Mike Norvell Announces First Memphis Recruiting Class

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Mike Norvell Announces First Memphis Recruiting Class

Feb 03, 2016 | Football

Tigers announce 21 newcomers for 2016 season.

By: Tammy DeGroff

MEMPHIS – Memphis football coach Mike Norvell announced his first University of Memphis signing class on Wednesday. The list of signees with a link to their online bios is below:

VIDEO: Coach Norvell Press Conference | Coach Norvell Interview

Coach Dickey Interview | Coach Ball Interview
Coach Johnson Interview | Coach Lanning Interview
Coach Long Interview | Coach Lorig Interview
Coach Randolph Inteview | Coach Silverfield Interview
Coach Woodson Interview

Nehemiah Augustus (LB, 6-0, 205, Patterson, La./Patterson HS)
Video: Highlights
All-District 8-3A first team selection on both offense (return specialist) and defense (defensive back) … Also named a 9-3A All state honoree … Named The Advertiser region defensive MVP … Played multiple positions – including safety, outside linebacker, and wide receiver – in high school for Coach Chad Blanchard and started as a freshman … Helped Patterson High School to a 9-3 overall record, including a 6-0 mark in region play … Helped lead the Lumberjacks to the No. 6 spot in Louisiana Class 3A rankings and a Class 3A second-round playoff appearance … Returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown as a senior … Ranked No. 31 in the NOLA.com 2016 Nifty 5 … Also plays basketball for Patterson High School.

Jahod Booker (WR, 5-11, 185, Montgomery, Ala./Park Cross HS)
Video: Highlights
Helped Park Cross High School to an 8-3 record in 2015 … In two seasons with the Thunderbirds, grabbed 55 catches for 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns under Coach Smitty Grider … Helped lead the Thunderbirds to a Class 6A playoff appearance his senior season, falling in the first round … The Class 6A playoff berth came in Park Cross High School's second season of playing football … As a junior in 2014, caught 21 passes for a team-high 572 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns … A 2014 Montgomery Advertiser All-Metro selection … Also a sprinter on the track and field team and qualified for the 2015 6A Alabama state championships in the 200 meters, finishing 11^th … Also had offers from Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Samford and Nevada.

* Jonathan Cook (S, 6-0, 198, Daphne, Ala./Spanish Fort/Garden City CC)
Video: Highlights
Enrolled at Memphis in January of 2016 … Had 61 tackles, including 5.5 TFL, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a sophomore at Garden City Community College in 2015 … Played for Coach Jeff Sims at Garden City Community College … Intercepted two passes and had six pass breakups in 2015 … His 47 solo stops ranked fourth on the team, while his 61 total tackles ranked sixth … Also was Garden City's primary kickoff and punt returner … Played at the University of Alabama in 2013 and 2014 … Redshirted in 2013 and saw limited playing time in 2014 … Prior to enrolling at Alabama, played his prep career for Coach Mark Freeman at Spanish Fort High School … Made 81 tackles with seven interceptions and 21 pass breakups as a senior in 2012 … Had 65 tackles with six interceptions as a junior … A 2012 Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) All-State first team selection … Also named to the 2012 ASWA Super 12 Team … Selected the 2012 Alabama Class 5A Back of the Year … Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.

Sean Dykes (WR, 6-1, 210, Manvel, Texas/Manvel HS)
Video: Highlights
Named all-offense first team and earned All-District 22-6A honors as a senior while playing for Coach Kirk Martin … As a senior, helped lead the Mavericks to an 11-3 overall record and an appearance in UIL state playoff quarterfinals … In three years on the varsity roster, caught 83 passes for 1,454 yards and 29 touchdowns, including 14 scores his senior campaign … Led Mavericks in receptions (37), receiving yards (658) and touchdown receptions (14) … Also ran the ball three times for 61 yards as a senior … Holds a single game record of eight catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns in a game … Ranked the No. 21 football recruit in the Greater Houston area by the Houston Chronicle … Is also a three-year letterwinner on the basketball team at Manvel … Played on the Team Texas Elite AAU basketball team for coaches Eric King and T.J. Ford … Dykes received Tournament MVP honors at the 7v7 IMG Championships.

