Thursday evening, Memphis added its seventh commitment of the month with the addition of defensive end Jalen Charles. The 6’4″ 230-pound rush end chose Memphis over offers from Cal, Navy, Tulsa, Arkansas State, and others. A 5A-1 Region III First Team All-District selection in 2022, Charles lived in the backfield most of his junior season, racking up 60 total tackles with 13 TFLs and 8 sacks along with 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and a safety.
Charles’s game film displays an impressive use of hand placement and a high motor. He takes good angles on the pursuit and uses his long frame to swallow up the ball carrier. Like several other commitments in the 2024 class, he’s an under-the-radar prospect that Memphis will likely have to continually recruit as more programs make contact closer to early signing day.
Charles will come to Memphis from a strong football program at Manvel High School (Texas). In recent years, the school has produced high-profile names like D’Eriq King and Kyle Trask. Charles is the Tigers’ third commit from the State of Texas and the eighth overall pledge of the 2024 class.