University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Welcomes 34 During Early Signing Day Period
Dec 20, 2023 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield announced on Wednesday the signing of 34 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Tigers beginning in 2024.
The class includes 14 high school seniors as well as 20 transfers. The group includes 16 offensive players, 15 defensive players, two specialists and one athlete.
The 2023 early signing day period class includes five players each from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, four from Tennessee, two from South Carolina and one each from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Maine and Louisiana, as well as one from Australia.
Among the signees are nine offensive linemen, five linebackers, five defensive linemen, five defensive backs, four wide receivers, two running backs, one quarterback, one kicker, one punter and one athlete.
QB Arrington Maiden, RB Makari Bodiford, WR Brady Kluse, WR Keonde Henry, LB Nathan Thomason, OL Cameron Pascal, OL Calvin McMillan, OL Jonathan Young, DL Mond Cole, DB Samson Israel, RB Mario Anderson, OL Trent Holler, OL Keydrell Lewis, OL Izaiah Reed, OL Patrick Lucas Jr., DL Richard Kinley II, LB Jayden Flaker, LB Javante Mackey, LB Matt Hudson, DB Kourtlan Marsh, DB AJ Watts, DB Jaidyn Denis, P Joshua Sloan and K Caden Costa will all enroll in the spring for the Tigers.
Mario Anderson
Running Back | 5-9 | 208
Summerville, S.C. | Stratford HS | Newberry College | South Carolina
Ran for 707 yards and three touchdowns on 143 carries in his lone season as a Gamecock … Logged 100-yard games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt … Spent the previous four seasons at DII Newberry College where he amassed 3,301 rushing yards (third-most in school history) and 35 rushing touchdowns … earned First Team All-America honors and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2022 … Two-time First Team All-Conference performer … Rushed for over 100 yards in 16-of-29 games at Newberry.
Jordan Bell
Athlete | 6-1 | 182
Munford, Tenn. | Munford HS
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports … High school quarterback … In 2023, Bell had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, leading Munford to the first round of the TSSAA Class 5A football playoffs … Passed for 1,467 yards and 16 touchdowns … Rushed for 629 yards and had 10 rushing touchdowns … Named to the Region 8-5A first-team offense.
Kavion Benton
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 239
Memphis, Tenn. | Southwind HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 40 player in the state of Tennessee by On3 and No. 43 by 247 Sports … No. 141 and No. 143 defensive lineman in the country by On3 and 247 Sports, respectively … Invited to play in the 2023 Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game … Was ranked No. 12 in the Commercial Appeal's 'Dandy Dozen' , a list of top-college football prospects in the area entering the season 2024 season … Helped anchor a Southwind defense that was undefeated during the regular season and posted five shutouts, allowing just 60 points all season … Helped his team to the state semifinal round.
Makari Bodiford
Running Back | 5-11 | 222
Marietta, Ga. | George Walton HS
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 114 running back in the nation by ESPN … 94th-ranked player overall from the state of Georgia by Rivals.com … Ran for 712 yards (4.8 YPC) as a sophomore for George Walton … Carried the ball 253 times for 1,582 yards (6.3 YPC) and 20 touchdowns as a junior, averaging 121.7 yards-per game … Helped lead George Walton to the Georgia Class 7A State Championship game as a senior, running for 1,035 yards (7.1 YPC) and 20 touchdowns.
Jalen Charles
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 222
Manvel, Texas | Manvel HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 134 overall recruit from the state of Texas and 55th-ranked EDGE rusher in the country by 247 Sports … Recorded 80 tackles (27 for loss), 15 sacks, 34 hurries, and interception and forced three fumbles his senior season at Manvel … Second-most sacks in school history (23) and two-time First Team All-District honoree.
Mond Cole
Defensive Line | 6-1 | 325
Meridian, Miss. | West Lauderdale HS | Holmes CC
Ranked as the No. 20 JUCO defensive lineman and No. 31 JUCO player in Mississippi by 247 Sports … Played nine games for Holmes CC in 2023, registering 22 tackles and a pair of sacks.
