Ryan Silverfield and his staff have been hitting the recruiting trail hard over the last month and have landed a number of incoming freshmen, JUCO signees and transfers from the portal. Coach Silverfield spoke to the media last week and said he expects 80% of their current commitments to sign during the early signing period. The Tigers class is currently ranked first in the AAC and 52nd nationally by Rivals and 60th overall in the country by 247Sports which is 3rd in the current AAC behind UCF(52nd) and SMU(54th).
Derick Hunter Jr and Karmelo Overton are currently the two highest rated commits for Memphis, according to 247sports, and are expected to sign Wednesday. Hunter and Overton are also expected to enroll early and be on campus in January to start winter workouts. The Tigers have made the defensive side of the ball and adding size to both sides of the line of scrimmage this recruiting cycle. The Early Signing Period runs from Wednesday to Friday this week, we will keep you updated on all the signees for the Tigers
MEMPHIS’ 2023 EARLY SIGNING PERIOD SIGNEES (LIVE UPDATES)
8:21 a.m. – Three-star defensive lineman Donovan Nevils (6’3, 255) has signed his NLI for the Tigers. Nevils was the 8th commitment to Memphis back in June of 2022. Nevils adds solid size upfront for the Tiger’s defensive line. The Nashville native holds an offer from the Naval Academy, and Arkansas State.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1607 overall No.176 DL
School: Battle Ground Academy – Nashville,TN
9:40 a.m. – Three-star linebacker Marcus Tillman Jr. (6’1 235) has signed with the Tigers after committing, decomitting and then finally recommitting to the Tigers the Orlando,FL native becomes one of the first signees for Ryan Silverfield and staff. Tillman is the first of several linebackers expected to join the Tigers in this class.
247Sports JUCO composite ranking: No. 61 overall No. 6 LB
Rivals ranking: No. 21 national
School: Navarro College
9:50 a.m. – Three-star cornerback Traveon Wright (6’0 177) has signed his NLI for the Tigers. Wright is a native of Perry, Ga and looks to add immediate depth to the defensive back room.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1607 overall No.140 CB
School: Perry HS – Perry,GA
10:00 a.m. – Three-star linebacker Karmelo Overton (6’0 200) becomes the second LB to sign for the Tigers in the early signing period. Overton is the Tigers second highest rated recruit by 247Sports and chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Arizona St, Mississippi St, Missouri and Tennessee among others. Overton has great athleticism and has the speed to make plays sideline to sideline. Overton is also expected to enroll in January which will give him a great opportunity to add some size to his frame heading into the spring.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 610 overall No. 54 LB
School: Carroll HS – Ozark,AL
10:22 a.m. – Three-Star athlete Tyson Edwards (6’2 175) has officially signed with the Tigers. The Nashville native plays both cornerback and wide receiver. If the Tigers elect to play Edwards in the secondary he would add much needed size and become a great matchup for larger wide outs the Tigers face.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1499 overall No. 134 ATH
School: Overton HS – Nashville, TN
10:30 a.m. – Three-Star offensive lineman Malachi Breland (6’3, 340) has signed his NLI to play for the Memphis Tigers. Beefing up the offensive line has been a priority for this staff and Breland delivers the beef! The BIG man held offers from the likes of Jackson State, Missouri, Texas and Tulane.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1260 overall No. 93 OL
School: Laurel HS – Laurel,MS
10:44 a.m. – Three-Star athlete Christian Ross (6’4 215) has signed his NLI to play for the Tigers. The Midland City, AL native will play tight-end for Ryan Silverfield and staff. He held offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi St and Tulane among others.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1273 overall No. 110 ATH
School: Dale County – Midland City, AL
10:49 a.m. – Three-star offensive lineman Landon Zaldivar (6’5, 300) signed his NLI to play for the University of Memphis. Like Breland, Zaldivar adds some SERIOUS size to the offensive line. Landon is BBQ’s worst nightmare so Memphis is a perfect fit for the Jenks, OK native.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 2032 overall No.160 IOL
School: Jenks HS – Jenks, OK
11:02 a.m. Three-star defensive back Trevor Walton (6’1 170) signed his NLI to make the trip up I-55 to play for the Memphis Tigers. Walton was the first player in this class to sign with the Tigers. Originally unranked at the time of his commitment, Walton has climbed the rankings to become a top 40 player in the ‘Sip.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1730 overall No.149 CB
School: Horn Lake – Horn Lake, MS
11:19 a.m. – Three- star linebacker Isaiah Thomison (6’3, 230) has signed his NLI for the Memphis Tigers. The Fayetteville, TN native played linebacker in high school but will likely project as a rush end for the Tigers. Another piece with great size that Ryan Silverfield and staff have added to the roster.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1623 overall No.143 LB
School: Fayetteville – Fayetteville, TN
11:26 a.m – Three-star offensive lineman Parker Peterson (6’6, 275) has signed his NLI. The Tigers continue to add a ton of size to their offensive line. The Alpharetta native possesses a long, lean frame ready to bulk and add size to prepare for his collegiate career.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1674 overall No.134 OT
School: Alpharetta – Alpharetta, GA
11:35 a.m. – Three-star defensive lineman Jayden Marable (6’2, 280) has officially signed his NLI to join the Memphis Tigers. The Smyrna native joins Tyson Edwards and Donovan Nevils on their move from the 615 to the 901.