* Riley Ferguson (QB, 6-4, 190, Matthews, N.C./Butler HS/Coffeyville CC)
Video: Highlights
Enrolled at Memphis in January of 2016 … ESPN.com listed Ferguson's transfer to Memphis among the top 10 (ninth) most important transfers for the 2016 season … Ranked third among National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) quarterbacks in 2015, averaging 326.9 yards per game … Played for Coach Aaron Flores at Coffeyville Community College … Completed 225-of-332 passes for 2,942 yards and 35 touchdowns … Ranked in the top 10 in the NJCAA in completions (third), attempts (sixth), and completion percentage (67.8 for fourth) … His total passing yards (sixth) and touchdowns (fourth) also ranked among the best in junior college … A 2015 NJCAA All-America honorable mention pick … Named NJCAA All-Region VI first team offense and All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) first team quarterback in 2015 … Enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 2013, but suffered a leg injury and redshirted his freshman season … Played prep ball at Butler High School for Coach Brian Hales … Threw for over 8,000 yards in his three seasons as a varsity starter … Led Bulldogs to North Carolina Class 4AA state titles in 2010 and 2012 … Earned state championship game MVP honors in 2012 after throwing for 301 yards and five touchdowns … Had 2,173 yards passing and 25 touchdowns in nine games as a senior … Completed 66 percent of his passes (184-of-279) for 3,345 yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior … Also threw for 2,600 yards and 21 scores during his sophomore season … Participated in the 2012 Elite 11 finals in Redondo Beach, Calif. … A 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl nominee … Named to the 2011 ESPNHS All-State team.

Jacobi Francis (CB, 5-9, 160, Covington, Ga./Newton HS)
Video: Highlights
Two-year varsity performer for Newton High School ... Helped lead Newton High School to a combined 16-7 record over his final two seasons … Rams went 7-4 in 2014 and 9-3 in 2015 … Had over 50 total tackles and two interceptions in his two seasons … The 2015 Rams won the Georgia Region 2-AAAAAA championship for the first time since 1987 … Newton High School earned a postseason berth and advanced to the Georgia state Class AAAAAA playoff second round … Earned 2015 All-Newton Country honorable mention distinction.

* Harneet Gill (OL, 6-7, 265, St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell HS/Butler CC)
Video: Highlights
Enrolled at Memphis in January of 2016 … Helped Butler Community College to a 9-2 overall record and a No. 5 ranking in the final 2015 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll … Blocked for an offense that scored 445 points and ranked in the top-10 in scoring average … The Grizzlies scored 36 rushing touchdowns, which ranked third nationally … Played his freshman season at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. … Began 2014 at tight end for the Brahmas, but moved to the defensive line near the end of the season … Posted nine tackles, one sack and 2.5 TFL in three games for the Brahmas … Played prep ball at Francis Howell High School for Coach Bryan Koch … A 2011 All-Gateway Athletic Conference (GAC) South first team honoree … Suffered a Lisfranc fracture (foot injury) as a senior and missed his final prep season … Member of the University of Missouri 2013 recruiting class … Enrolled part time at Missouri, but withdrew to focus on rehabbing his injury.

Tim Hart (LB, 6-1, 220, Memphis, Tenn./MUS)
Video: Highlights
Ranked the No. 19 recruit in Tennessee by both Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Played for Coach Bobby Alston … Helped lead the Owls to a 7-4 overall record and a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II Class AA playoff quarterfinal appearance … Appeared in eight of 12 games in 2015, missing four due to injury … Despite missing four games, still finished third on the team with 77 tackles to go along with 10 TFL and three sacks … Served as a team captain his senior season … Earned 2015 Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) All-State Division II-AA honors at his linebacker position … Played in the 2016 Offense-Defense All-American Senior Bowl in Florida in January of 2016 … Also named to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game for the Red team … Also had offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tennessee.