Caden Costa
Kicker | 6-0 | 200
Mandeville, La. | Mandeville HS | Ole Miss
Rated a 4.5-star prospect by Chris Sailer Kicking ... Tabbed a three-star prospect by Rivals, ESPN and the 247 Sports Composite ... Touted as the nation's No. 7 kicker and the No. 53 player in Louisiana via the 247 Sports Composite ... Saw action in 11 games as a true freshman in 2021 ... 14 field goals on the season tied for the program record for the most ever by a true freshman ... Was a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals less than 40 yards ... Became first Rebel to connect on a 50-yard field goal since Andrew Ritter made a 50-yarder against Idaho in 2013 ... Was one-for-one (36 yards) on field goals in 2023 for the Rebels.
Jaidyn Denis
Defensive Back | 6-2 | 191
Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek HS | Elon
Three-star recruit, No. 57 player and No. 153 cornerback in North Carolina by 247 Sports in the class of 2020 coming out of high school … Redshirted as a freshman at Elon in 2020, seeing action in three games … Started against Appalachian State and appeared in 10 games during the 2021 season … Made six starts at cornerback and played in all 12 games during the 2022 season, making 27 tackles, six pass break-ups and a forced fumble … Totaled 40 tackles (27 solo) to go with a sack and three interceptions in 2023 … Named to Pro Football Focus' (PFF) FCS All-American team and Phil Steele First Team All-CAA in 2023.
Bryce Dorsey
Wide Receiver | 5-10 | 172
Hitchcock, Texas | Hitchcock HS
Named Texas Class 3A First Team All-District 12 honors as a wide receiver … Also plays varsity basketball.
Jayden Flaker
Linebacker | 6-2 | 222
Scarborough, Maine | Scarborough HS | North Carolina Central
Played in 12 games as a freshman at NC Central and tallied a dozen tackles and a pair of blocked kicks … Started all 12 games and led the team defensively in 2023, recording 85 tackles (54 solo), 10 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a pair of forced fumbles … Led the MEAC in tackles in 2023.
Kamore Harris
Linebacker | 5-11 | 250
Sylacauga, Ala. | BB Comer Memorial HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 69 overall player from the state of Alabama by 247 Sports … No. 85-ranked athlete in the country by On3 … Versatile athlete and four-year varsity starter that played linebacker and running back … Ran for 1,660 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading BB Comer to an Alabama Class 2A State Championship appearance as a junior in 2022, also adding 96 tackles and three sacks on the defensive side of the ball … Invited to play in the Mississippi / Alabama All-Star Game.
Keonde Henry
Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 190
Lake Dallas, Texas | Lake Dallas HS
Four-star recruit by 247 Sports, Rivals.com and On3 … No. 30 player in the state of Texas and No. 32 wide receiver in the country by On3 … Racked up over 2,000 receiving yards and 27 scores during his career at Lake Dallas … Hauled in 56 receptions for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.
Trent Holler
Offensive Line | 6-2 | 311
Latrobe, Pa. | Greater Latrobe HS | East Carolina | Marshall
Rated as a three-star prospect in the class of 2019 by ESPN and 247 Sports … Originally attended East Carolina before transferring to Marshall in 2022 … Appeared in 12 games and made five starts for the Herd on the offensive line in 2022 ... Played in 11 games on Marshall's offensive line in 2023.
Matt Hudson
Linebacker | 6-2 | 237
Eagle, Idaho | Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) | Harvard
Did not play as a freshman at Harvard due to the Ivy League's season cancellation due to COVID … Played in all ten of Harvard's games in 2021, making five tackles … Saw action in 10 games and ranked second on the team with 50 tackles in 2022, including six that went for a loss ... Recorded a pair of sacks, three pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries ... Forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery ... Logged three or more tackles in nine games ... Had a season-high 10 tackles and 2.0 TFL vs. Princeton … Ranked second on the team again in 2023 with 66 stops (34 solo, 4.0 TFL) … Added an interception and a fumble recovery … Second Team All-Ivy League linebacker in 2023 by Phil Steele.
Samson Israel
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 166
Douglasville, Ga. | Douglas County HS | Coahoma CC | Itawamba CC
Played in six games as a freshman at Coahoma CC, recording 22 tackles (one for loss) and pulling down three interceptions … Chose Memphis over UConn, Temple, UMass and Louisiana Tech.