247Sports Composite ranking: No.1805 overall No. 189 DL
School: Smryna HS – Smryan,TN
11:44a.m. – Three-star defensive lineman Cevan Edwards (6’3, 280) has signed his NLI. Edwards, one of a handful of new Tigers coming from the Peach state, was holding multiple power 5 offers before deciding Memphis was the home for him.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 1623 overall No. 179 DL
School: South Atlanta – Atlanta, GA
12:32 p.m. – Unranked tight end, Jamauri Chislom (6’2, 250) has signed his NLI to play for the Memphis Tigers. Chislom played sparingly at Hutchison hauling in 5 catches for 40 yards. Chislom chose Memphis as it was not only close to home, but he knew he could develop his skills while wearing the blue and gray.
12:38 p.m. – Unranked linebacker CJ Johnson (6’2 225) has signed with the Tigers. Johnson played along side fellow Tiger signee and linebacker Marcus Tillman Jr. at Navarro College. The duo look to continue reeking havoc together in the blue and grey.
247Sport Composite ranking: N/a
School: Navarro College
12:45 p.m. – Three-star offensive lineman Chris Morris (6’4, 290) has signed his NLI to come home and play for the Memphis Tigers. Morris originally played at Texas A&M with fellow new Tiger Derick Hunter Jr before transferring to Hutchison Community College.
247Sports Composite JUCO ranking: No. 21 overall No. 7 OT
School: Hutchison Community College
1:05 p.m. – Old Dominion transfer running back Blake Watson has signed to play his last season with Coach Silverfield and the Tigers. Watson was a two-star WR coming out of high school and rushed for 2,033 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two years with the Monarchs.
247Sports Composite ranking: N/A
School: Old Dominion
1:11p.m. – ETSU transfer linebacker Chandler Martin (6’0 210) has signed his NLI. Martin was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection and led Buccaneers with 99 total tackles including 9.5 tackles for a loss. Martin adds depth and speed to the linebacker position for Matt Barnes defense.
247Sports Composite ranking: No. 3556 overall No.222 OLB
School: ETSU
1:20 p.m. – Four-star cornerback MarJayvious Moss (5’11, 180) has signed his NLI to play for your Memphis Tigers. Moss, a Shreveport native, signed with the Tigers while holding offers from serious programs such as Baylor, Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Vanderbilt and more. Per 247Sports, Moss is in the top 10 highest rated players to ever sign with the University of Memphis.
247Sports composite ranking: No. 367 overall No. 36 CB
School: Northwood HS – Shreveport, LA
1:29 p.m. – Former Arkansas punter Reid Bauer( 5’11 200) has signed with the University of Memphis. With the departure of Joe Doyle, Bauer will step in and take over punting duties right away for the Tigers. Bauer average 44.6 yard per punt with a long of 78 yards this season for the Razorbacks.
247Sports Composite ranking: N/a
School: Arkansas
1:37 p.m. – Former three-star and LSU offensive line transfer Xavier Hill (6’3 325) has signed with Memphis. Hill was ranked as the No. 483 overall player and No. 26 overall guard coming out of high school. Hill was in the mix to start for LSU this season but ended up playing in only three games for the Tigers. This a massive get for Ryan Silverfield and staff as they continue to #BEEFup the line of scrimmage.
247Sports composite ranking: No. 483 overall No. 26 OG (Class of 2020)
School: LSU
5:53 p.m. – Three-star juco DL Derick Hunter (6’4 310) is the last signee for Ryan Silverfield and staff on Wednesday. Hunter spent two seasons at Texas A&M before moving to Hinds CC. “Rambo” adds a ton of #BEEF to Barnes’ defensive line and will be a great addition next to fellow big man Cam’Rom Jackson. Hunter chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Colorado, FSU, Miami, Mississippi St. Nebraska and Texas.
247Sports Composite JUCO ranking: No. 10 overall No. 2 DL
School: Hinds CC
Day one of the early signing period closes with Ryan Silverfield and staff signing 22 guys to their #WildThing23 class. The defensive side of the ball and offensive line were the top priority for the staff and they have delivered. Signing day rarely goes without a few surprises, both good and bad, and today had it’s share. The biggest surprise of all was the signing of four-star CB MarJayvious Moss, Moss becomes the 8th overall highest ranked recruit to ever sign with the Tigers and should be able to help the secondary almost immediately. After a couple of unfortunate last minute flips ( Javious Bond, Kaleb Black and Harvey Broussard) Memphis’ class ranks 66th overall (1st in the AAC) by 247Sports and 62nd overall ( 1st in the AAC) by Rivals. Footballscoop.com listed Memphis as the top overall G5 signing class over UTSA, Tulane, SMU and Boise St.