Seth Henigan
Seth Henigan (born March 10, 2003) is an American football quarterback known for his standout college career with the Memphis Tigers, where he amassed over 14,000 passing yards and 104 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the program's most prolific passers.[1][2] After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent but was released from their practice squad in September 2025, leaving him as a free agent seeking his first professional roster spot as of November 20, 2025.[3][4] Henigan was born and raised in Denton, Texas, where he attended Denton Ryan High School and played under his father, Dave Henigan, the team's head coach.[5] As a three-year starter, he led the Raiders to a 39–2 record, including an undefeated 2020 season that culminated in a Texas 5A Division I state championship.[6] Over his high school career, Henigan threw for 7,234 yards and 79 touchdowns, earning District 4-5A-I Co-Offensive MVP honors in 2019 as a junior.[7] A three-star recruit, he committed to Memphis in April 2020, drawn to the program's up-tempo offense that aligned with his skills.[7] At Memphis, Henigan redshirted in 2020 before emerging as the Tigers' starting quarterback in 2021, where he earned FWAA Freshman All-America honors after throwing for 3,322 yards and 25 touchdowns in 11 games.[8] Over four seasons (2021–2024), he appeared in 50 games, completing 1,147 of 1,791 passes for 14,266 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions, while adding 898 rushing yards and 10 scores—figures that rank him first in program history for passing yards and touchdowns since joining the FBS in 1973.[2] In 2024, his senior year, Henigan passed for 3,502 yards and 25 touchdowns, ranking 12th nationally in passing yards and earning third-team All-American Athletic Conference honors, along with multiple AAC Offensive Player of the Week awards.[5] He received the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Male Amateur Athlete of the Year award in 2025 for his 2024 performance and was named Offensive MVP of the Frisco Bowl, where Memphis defeated West Virginia 42–37 to cap an 11-win season.[5] Henigan participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and Reese's Senior Bowl, showcasing his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame and arm strength in pre-draft workouts.[9] Entering the professional ranks, Henigan signed a three-year rookie contract with the Jaguars on April 28, 2025, following the draft.[10] He competed in preseason games but was waived during final cuts and re-signed to the practice squad on August 27, 2025.[3] The Jaguars released him again on September 29, 2025, after which he worked out for the Cleveland Browns in October but remains unsigned as of November 20, 2025.[4][11]Early life
Family background
Seth Henigan was born on March 10, 2003, in Denton, Texas.[12] Growing up in a family deeply rooted in football, he was the middle child among three brothers, with an older brother named Ian and a younger brother named Quin.[13] This sibling dynamic created a highly competitive household environment, where sports such as basketball and football were central to daily life and family interactions.[14] Henigan's family carried a strong football legacy, particularly through his grandfather, Mike Henigan, who played as a linebacker for Northern Illinois University and contributed to the team's undefeated national championship in the College Division during the 1963 season.[15] His father, Dave Henigan, further embedded football into the family's identity as the head coach at Denton Ryan High School, where the family resided and where Dave had also played the sport himself.[16] This paternal influence provided Seth with constant immersion in the game from an early age, reinforced by his mother's support, Laurie, who along with Dave traveled extensively to attend his games throughout his career.[13] The Henigan family's traditions, combined with the intense culture of Texas high school football, exposed Seth to the sport's rigors and strategies long before his own playing days began, shaping his foundational understanding and passion for the game.[16]High school career
Seth Henigan attended Denton Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, where he played quarterback under his father, Dave Henigan, the team's head coach. As a three-year starter from 2018 to 2020, he compiled a 44-2 record, showcasing strong leadership and accuracy in the pocket.[17][7] In his sophomore year of 2018, Henigan threw for 1,979 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with 2 interceptions on 125-of-184 completions.[18] During his junior year in 2019, Henigan threw for 2,931 passing yards and 35 touchdowns with 8 interceptions, guiding the Raiders to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the Texas 5A Division I state championship game, where they finished as runners-up after a 28-22 loss to Alvin Shadow Creek. In his senior season of 2020, amid a COVID-19-adjusted schedule, he led Denton Ryan to an unbeaten 14-0 campaign, passing for 3,828 yards and 42 touchdowns on 237-of-352 completions with 8 interceptions, while also rushing for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns on 62 carries. The Raiders capped the year by defeating Cedar Park 59-14 to claim the Texas 5A Division I state championship, their first title since 2002.