Richard Kinley II
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 237
Memphis, Tenn. | Lausanne Collegiate HS | Middle Tennessee
Redshirted for Middle Tennessee in 2019 after seeing action in four games … Played in eight games in 2020, recording 21 tackles and a pair of sacks … Started all 13 games in 2021, ending the year with 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks … Played in just six games in 2022 due to injury, recording six tackles … Played in nine games, recorded three sacks and logged 20 tackles in 2023.
Brady Kluse
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 188
Kennesaw, Ga. | Harrison HS
Consensus three-star recruit… Ranked as No. 169 overall recruit from state of Georgia and the nation's 220th-ranked wide receiver by 247 Sports… Caught 38 passes for 616 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore for Harrison… Hauled in 66 receptions for 1,033 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior… Was named Georgia Class 7A First Team All-Region 3 as a senior after catching 67 balls for 910 yards and nine touchdowns.
Keydrell Lewis
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 338
Stockbridge, Ga. | Mallard Creek HS | San Jose State | Louisiana-Monroe
Consensus three-star recruit coming out of high school … Ranked as No. 58 player in North Carolina by ESPN … Redshirted at San Jose State as a freshman in 2020 … Made 11 starts and saw action in all 12 of Louisiana-Monroe's games in 2021 … Made 12 starts at right tackle in 2022 and 2023 for the Warhawks.
Taccofah Lewis
Offensive Line | 6-2 | 286
Pearl, Miss. | Pearl HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 38 overall player from the state of Mississippi and No. 119 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247 Sports.
Patrick Lucas Jr.
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 320
Prattville, Ala. | Wetumpka HS | Ole Miss | Indiana
Rated as the No. 25 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 15 overall recruit in Alabama by 247 Sports coming out of high school … Redshirted the 2019 season at Ole Miss after seeing action in four games … Played in all seven of Ole Miss's games as a redshirt freshman in 2020 … Made his lone appearance of 2021 in a win over Tulane … Transferred to Indiana prior to the 2022 season where he played in all 12 of IU's games in both 2022 and 2023.
Javante Mackey
Linebacker | 6-2 | 222
Chicago, Ill. | Whitehaven HS | Arkansas State
Ranked as a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports coming out of high school … ESPN listed Mackey as its No. 27 player in the state of Tennessee and No. 61 EDGE nationally … Totaled 84 tackles at Arkansas State in 2023 to rank second on the squad … Logged a pair of sacks and recovered a fumble.
Arrington Maiden
Quarterback | 6-2 | 204
College Station, Texas | College Station HS
Consensus three-star recruit … 68th-ranked quarterback in the country by 247 Sports … No. 177 overall recruit from the state of Texas by On3 … Started junior season of high school as a backup before taking over the starting job and leading College Station to the state championship game … Led the Cougars on another deep playoff run as a senior, throwing for 2,803 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes.
Kourtlan Marsh
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 188
Warrior, Ala. | Mortimer-Jordan HS | Samford
Played both cornerback and quarterback at Mortimer-Jordan High School … Helped lead his team to a region title and Alabama Class 5A North Runner-Up finish … Passed for 5,461 yards, rushed for 2,573 yards and had a combined 95 touchdowns in his high school career … Was named All-State, Super All-State and was a finalist for AHSAA Player of the Year … Also named his team's Offensive MVP and was a finalist for Blitz Player of the Year … Appeared in 10 games for Samford in 2021 … Appeared in all 13 games for Samford in 2022, starting two for the Southern Conference Champions … Ranked sixth on the defense with 50 tackles and 33 solo stops … Finished the season with 11 pass breakups, the second most on the team … Played in 11 games in 2023, making 51 tackles and nabbing an interception.
Calvin McMillian
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 290
Houston, Miss. | Houston HS | Mississippi State | Southern Miss | Holmes CC
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports … Top-35 recruit in state of Mississippi by ESPN (No. 18) coming out of high school … Ranked as the 22nd-best player in the state of Mississippi and No. 62 offensive tackle recruit in the nation by 247 Sports … Played in nine games in 2023 at Holmes CC.
Cameron Pascal
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 295
Union, Miss. | Union HS | Northwest Mississippi CC
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports coming out of high school … Helped the Yellow Jackets to the second round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs as a senior ... Chosen to the 2021 MaxPreps Small Town All-America second team ... Named to the Mississippi Association of Coaches 3A All-State first team...selected to participate in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic ... Named to The Meridian Star's 2021 Premier Preps first team ... Region 5-3A Most Valuable Offensive Lineman ... Named by SBLive as one of the Top 15 Offensive Lineman in Mississippi ... As a junior, selected to the MAC 3A All-State second team … Played in four games as a freshman at Northwest Mississippi CC and started 10 games in 2023.
