University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Baseball Announces 19 Newcomers for 2023
Sep 28, 2022 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Head coach Kerrick Jackson and the University of Memphis baseball program is welcoming 19 newcomers to the roster for the 2023 season. The 19 new student-athletes are made up of seven incoming freshmen, seven four-year transfers and five junior-college transfers.
"We had a number of guys committed before [the new coaching staff] came in and they're turning out to be some really quality kids," Jackson said. "Once we got here in May, we were able to pick up some late transfers and I think those kids should also be contributors for us based on their previous experience, athleticism and ability. It's a combination of all those things that we're excited about because they add depth and put us in a competitive environment with all of the kids we have coming in this year."
The class of 19 newcomers is comprised of eight pitchers, five infielders, four outfielders and a pair of utility players. Nearly a third of the incoming class are Tennessee natives, including four incoming freshmen and 2022 State of Tennessee Class 3A Mr. Baseball Award winner Seth Garner. Of the seven four-year transfers, five previously played in the SEC.
Freshmen
Four-year Transfers
JUCO Transfers
Memphis is slated to kick off the Kerrick Jackson era with a fall exhibition against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock in Millington, Tenn., on Oct. 29 before traveling to Jackson, Tenn., on Nov. 6 to take on the University of Tennessee in its second fall exhibition at The Ballpark. Both games will take place at 1 p.m. CT on their respective days.
$3.5 million renovations are continuing this fall at FedEx Park Avron Fogelman Field as part of the program's transformational plan. The project was made possible by generous donations from Memphis businessman, philanthropist and lifelong-baseball enthusiast Avron Fogelman and stadium namesake FedEx. Renovations are scheduled to be completed prior to the 2023 spring season.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"We had a number of guys committed before [the new coaching staff] came in and they're turning out to be some really quality kids," Jackson said. "Once we got here in May, we were able to pick up some late transfers and I think those kids should also be contributors for us based on their previous experience, athleticism and ability. It's a combination of all those things that we're excited about because they add depth and put us in a competitive environment with all of the kids we have coming in this year."
The class of 19 newcomers is comprised of eight pitchers, five infielders, four outfielders and a pair of utility players. Nearly a third of the incoming class are Tennessee natives, including four incoming freshmen and 2022 State of Tennessee Class 3A Mr. Baseball Award winner Seth Garner. Of the seven four-year transfers, five previously played in the SEC.
Freshmen
- CJ Willis / 1B / L/R / 6'2" / 190 / Bartlett HS (Bartlett, Tenn.)
- 2021 First Team All-Metro
- Kerry Herndon-Brown / 1B / L/L / 6'1" / 180 / IMG Academy (Germantown, Md.)
- 2021 First Team All-Conference, 2022 MLB Draft Combine Participant
- Seth Garner / RHP / R/R / 6'2" / 205 / Hardin County HS (Savannah, Tenn.)
- Two-time First Team All-State selection, 2022 Conference MVP, 2022 Tennessee Class 3A Mr. Baseball Award winner
- Caden Robinson / RHP / R/R / 6'1" / 180 / New Albany HS (New Albany, Ohio)
- 2022 Conference Player of the Year, 2022 Mizuno All-State
- Josh Russell / OF / R/R / 6'0" / 180 / Briarcrest HS (Germantown, Tenn.)
- 2022 DII First Team All-Metro
- RJ Jimerson / OF / R/R / 5'11" / 180 / Sacred Heart Griffin HS (Chicago, Ill.)
- Four-time First Team All-Conference, 2022 All-State selection
- Caleb Littlejohn / RHP / R/R / 6'3" / 180 / University School HS (Memphis, Tenn.)
Four-year Transfers
- Brayland Skinner / OF / L/L / 5'11" / 185 / Mississippi State (Lake Cormorant, Miss.)
- 2019 First Team All-MAC (JUCO) at Northwest Mississippi CC, member of 2021 NCAA National Championship at Mississippi State
- Glenn Green III / RHP / R/R / 6'1" / 216 / Georgia (Tyrone, Ga.)
- 10-0 record, 0.81 ERA and 115 Ks as a pitcher and batted .408 as a high-school senior, 2021 MLB Draft Combine Participant, redshirted at Georgia
- Dexter Swims / IF/OF / R/R / 5'10" / 180 / Mizzou (St. Louis, Mo.)
- 2019 MIAA Freshman of the Year, 2021 First Team All-MIAA at Missouri Southern
- Luke Ellis / LHP / L/L/ 6'1" / 175 / Ole Miss (Somerville, Tenn.)
- 1.8 ERA and 68 Ks as senior in high school, redshirted at Ole Miss.
- Xavier Lovett / RHP / R/R / 5'11" / 190 / Texas A&M (Houston, Texas)
- Has appeared in 13 DI games in his career, striking out nine in 10 innings.
- Cameron Benson / SS / L/R / 6'3" / 175 / Akron (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
- 2022 Cape Cod League invite, 2022 DI Baseball Preseason MAC Freshman of the Year, batted .255 with seven HR and 29 RBI in 192 at bats.
- Anthony Hansen / OF / L/L / 6'1" / 200 / William Jewel College (Columbia, Mo.)
- 2022 DII Third Team All-American, career leader in hits, RBI, runs, HR, doubles, batting average and OBP at William Jewell College
JUCO Transfers
- Jake Curtis / UTL / R/R / 5'10" / 175 / Lincoln Land CC (Chatham, Ill.)
- 2021 JUCO ABCA First Team All-American, 2021 MWAC Player of the Year, 2022 Rawlings ABCA Gold Glove Award winner at Lincoln Land CC.
- Cade Davis / RHP / R/R / 6'6" / 240 / East Mississippi CC (Ripley, Miss.)
- Went 4-1 in 11 starts with a 3.68 ERA and 51 Ks over 58.2 innings last season, pitching three complete games.
- Tyler Heckert / SS / R/R / 6'1" / 180 / John A Logan College (Joelton, Tenn.)
- Career .270 hitter at John A. Logan College. 15 HR, 71 RBI and 45 steals in two seasons.
- Ethan Vandament / RHP / R/R / 6'1" / 170 / Bossier Parish CC (Austin, Texas)
- 2021 All-District in high school. Appeared in 10 games a season ago, striking out 12 batters in 9.1 innings.
- Will Spears / IF / R/R / 5'11" / 185 / Delgado CC (New Orleans, La.)
- Started 25 games a season ago, drove in 13 runs and scored 12.
Memphis is slated to kick off the Kerrick Jackson era with a fall exhibition against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock in Millington, Tenn., on Oct. 29 before traveling to Jackson, Tenn., on Nov. 6 to take on the University of Tennessee in its second fall exhibition at The Ballpark. Both games will take place at 1 p.m. CT on their respective days.
$3.5 million renovations are continuing this fall at FedEx Park Avron Fogelman Field as part of the program's transformational plan. The project was made possible by generous donations from Memphis businessman, philanthropist and lifelong-baseball enthusiast Avron Fogelman and stadium namesake FedEx. Renovations are scheduled to be completed prior to the 2023 spring season.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 14, 2025
Wednesday, May 14
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 6, 2025
Wednesday, May 07
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 29, 2025
Tuesday, April 29
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22