[18][19][20] Henigan's performances earned him significant recognition, including selection to the Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State first team as one of two starting quarterbacks and Offensive MVP honors in the 2020 state championship game for his 264 passing yards and four touchdowns. He had previously been named District 4-5A-I Co-Offensive MVP as a junior in 2019. Despite his on-field success, Henigan was a three-star recruit who received offers from programs including Houston, Arizona, and Louisiana Tech before committing to the University of Memphis on April 6, 2020.[21][22][7][23]College career
2021 season
Henigan entered the 2021 season as a true freshman and secured the starting quarterback role during fall camp, marking the first time a true freshman had started a season opener in University of Memphis program history.[24] His high school experience at Denton Ryan High School, where he threw for over 3,800 yards as a senior, facilitated a smooth transition to college-level play.[25] In 11 games—all starts—Henigan passed for 3,322 yards, completing 235 of 393 attempts (59.8%) with 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, ranking 11th nationally in passing yards per game (302.0).[2] He added 147 rushing yards on 80 carries, providing mobility in Memphis's spread offense.[26] These contributions helped the Tigers achieve a 6-6 regular-season record and secure a spot in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, where they fell to Arkansas 55-43.[27] Henigan's freshman campaign featured several high-output games that showcased his arm strength and poise under pressure. In his debut against Nicholls State, he threw for 265 yards and 1 touchdown in a 42-17 victory.[26] He eclipsed 400 passing yards twice, first with 417 yards and a career-high 5 touchdowns in a 55-50 win over Arkansas State, and later with 463 yards against Tulsa in a 29-35 defeat.[26] These performances highlighted his ability to distribute the ball effectively to receivers like Calvin Austin III, who benefited from Henigan's accuracy on deep throws. For his efforts, Henigan earned FWAA Freshman All-America honors and fourth-team All-AAC recognition from Phil Steele Publications.[28]2022 season
Henigan built on his freshman-year experience by starting all 13 games in 2022, completing 285 of 445 passes for 3,559 yards with 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. His performance showed improved consistency, with a 64.1% completion rate, though the Tigers' offense faced tougher competition in the American Athletic Conference.[2] The Memphis Tigers finished the regular season with a 7-6 record (3-5 in conference play), securing a berth in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.[29] In the bowl game against Utah State, Henigan threw for 284 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning MVP honors in a 38-10 victory that marked the program's first bowl win since 2019.[30] Henigan delivered several standout performances during the season, including a career-high 415 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in a 37-13 season-opening win over Navy. He also threw for 407 yards in a high-scoring 47-45 four-overtime loss to East Carolina, showcasing his ability to rally the offense in extended games.[31] Demonstrating added mobility as a dual-threat quarterback, Henigan rushed 146 times for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, providing a new dimension to Memphis' attack and contributing to key short-yardage situations.[2] Following the season, amid speculation about entering the transfer portal, Henigan affirmed his commitment to return to Memphis for his junior year, citing his loyalty to the program and coaching staff.[32]2023 season
In his junior season, Seth Henigan served as the starting quarterback for the Memphis Tigers, appearing in all 13 games and demonstrating consistent leadership despite a midseason injury scare to his non-throwing shoulder during a November 4 win over South Florida. He completed 318 of 476 passes for 3,883 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, while adding 274 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns on 94 carries, contributing to a balanced offensive attack that averaged 39.4 points per game.[33][34][35] The Tigers finished the year with a 10-3 overall record and 6-2 mark in the American Athletic Conference, securing third place in the league standings behind Tulane and SMU, with losses to power-conference opponents Missouri and Boise State highlighting early challenges before a strong late-season surge. Memphis capped the campaign with a 36-26 victory over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 29, where Henigan threw for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns while adding a rushing score, marking the program's first 10-win season since 2019 and first bowl win since 2022.