Izaiah Reed
Offensive Line | 6-6 | 295
Jackson, Tenn. | Jackson North Side HS | Louisville
Part of Louisville's 2022 recruiting class where he was a four-star recruit by On3 and No. 17 overall player in the state of Tennessee and No. 54 offensive tackle nationally by 247 Sports … Saw lone action of 2023 in Louisville's win over Murray State.
Jyaire Shorter
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 218
Killeen, Texas | Ellison HS | North Texas | Auburn
Three-star prospect coming out of high school by 247 Sports and Rivals … Redshirted his first season with the Mean Green in 2018 … Made 10 starts in 2019 and was an Honorable Mention All-Conference USA selection after reeling in 24 passes for 473 yards … Four catches for 97 yards before season-ending injury in 2020 … Saw action in a pair of games before injury in 2021, catching six passes for 107 yards vs. SMU (9/11/21) … Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honoree and Comeback Player of the Year Semi-Finalist in 2022 … Played in 13 games (11 starts), hauling in 23 receptions for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns (tied for seventh in FBS) … Led all of FBS in yards per reception (27.2) … Pro Football Focus (PFF) National Team of the Week (9/24/22) … Transferred to Auburn in 2023, seeing action in seven games … Caught one pass for 10 yards.
Joshua Sloan
Punter | 6-2 | 189
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ProKick Australia | UTEP
Started all eight games for the Miners as a freshman in 2020 … Booted 10 punts of 50-plus yards in 2021 … Punted in all 12 games for the Miners in 2022, ranking third in Conference USA and No. 19 nationally in punting average (44.0) … Recorded 11 punts of 50-plus yards and placed 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA honoree … Punted 51 times in 2023, averaging 44.2 yards-per punt … Had a season-long 66-yard punt against Liberty … Downed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line and had nine punts of 50-plus yards … 2023 Second Team All-Conference USA selection.
Nate Thomason
Linebacker | 6-2 | 207
Helena, Ala. | Helena HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 54 overall player from the state of Alabama and No. 137 linebacker nationally by 247 Sports … Tallied 141 total tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, six pass-breakups and an interception as a senior at Helena … Selected to play in the AHSAA North vs. South All-Star Game.
AJ Watts
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 193
Columbus, Ga. | Carver HS | Akron | Louisiana-Monroe
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports coming out of HS … Played in all 12 games for Akron in 2019 with seven starts at corner ... The only true freshman to play in all 12 games ... Had 33 tackles, 2.5 TFL, a team-best six break-ups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery ... Tallied 29 tackles and picked off two passes for Akron in 2020 … Made 30 stops for the Zips on 2021 … Transferred to Louisiana-Monroe and was in on 53 tackles (37 solo), pulled down a pair of INTs and recovered a fumble in 2023.
Ethan Wilder
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 170
Gordo, Ala. | Gordo HS
Saw action on both sides of the ball during his high school career … Scored five touchdowns in the first half alone of Gordo's 63-0 win over Carbon Hill - two rushing, one pick-six, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt each returned for scores.
Elijah Williams
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 300
Irmo, S.C. | Irmo HS
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 18 player in South Carolina and No. 117 offensive tackle by 247 Sports.
Kobe Williams
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 336
Aberdeen, Miss. | Amory HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 23 overall player from the state of Mississippi and No. 58 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247 Sports … Mississippi Class 4A Second Team All-State selection by Prep Redzone Mississippi … Selected to play in Mississippi / Alabama All-Star Game.
Jonathan Young
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 286
Orland Park, Ill. | Victor J. Andrew HS | Iowa Central CC
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 3 JUCO offensive tackle recruit in the country by On3 and No. 6 by 247 Sports … Saw action for Iowa Central in both 2022 and 2023.
The Memphis Tigers will face Iowa State in the 65th AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Friday, Dec. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
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By purchasing through Memphis Athletics, fans are guaranteed to be sitting with other Memphis fans in the Tiger section (Sections 117-123), helping enhance the national perception of Memphis Tiger Football and directly helping support the athletic department financially.
