M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2019
A Uniontown, Pa., native, Tory Epps was a standout linebacker for Uniontown High School when he signed with Charlie Bailey’s Memphis Tigers in 1985. After redshirting as a freshman, Epps became a starter at nose guard during the 1986 season and was credited with 53 tackles, including four for lost yardage. Epps began to exert his dominance in the defensive line during the early stages of the 1987 season and was selected as the Associated Press National Defensive Player of the Week following his 10-tackle performance in Memphis’ victory against 15th-ranked Alabama. The following week, Epps suffered a season-ending knee injury. He was credited with 37 tackles during his shortened sophomore campaign. Epps began his rehabilitation in the spring of 1988 and returned to the Memphis lineup in the fall of 1988. Demonstrating that his repaired knee was stronger than ever, Epps logged 83 tackles, two quarterback sacks and nine tackles for lost yardage during the 1988 season. Playing perhaps the best football of his career, Epps recorded 69 tackles, six tackles for lost yardage and two sacks during his senior season. For his play, he was named to Street & Smith’s All-South and All-America teams, the Football News All-America squad, the All-Metro Conference second team and was invited to play in the Blue/Gray and the King All-America Classic All-Star games. Epps was taken in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and played six seasons of professional football for the Falcons, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.
Epps passed away on June 1, 2005, at the age of 38. Â Â