* Darrell Henderson (RB, 5-9, 175, Batesville, Miss./South Panola HS)
Video: Highlights
Enrolled at Memphis in January of 2016 … A 2014 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection … Named the 2014 state of Mississippi Gatorade Football Player of the Year … Also honored as the 2014 Best of MS Preps Player of the Year … A 2014 Parade magazine All-America honorable mention pick … Played for Coach Lance Pogue … For his career, ran for 5,801 yards, which is the eighth-most rushing yards in the state of Mississippi high school football history … Had 847 career carries … Posted career rushing averages of 109.5 yards per game and 6.8 yards per carry … Scored 68 career rushing touchdowns … Also caught 39 passes for 559 yards and seven scores in his career … Had 75 career touchdowns (68 rushing/7 receiving) … As a senior, rushed for 2,253 yards and 32 touchdowns … Helped lead South Panola High School to the state of Mississippi Class 6A championship and a No. 7 national ranking in 2014 … Rushed for 2,024 yards as a junior in 2013.

Hunter Hill (WR, 5-11, 184, Memphis, Tenn./Briarcrest HS)
Video: Highlights
Multi-position player for Coach Brian Stewart at Briarcrest High School … Rushed 116 times for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Had three 100-yard games in 2015 … Caught 12 passes for 113 yards … Also appeared at quarterback, completing 37 passes for 640 yards and four touchdowns … Worked on special teams on both punt and kickoff return units … Returned eight kickoffs for 141 yards and seven punt returns for 100 yards in 2015 … As a junior in 2014, had a 21.9 punt return average and recorded two punt returns for touchdowns … Also played baseball at Briarcrest … Also had offers from Army and Harvard.

Jacoby Hill (DE, 6-3, 211, Atlanta, Ga./Carver HS)
Video: Highlights
Played two seasons of varsity football for Coach Darren Myles at Carver High School … In his two seasons, compiled 102 total tackles (65 solo stops), 48 TFL and 15 sacks (80 yards) … Also had four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … A 2015 Georgia Class AAAAA All-State selection and an Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Metro pick … Also named to the 2015 All-City/South Fulton Team … Had 61 total tackles, including 43 solo hits, and forced two fumbles as a senior … Helped the Panthers to a 7-4 record and a second-straight Georgia Class AAAAA playoff appearance in 2015 … As a junior, had 41 tackles and double-digit sacks … Helped lead Carver High School to an 8-3 record and a Georgia Class 5A playoff first-round appearance … Had multiple offers, including South Carolina, Georgia State, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, Purdue and South Alabama.

Bryce Huff (LB, 6-3, 245, Mobile, Ala./St. Paul's Episcopal)
Video: Highlights
Played both linebacker and defensive end for Coach Steve Mask at St. Paul's Episcopal … A three-year starter … Helped lead the Saints to the 2015 Alabama Class 5A state championship with a 41-26 win over Mortimer Jordan … The Saints finished 2015 with a 13-2 overall record and the No. 1 ranking in the 2015 Alabama Class 5A final poll … As a senior, posted 93 tackles, seven sacks and 13 quarterback hurries … Named an All-Coastal Alabama first team honoree … Also was an Al.com Super All-State selection … Also a member of the St. Paul's Episcopal squad that won 2014 Alabama Class 5A state title … Also competed in shotput on the track team, helping his team to a 2015 championship and earning track and field rookie of the year honors … His brother, Jordan, is a running back at Northern Illinois … Also had offers from South Alabama, Troy and Louisiana-Lafayette.

* Lio Lafaele (OL, 6-4, 290, Corona, Calif./Centennial HS/Riverside City College)
Video: Highlights
Played for Coach Tom Craft … Helped lead Riverside Community College to an 8-3 record in 2015 … The Tigers closed the 2015 campaign with three-straight wins to advance to the National Bowl … Blocked for an offense that was a National Central League tri-champion and received the No. 4 seed in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) regional championship … The Riverside offense averaged 443.5 yards per game in 2015 … Originally signed with Utah out of Centennial High School … During his prep career at Centennial High School, was an All-Big 8, All-Inland Area and All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) first team selection … Helped the Huskies to a 14-1 record, the CIF championship and a No. 20 national ranking as a junior.

Tyrez Lindsey (S, 6-2, 187, Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS)
Video: Highlights
Played at both cornerback and safety for Coach Kelvis White at Dothan High School … Had 57 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior in 2015 … Helped the Tigers to an Alabama Class 6A state playoff appearance … Named to the 2015 Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) Class 6A All-State second team … A 2015 Dothan Eagle Super 12 honorable mention selection … Selected for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game …Also had interest from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Southern Miss and Troy… Also played basketball at Dothan.

David Moore (QB, 6-2, 185, Alpharetta, Ga./Milton HS)
Video: Highlights
Ranked as the nation's No. 24 dual-threat quarterback … Played his first two seasons in Dallas, Texas, at Prosper High School, before transferring to John H. Guyer High School in Denton, Texas … Moved to Georgia and transferred to Milton High School four games into the 2014 season … Playing for Coach Howie Decristofaro at Milton High School … Tallied 39 touchdowns in his first season at Milton (26 passing/13 rushing) … His dad, Mike, played lacrosse at Syracuse University, and his uncle, Nick Luchey, played fullback for the Green Bay Packers … Had a number of other offers, including SMU, Houston, Temple, Illinois, Colorado State, Oregon State, Purdue and Syracuse.

Josh Perry (CB, 6-3, 183, Amite, La./Amite HS)
Video: Highlights
Following the 2015 season, ranked No. 41 in the NOLA.com Nifty 50 … Helped lead Amite High School to an 8-6 overall record in 2015 … The Warriors advanced to the Louisiana Class 3A state playoff semifinal round … Named to 2015 Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Class 3A All-State first team … Member of 2014 Amite High School squad that went 12-4 and advanced to the Louisiana Class 3A state championship game … Also a 2014 LSWA Class 3A All-State first team pick … As a junior, had 72 tackles and six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.

Thomas Pickens (S, 6-2, 200, Memphis, Tenn./MUS)
Video: Highlights
Played both wide receiver and defensive back for Coach Bobby Alston at Memphis University School (MUS) … Helped lead the Owls to a 7-4 overall record and a Tenneseee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division 2 Class AA playoff quarterfinal appearance … Caught 39 passes for 782 yards (20.1 average) and seven touchdowns in 2015 … Also had one interception … Played on both the kick and punt return units … Had 53 total tackles, including one sack and one TFL … Received the MUS position performance award as a receiver … Named the offense winner of the W.S. Roberts MVP Award … A 2015 TSSAA Tennessee Titan Mr. Football Division 2-AA back finalist … Played in the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Team … Named a 2015 Division 2-AA West coaches All-Region first team honoree … Also selected a Commercial Appeal's Best of Preps finalist in the private schools category … Also played baseball and ran track at MUS … Also had offers from Air Force, Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee.

John Tate (DE,6-4, 258, Pine Bluff, Ark./Pine Bluff HS)
Video: Highlights
Three-year starter for the Pine Bluff High School Zebras from 2013-15 … Made 39 appearances … Had career stats of 99 tackles, 18 sacks, 32 TFL and one interception … Helped lead Pine Bluff High School to back-to-back Arkansas Class 6A state titles in 2014 (10-3 record) and 2015 (13-0) … Zebras went 8-4-1 and reached the state title game his sophomore campaign … Earned Arkansas All-State honors his junior and senior seasons … Had 39.5 tackles, nine sacks and 13 TFL as a senior in 2015 … Posted a career-high 2.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL in a 34-27 win over El Dorado his senior season … In his junior season, recorded 32.5 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 11 TFL … Recorded a career-best 6.5 tackles in an Arkansas Class 6A state semifinal win over Jonesboro … As a sophomore in 2013, posted 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight TFL and 12 hurries … Also recorded his only interception in 2013 … Named to the 2013 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team … His father, John Sr., played basketball at Arkansas State and is the Red Wolves third-leading all-time scorer with 1,776 points.