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The class includes 14 high school seniors as well as 20 transfers. The group includes 16 offensive players, 15 defensive players, two specialists and one athlete.
The 2023 early signing day period class includes five players each from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, four from Tennessee, two from South Carolina and one each from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Maine and Louisiana, as well as one from Australia.
Among the signees are nine offensive linemen, five linebackers, five defensive linemen, five defensive backs, four wide receivers, two running backs, one quarterback, one kicker, one punter and one athlete.
QB Arrington Maiden, RB Makari Bodiford, WR Brady Kluse, WR Keonde Henry, LB Nathan Thomason, OL Cameron Pascal, OL Calvin McMillan, OL Jonathan Young, DL Mond Cole, DB Samson Israel, RB Mario Anderson, OL Trent Holler, OL Keydrell Lewis, OL Izaiah Reed, OL Patrick Lucas Jr., DL Richard Kinley II, LB Jayden Flaker, LB Javante Mackey, LB Matt Hudson, DB Kourtlan Marsh, DB AJ Watts, DB Jaidyn Denis, P Joshua Sloan and K Caden Costa will all enroll in the spring for the Tigers.
Mario Anderson
Running Back | 5-9 | 208
Summerville, S.C. | Stratford HS | Newberry College | South Carolina
Ran for 707 yards and three touchdowns on 143 carries in his lone season as a Gamecock … Logged 100-yard games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt … Spent the previous four seasons at DII Newberry College where he amassed 3,301 rushing yards (third-most in school history) and 35 rushing touchdowns … earned First Team All-America honors and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2022 … Two-time First Team All-Conference performer … Rushed for over 100 yards in 16-of-29 games at Newberry.
Jordan Bell
Athlete | 6-1 | 182
Munford, Tenn. | Munford HS
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports … High school quarterback … In 2023, Bell had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, leading Munford to the first round of the TSSAA Class 5A football playoffs … Passed for 1,467 yards and 16 touchdowns … Rushed for 629 yards and had 10 rushing touchdowns … Named to the Region 8-5A first-team offense.
Kavion Benton
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 239
Memphis, Tenn. | Southwind HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 40 player in the state of Tennessee by On3 and No. 43 by 247 Sports … No. 141 and No. 143 defensive lineman in the country by On3 and 247 Sports, respectively … Invited to play in the 2023 Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game … Was ranked No. 12 in the Commercial Appeal's 'Dandy Dozen' , a list of top-college football prospects in the area entering the season 2024 season … Helped anchor a Southwind defense that was undefeated during the regular season and posted five shutouts, allowing just 60 points all season … Helped his team to the state semifinal round.
Makari Bodiford
Running Back | 5-11 | 222
Marietta, Ga. | George Walton HS
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 114 running back in the nation by ESPN … 94th-ranked player overall from the state of Georgia by Rivals.com … Ran for 712 yards (4.8 YPC) as a sophomore for George Walton … Carried the ball 253 times for 1,582 yards (6.3 YPC) and 20 touchdowns as a junior, averaging 121.7 yards-per game … Helped lead George Walton to the Georgia Class 7A State Championship game as a senior, running for 1,035 yards (7.1 YPC) and 20 touchdowns.
Jalen Charles
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 222
Manvel, Texas | Manvel HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 134 overall recruit from the state of Texas and 55th-ranked EDGE rusher in the country by 247 Sports … Recorded 80 tackles (27 for loss), 15 sacks, 34 hurries, and interception and forced three fumbles his senior season at Manvel … Second-most sacks in school history (23) and two-time First Team All-District honoree.
Mond Cole
Defensive Line | 6-1 | 325
Meridian, Miss. | West Lauderdale HS | Holmes CC
Ranked as the No. 20 JUCO defensive lineman and No. 31 JUCO player in Mississippi by 247 Sports … Played nine games for Holmes CC in 2023, registering 22 tackles and a pair of sacks.
Caden Costa
Kicker | 6-0 | 200
Mandeville, La. | Mandeville HS | Ole Miss
Rated a 4.5-star prospect by Chris Sailer Kicking ... Tabbed a three-star prospect by Rivals, ESPN and the 247 Sports Composite ... Touted as the nation's No. 7 kicker and the No. 53 player in Louisiana via the 247 Sports Composite ... Saw action in 11 games as a true freshman in 2021 ... 14 field goals on the season tied for the program record for the most ever by a true freshman ... Was a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals less than 40 yards ... Became first Rebel to connect on a 50-yard field goal since Andrew Ritter made a 50-yarder against Idaho in 2013 ... Was one-for-one (36 yards) on field goals in 2023 for the Rebels.
