Strengthening the defensive line

It’s almost easy to forget that Memphis’ 2019 recruiting class could have ended up differently based on changes within the program in December.

In one week, coach Mike Norvell lost both coordinators and one of his top recruiters in tight ends coach Will Hall. He also ended speculation on his future at Memphis by using Twitter to announce he’d return for a fourth season.

With Norvell and his staff regrouping, they were able to keep together the highest-rated class in program history according to 247Sports’ average ratings. They also addressed several key needs.

Improving the secondary

Memphis added six defensive backs, adding depth to an area that became a liability by end of this past season due to injuries.

John Broussard, who transferred from Auburn, has a strong chance to replace Tito Windham at cornerback as a former fourstar recruit.

Rodney Owens, a safety at Iowa Western Community College, helps shore up a position that struggled once starter La’andre Thomas missed most of the season with an injury.

“He’s a really instinctive quarterback of the defense,” said Barton Simmons, 247Sports’ director of scouting. “For a defense that could’ve used a few more stops last year, I think that’s the type of kid that has a chance to come in and provide maybe some immediate stability on the back end.”

Another player to watch is Jashon Watkins. Memphis struggled defending taller receivers last season and with Watkins’ size (6-foot-4), he’ll get first looks in the secondary but could also be moved around the field because of his athleticism.

“To get a guy with that size, that speed, you don’t have those come around that often,” Norvell said. “

Norvell wanted to add more explosiveness at defensive line, especially with new defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s aggressive scheme that produced 42 sacks at Marshall last year.

The Tigers added five more linemen, including the two highest-rated members of the class in Cole Mashburn and Jalil Clemons. Masburn, Everitt Cunningham and Wardalis Ducksworth are already enrolled.

Defensive tackle Kajuan Robinson is 6foot-2 and 300 pounds. Cunningham had 13 sacks at East Mississippi Community College this past year and chose the Tigers over offers from Tennessee and UCF.

“(Cunningham is) probably one of the most explosive guys on the defensive front that we’ve had the ability to recruit,” Norvell said. “That was one of those signing day surprises (because) he was choosing through a couple of really good options.”

Nashville pipeline

Norvell and offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield have said that when they arrived following the 2015 season, not a single player on the roster was from Nashville.

Flash forward to 2019 and the Tigers will have six Nashville natives when fall camp opens. Memphis added three more in Watkins, Owens and linebacker Joseph Honeysucker.

“We’ve worked hard to make our presence felt in the middle of the state,” Silverfield said in December. “We’ve made it our priority and we’re working harder and hope to continue bringing young men from that area to Memphis.”

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Other key additions

Offensive lineman Matt Dale (Hinds Community College) was another surprise from the early signing period. With the Tigers needing to replace three starters on the offensive line, Dale (6-6, 320) adds depth at tackle with Obinna Eze and Scottie Dill.

Memphis signed only one running back, but Rodrigues Clark could help right away. The Starkville, Miss., native averaged over seven yards a carry as a senior and adds size (6 feet, 200 pounds) to a young backfield behind Patrick Taylor.

“He has the physical maturity to come in and help us but we’ll see how he progresses,” Norvell said of Clark.

Norvell also signed several players who had Power Five offers. Besides Cunningham, Clemons flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Memphis. Sims turned down offers from Auburn and Louisville.

Considering the staff change over the past two months, the biggest compliment of this class that they were able to not just keep it together but hold on to players who had bigger offers.

“That’s the evolution for any Group of Five program. Playing good football, recruiting at a high level and then when you can start beating major programs on players, I think it does validate what you’re doing on the field,” Simmons said. “The success isn’t surprising because ultimately Mike Norvell is the face of that program and the face of the success.”

You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_b) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal .com