scheduled a time to be out in the Monument Ballroom foyer. There, they would find a setup to play the new hit EA College Football 25 game. Fans were able to play against the players, and the players could play against each other. In fact, Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan had a friendly match with the commissioner of the AAC, Tim Pernetti.

The AAC also had a vertical jump challenge station, where fans and players could see how they stacked up against each other. Another fan attraction was a life-sized College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, available for everyone to take pictures with. Then, all the teams began their media photo shoots in full uniform. For the Kickoff, there were 28 players representing the AAC, in addition to all the coaches.

AAC Media Days Team Representatives

UAB Blazers

Representing the UAB Blazers is coach Trent Dilfer. The former NFL All-Pro QB is entering his second year as the Blazers' coach and looks to improve on his 4-8 season from last year. Joining coach Dilfer are QB Jacob Zeno and LB Michael Moore.

FAU Owls

Last season, FAU finished with a 4-8 record, losing their last four games. Coach Tom Herman hopes things will be different this year as he starts his second season at FAU. Herman brought OL Federico Maranges and LB Jackson Ambush to represent the school at the AAC Kickoff.

Army Black Knights

The newcomers of the AAC are in town, with coach Jeff Monken leading the charge. Joining him in Arlington are QB Bryson Daily and safety Max DiDomenico. As it is their first time at an AAC media days event, all eyes will be on how Army fits into the conference this season.

Tulane Green Wave

Coach Jon Sumrall is in attendance for the 2024 AAC Kickoff, marking his first media day as the coach at Tulane. Previously the coach at Troy, Sumrall returns to Tulane, where he had stints as a linebacker and defensive line coach. Accompanying him to Arlington are offensive lineman Vincent Murphy and defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins.

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

Coach Kevin Wilson, also preparing for his second season, made an appearance at the AAC Kickoff. Tulsa finished with a 4-8 record last season and hopes to improve this season in the new-look AAC. Accompanying Wilson are WR Kamdyn Benjamin and running back Anthony Watkins.

Memphis Tigers

The Tigers' Ryan Silverfield leads the team into the Kickoff. The Tigers come off of an impressive season where they posted a 10-3 record, but the top of the conference was highly competitive. This left Memphis finishing fourth in the conference, and the Tigers no doubt want the AAC title this year. Henigan and LB Chandler Martin will be the face of that charge, much like they are at the AAC Kickoff.

Rice Owls

Representing Rice is coach Mike Bloomgren. Last year, Rice finished with a record of 6-7, leaving them as sixth in the conference. Joining coach Bloomgren at the 2024 AAC Kickoff is RB Dean Connors and safety Gabriel Taylor.

South Florida Bulls

The Bulls' coach Alex Golesh makes the trip to Arlington. USF finished just above Rice last season at fifth with a record of 7-6. The players representing the Bulls at the AAC Kickoff are QB Byrum Brown and cornerback Ben Knox.

East Carolina Pirates

Coach of the Pirates Mike Houston is in attendance for East Carolina. The Pirates struggled last season, finishing last in the conference with a record of 2-10. Houston has been the coach for East Carolina since 2019, and he aims to bounce his team back this year. The players in Arlington with coach Houston are RB Rahjai Harris and CB Shavon Revel.

Temple Owls

Stan Drayton, the coach of the Owls, is in Arlington for the big kickoff of the AAC. The Owls had a disappointing season as well last year, finishing just above the Pirates with a 3-9 record. Joining Drayton is WR Dante Wright and DL Demerick Morris.

UTSA Roadrunners

The Roadrunners sent coach Jeff Traylor to face the media for UTSA. Last season, UTSA finished third behind SMU and Tulane, posting a 9-4 record. The Roadrunners were the only team with any tight end representation at the AAC Kickoff with Oscar Cardenas being the solo act. LB Jamal Ligon joined Cardenas and Traylor as well.

Charlotte 49ers

Coach Biff Poggi did not make the trip to Arlington, but the 49ers are represent well with associate coach Tim Brewster. Posting a 3-9 record only ahead of Temple and East Carolina, the 49ers hope this year looks a lot different. The players representing the 49ers are QB Max Brown and DB Dontae Balfour.

Navy Midshipmen

Coach Brian Newberry leads the team to interact with the media at the AAC Kickoff event. Navy finished at the middle of the pack last year, posting a 5-7 record. Joining Newberry in Arlington are fullback Daba Fofan and LB Colin Ramos

North Texas Mean Green

Eric Morris, the coach at North Texas, represents the team at media days. Last season, the Mean Green finished just behind the Navy Midshipmen with a record of 5-7 as well. Along with coach Morris, CB Ridge Texada and WR Damon Ward Jr represent the Mean Green.

Day 2 of the AAC Kickoff continues on July 23. To hear about what the commissioner, coaches and players have to say about this upcoming season, as well as the reveal of the 2024 AAC Preseason Media poll, make sure to tune in here at College Football Dawgs.