Jaidyn Denis
Defensive Back | 6-2 | 191
Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek HS | Elon
Three-star recruit, No. 57 player and No. 153 cornerback in North Carolina by 247 Sports in the class of 2020 coming out of high school … Redshirted as a freshman at Elon in 2020, seeing action in three games … Started against Appalachian State and appeared in 10 games during the 2021 season … Made six starts at cornerback and played in all 12 games during the 2022 season, making 27 tackles, six pass break-ups and a forced fumble … Totaled 40 tackles (27 solo) to go with a sack and three interceptions in 2023 … Named to Pro Football Focus' (PFF) FCS All-American team and Phil Steele First Team All-CAA in 2023.
Bryce Dorsey
Wide Receiver | 5-10 | 172
Hitchcock, Texas | Hitchcock HS
Named Texas Class 3A First Team All-District 12 honors as a wide receiver … Also plays varsity basketball.
Jayden Flaker
Linebacker | 6-2 | 222
Scarborough, Maine | Scarborough HS | North Carolina Central
Played in 12 games as a freshman at NC Central and tallied a dozen tackles and a pair of blocked kicks … Started all 12 games and led the team defensively in 2023, recording 85 tackles (54 solo), 10 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a pair of forced fumbles … Led the MEAC in tackles in 2023.
Kamore Harris
Linebacker | 5-11 | 250
Sylacauga, Ala. | BB Comer Memorial HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 69 overall player from the state of Alabama by 247 Sports … No. 85-ranked athlete in the country by On3 … Versatile athlete and four-year varsity starter that played linebacker and running back … Ran for 1,660 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading BB Comer to an Alabama Class 2A State Championship appearance as a junior in 2022, also adding 96 tackles and three sacks on the defensive side of the ball … Invited to play in the Mississippi / Alabama All-Star Game.
Keonde Henry
Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 190
Lake Dallas, Texas | Lake Dallas HS
Four-star recruit by 247 Sports, Rivals.com and On3 … No. 30 player in the state of Texas and No. 32 wide receiver in the country by On3 … Racked up over 2,000 receiving yards and 27 scores during his career at Lake Dallas … Hauled in 56 receptions for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.
Trent Holler
Offensive Line | 6-2 | 311
Latrobe, Pa. | Greater Latrobe HS | East Carolina | Marshall
Rated as a three-star prospect in the class of 2019 by ESPN and 247 Sports … Originally attended East Carolina before transferring to Marshall in 2022 … Appeared in 12 games and made five starts for the Herd on the offensive line in 2022 ... Played in 11 games on Marshall's offensive line in 2023.
Matt Hudson
Linebacker | 6-2 | 237
Eagle, Idaho | Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) | Harvard
Did not play as a freshman at Harvard due to the Ivy League's season cancellation due to COVID … Played in all ten of Harvard's games in 2021, making five tackles … Saw action in 10 games and ranked second on the team with 50 tackles in 2022, including six that went for a loss ... Recorded a pair of sacks, three pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries ... Forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery ... Logged three or more tackles in nine games ... Had a season-high 10 tackles and 2.0 TFL vs. Princeton … Ranked second on the team again in 2023 with 66 stops (34 solo, 4.0 TFL) … Added an interception and a fumble recovery … Second Team All-Ivy League linebacker in 2023 by Phil Steele.
Samson Israel
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 166
Douglasville, Ga. | Douglas County HS | Coahoma CC | Itawamba CC
Played in six games as a freshman at Coahoma CC, recording 22 tackles (one for loss) and pulling down three interceptions … Chose Memphis over UConn, Temple, UMass and Louisiana Tech.
Richard Kinley II
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 237
Memphis, Tenn. | Lausanne Collegiate HS | Middle Tennessee
Redshirted for Middle Tennessee in 2019 after seeing action in four games … Played in eight games in 2020, recording 21 tackles and a pair of sacks … Started all 13 games in 2021, ending the year with 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks … Played in just six games in 2022 due to injury, recording six tackles … Played in nine games, recorded three sacks and logged 20 tackles in 2023.