[36][37][38] Key performances underscored Henigan's growth, including a career-high 402 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in a narrow 38-34 loss to eventual AAC champion SMU on November 18, and 4 touchdown passes against Temple in a 45-21 regular-season finale win. His dual-threat ability proved vital in high-scoring affairs, such as the 59-50 thriller over South Florida, where he threw for 349 yards and 4 scores before the injury. Henigan's loyalty to the Memphis program remained evident, as he opted to return for his senior year rather than enter the transfer portal following the 2022 season.[33][39] Henigan earned second-team All-AAC honors as the conference's leading passer in yards (3,883) and touchdowns (32), reflecting his role in elevating the Tigers' offense amid defensive inconsistencies that allowed 28.5 points per game. Off the field, he graduated in December 2023 with a degree in management from the University of Memphis' Fogelman College of Business and Economics.[40][34][41]2024 season
In his senior and final season at Memphis, Seth Henigan started all 13 games, completing 309 of 477 passes for 3,502 yards with 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, extending his streak of full seasons as the Tigers' primary quarterback to four.[5] His efficiency stood out, as he maintained the lowest interception rate (under 2%) among active FBS quarterbacks, reflecting a career-long emphasis on ball security that saw him throw just 31 interceptions over more than 1,800 attempts.[2] Henigan also delivered one 400-yard performance against UTSA, showcasing his ability to elevate the offense in high-volume passing scenarios.[5] Under Henigan's leadership, the Memphis Tigers achieved an 11-2 record, securing a share of the AAC championship and concluding the year with a 42-37 win over West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl.[42] The victory highlighted the team's balanced attack, with Henigan's precise decision-making complementing a strong ground game and defensive effort to claim bowl honors for the fourth time in five seasons. His performance in Frisco underscored his growth into a record-setting leader, as he orchestrated key scoring drives that sealed the program's first 11-win season.[43] Henigan shattered multiple Memphis passing records during the year, surpassing 14,000 career yards, 104 touchdowns, and 1,100 completions to cement his legacy as the program's most prolific quarterback; remarkably, he remained the only FBS signal-caller to start every game over four seasons at a single school.[5] These milestones built on his prior seasons' foundation, emphasizing consistency and program loyalty in an era of frequent transfers. For his efforts, Henigan earned second-team All-AAC honors and was recognized as the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Amateur Athlete of the Year.[44][45] Following the Frisco Bowl, Henigan announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft in January 2025, concluding a collegiate career defined by durability and production.[1]Career statistics
Seth Henigan concluded his college career at Memphis with impressive statistical totals, establishing himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in program history. Over four seasons from 2021 to 2024, he appeared in 50 games, amassing 14,266 passing yards and 104 passing touchdowns while throwing just 31 interceptions on 1,791 attempts, reflecting a low interception rate of 1.7%.[2]Passing Statistics
Henigan's annual and career passing stats highlight his consistency and efficiency, with a career passer rating of 146.7. The following table summarizes his performance:| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 235 | 393 | 3,322 | 25 | 8 | 147.7 |
| 2022 | 13 | 285 | 445 | 3,559 | 22 | 8 | 143.9 |
| 2023 | 13 | 318 | 476 | 3,883 | 32 | 9 | 153.7 |
| 2024 | 13 | 309 | 477 | 3,502 | 25 | 6 | 141.2 |
| Career | 50 | 1,147 | 1,791 | 14,266 | 104 | 31 | 146.7 |
Rushing Statistics
As a dual-threat quarterback, Henigan contributed 898 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 400 carries over his career, adding a significant dimension to Memphis's offense.[2]| Year | Games | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 80 | 147 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 146 | 287 | 4 |
| 2023 | 13 | 94 | 274 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 | 80 | 190 | 1 |
| Career | 50 | 400 | 898 | 10 |
Total Offense
Henigan's combined passing and rushing production resulted in 15,164 total offensive yards over 50 games, averaging 303.3 yards per game and underscoring his role as the focal point of Memphis's attack.[2]| Year | Total Yards | Yards per Game |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,469 | 315.4 |
| 2022 | 3,846 | 295.8 |
| 2023 | 4,157 | 319.8 |
| 2024 | 3,692 | 283.9 |
| Career | 15,164 | 303.3 |