Patrick Taylor, Jr. (RB, 6-3, 216, Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS)
Video: Highlights
Three-year varsity performer at Atascocita High School … Started his final two seasons for the Eagles … For his career, rushed for 2,139 yards on 322 carries and 29 touchdowns … Rushing averages were 97.2 yards per game and 6.6 yards per carry … Had 31 catches for 328 yards and two scores for his career … As a senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 12-2 record and the UIL Class 6A/Region 2 championship game (fourth round of state playoffs) … First team from Humble ISD to reach fourth round of Texas state playoffs since 1995 … Earned All-District 16-6A first team honors … Rushed for 1,431 yards on 214 carries with 20 touchdowns … Had eight 100-yard rushing games, including two 200-yard performances, in 2015 … Had five multiple touchdown games … In a Texas playoff second-round win over Cedar Ridge, ran for a career-high 281 yards on 39 rushes and scored four touchdowns (also a career best) … Also had a career-high 293 all-purpose yards in that win (281 rushing, 12 receiving) … As a junior in 2014, rushed for 708 yards on 108 carries and nine touchdowns … Had four 100-yard rushing games … Ran for a season-best 146 yards on 15 carries in a regular-season victory over Klein Forest his junior campaign.

Pop Williams (WR, 5-9, 165, Destrehan, La./Destrehan HS)
Video: Highlights
Three-year varsity performer for the Destrehan High School Wildcats … Starred at wide receiver and also played a big role in the return game … Member of Wildcats squads that posted 37 victories, nine playoff wins, three district titles and one state title game appearance … Helped extend a regular-season win streak to 29 games … Squad won three-straight Louisiana District 7-5A titles from 2013-15 … As a senior, earned 2015 All-Louisiana Sports Writers Association honorable mention honors … Helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-1 record in 2015 … Had six catches for 125 yards and four touchdowns in a regional/second-round playoff victory over Barbe … In final prep game, had 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 2015 Louisiana Class 5A quarterfinal loss … Helped Destrehan High School to a 14-1 record and a Louisiana Class 5A state championship game appearance in 2014 … Team's second-leading receiver with 38 catches for 584 yards and seven touchdowns.

Dustin Woodard (OL, 6-2, 285, Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS)
Video: Highlights
Two-year varsity starter on the offensive line for Chandler High School … Helped lead the Wolves to an 11-2 record and an Arizona Division I state playoff semifinal appearance … Recipient of the 2015 Frank Kush Award, given annually to the top Arizona high school senior offensive down lineman … Earned 2015 American Family Insurance All-USA Arizona team accolades (regardless of division) … Also named All-Arizona Division I first team … Received all-section recognition … Named to the 2015 All-East Valley Tribune first team … Member of the Chandler offensive line that was honored as the 2015 ArizonaVarsity.com Team Offensive Line of the Year … Recipient of the 2015 Great American Rivalry Series Scholar-Athlete award … Carries a 4.0 grade-point average … Member of the Wolves squad that won the 2014 Arizona Division I state championship … Team finished 2014 with a 13-1 record.

*Enrolled in January of 2016 at the University of Memphis

Coach Norvell met with the local media in the morning and members of the Tiger Scholarship Fund in the afternoon and will meet with Tiger fans who want to hear about the new signing class tonight at the Highland Hundred event at Beale Street Landing, beginning at 5 p.m. A meet-and-greet will be held from 5-6 and coach will introduce his staff and the newest Tigers beginning at 6:00 p.m. Cost to attend the Highland Hundred event is $20. Memphis Blue Line shuttle buses will run from the Orpheum parking lot and the parking lot south of Beale Street Landing from 4:00 until 7:30 p.m. The $20 cost includes appetizers, water and (for fans 21 and older) assorted beer.

Updated at 1:23 p.m. (2/3/16)