Brady Kluse
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 188
Kennesaw, Ga. | Harrison HS
Consensus three-star recruit… Ranked as No. 169 overall recruit from state of Georgia and the nation's 220th-ranked wide receiver by 247 Sports… Caught 38 passes for 616 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore for Harrison… Hauled in 66 receptions for 1,033 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior… Was named Georgia Class 7A First Team All-Region 3 as a senior after catching 67 balls for 910 yards and nine touchdowns.
Keydrell Lewis
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 338
Stockbridge, Ga. | Mallard Creek HS | San Jose State | Louisiana-Monroe
Consensus three-star recruit coming out of high school … Ranked as No. 58 player in North Carolina by ESPN … Redshirted at San Jose State as a freshman in 2020 … Made 11 starts and saw action in all 12 of Louisiana-Monroe's games in 2021 … Made 12 starts at right tackle in 2022 and 2023 for the Warhawks.
Taccofah Lewis
Offensive Line | 6-2 | 286
Pearl, Miss. | Pearl HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 38 overall player from the state of Mississippi and No. 119 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247 Sports.
Patrick Lucas Jr.
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 320
Prattville, Ala. | Wetumpka HS | Ole Miss | Indiana
Rated as the No. 25 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 15 overall recruit in Alabama by 247 Sports coming out of high school … Redshirted the 2019 season at Ole Miss after seeing action in four games … Played in all seven of Ole Miss's games as a redshirt freshman in 2020 … Made his lone appearance of 2021 in a win over Tulane … Transferred to Indiana prior to the 2022 season where he played in all 12 of IU's games in both 2022 and 2023.
Javante Mackey
Linebacker | 6-2 | 222
Chicago, Ill. | Whitehaven HS | Arkansas State
Ranked as a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports coming out of high school … ESPN listed Mackey as its No. 27 player in the state of Tennessee and No. 61 EDGE nationally … Totaled 84 tackles at Arkansas State in 2023 to rank second on the squad … Logged a pair of sacks and recovered a fumble.
Arrington Maiden
Quarterback | 6-2 | 204
College Station, Texas | College Station HS
Consensus three-star recruit … 68th-ranked quarterback in the country by 247 Sports … No. 177 overall recruit from the state of Texas by On3 … Started junior season of high school as a backup before taking over the starting job and leading College Station to the state championship game … Led the Cougars on another deep playoff run as a senior, throwing for 2,803 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes.
Kourtlan Marsh
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 188
Warrior, Ala. | Mortimer-Jordan HS | Samford
Played both cornerback and quarterback at Mortimer-Jordan High School … Helped lead his team to a region title and Alabama Class 5A North Runner-Up finish … Passed for 5,461 yards, rushed for 2,573 yards and had a combined 95 touchdowns in his high school career … Was named All-State, Super All-State and was a finalist for AHSAA Player of the Year … Also named his team's Offensive MVP and was a finalist for Blitz Player of the Year … Appeared in 10 games for Samford in 2021 … Appeared in all 13 games for Samford in 2022, starting two for the Southern Conference Champions … Ranked sixth on the defense with 50 tackles and 33 solo stops … Finished the season with 11 pass breakups, the second most on the team … Played in 11 games in 2023, making 51 tackles and nabbing an interception.
Calvin McMillian
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 290
Houston, Miss. | Houston HS | Mississippi State | Southern Miss | Holmes CC
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports … Top-35 recruit in state of Mississippi by ESPN (No. 18) coming out of high school … Ranked as the 22nd-best player in the state of Mississippi and No. 62 offensive tackle recruit in the nation by 247 Sports … Played in nine games in 2023 at Holmes CC.
Cameron Pascal
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 295
Union, Miss. | Union HS | Northwest Mississippi CC
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports coming out of high school … Helped the Yellow Jackets to the second round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs as a senior ... Chosen to the 2021 MaxPreps Small Town All-America second team ... Named to the Mississippi Association of Coaches 3A All-State first team...selected to participate in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic ... Named to The Meridian Star's 2021 Premier Preps first team ... Region 5-3A Most Valuable Offensive Lineman ... Named by SBLive as one of the Top 15 Offensive Lineman in Mississippi ... As a junior, selected to the MAC 3A All-State second team … Played in four games as a freshman at Northwest Mississippi CC and started 10 games in 2023.
Izaiah Reed
Offensive Line | 6-6 | 295
Jackson, Tenn. | Jackson North Side HS | Louisville
Part of Louisville's 2022 recruiting class where he was a four-star recruit by On3 and No. 17 overall player in the state of Tennessee and No. 54 offensive tackle nationally by 247 Sports … Saw lone action of 2023 in Louisville's win over Murray State.
Jyaire Shorter
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 218
Killeen, Texas | Ellison HS | North Texas | Auburn
Three-star prospect coming out of high school by 247 Sports and Rivals … Redshirted his first season with the Mean Green in 2018 … Made 10 starts in 2019 and was an Honorable Mention All-Conference USA selection after reeling in 24 passes for 473 yards … Four catches for 97 yards before season-ending injury in 2020 … Saw action in a pair of games before injury in 2021, catching six passes for 107 yards vs. SMU (9/11/21) … Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honoree and Comeback Player of the Year Semi-Finalist in 2022 … Played in 13 games (11 starts), hauling in 23 receptions for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns (tied for seventh in FBS) … Led all of FBS in yards per reception (27.2) … Pro Football Focus (PFF) National Team of the Week (9/24/22) … Transferred to Auburn in 2023, seeing action in seven games … Caught one pass for 10 yards.
Joshua Sloan
Punter | 6-2 | 189
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ProKick Australia | UTEP
Started all eight games for the Miners as a freshman in 2020 … Booted 10 punts of 50-plus yards in 2021 … Punted in all 12 games for the Miners in 2022, ranking third in Conference USA and No. 19 nationally in punting average (44.0) … Recorded 11 punts of 50-plus yards and placed 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA honoree … Punted 51 times in 2023, averaging 44.2 yards-per punt … Had a season-long 66-yard punt against Liberty … Downed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line and had nine punts of 50-plus yards … 2023 Second Team All-Conference USA selection.
Nate Thomason
Linebacker | 6-2 | 207
Helena, Ala. | Helena HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 54 overall player from the state of Alabama and No. 137 linebacker nationally by 247 Sports … Tallied 141 total tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, six pass-breakups and an interception as a senior at Helena … Selected to play in the AHSAA North vs. South All-Star Game.
AJ Watts
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 193
Columbus, Ga. | Carver HS | Akron | Louisiana-Monroe
Three-star recruit by 247 Sports coming out of HS … Played in all 12 games for Akron in 2019 with seven starts at corner ... The only true freshman to play in all 12 games ... Had 33 tackles, 2.5 TFL, a team-best six break-ups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery ... Tallied 29 tackles and picked off two passes for Akron in 2020 … Made 30 stops for the Zips on 2021 … Transferred to Louisiana-Monroe and was in on 53 tackles (37 solo), pulled down a pair of INTs and recovered a fumble in 2023.
Ethan Wilder
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 170
Gordo, Ala. | Gordo HS
Saw action on both sides of the ball during his high school career … Scored five touchdowns in the first half alone of Gordo's 63-0 win over Carbon Hill - two rushing, one pick-six, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt each returned for scores.
Elijah Williams
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 300
Irmo, S.C. | Irmo HS
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 18 player in South Carolina and No. 117 offensive tackle by 247 Sports.
Kobe Williams
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 336
Aberdeen, Miss. | Amory HS
Consensus three-star recruit … No. 23 overall player from the state of Mississippi and No. 58 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247 Sports … Mississippi Class 4A Second Team All-State selection by Prep Redzone Mississippi … Selected to play in Mississippi / Alabama All-Star Game.
Jonathan Young
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 286
Orland Park, Ill. | Victor J. Andrew HS | Iowa Central CC
Consensus three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 3 JUCO offensive tackle recruit in the country by On3 and No. 6 by 247 Sports … Saw action for Iowa Central in both 2022 and 2023.
The Memphis Tigers will face Iowa State in the 65th AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Friday, Dec. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl are on sale now through the Memphis Ticket Office online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or via phone at (901) 678-2331.
By purchasing through Memphis Athletics, fans are guaranteed to be sitting with other Memphis fans in the Tiger section (Sections 117-123), helping enhance the national perception of Memphis Tiger Football and directly helping support the athletic department financially.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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