Tigers’ Perry, Hurst to enter the transfer portal
Two Memphis football players entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. Senior linebacker Josh Perry and sophomore defensive back Troy Hurst announced their decisions on Twitter.
Perry, who played in 35 total games, was a safety in his first two seasons before switching to linebacker last season. He struggled in his new role, appearing in eight games with just two tackles.
Perry started five games as a freshman in 2017 and 13 games in 2018, finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 65. He has one year of eligibility left.
“I would like to thank God and Coach (Mike) Norvell for giving me the opportunity to attend and compete at the University of Memphis,” Perry wrote in his statement. “Also I want to thank all the guys I played with who has made an impact on my life.”
Hurst appeared in 10 games last season as a freshman, making two tackles. He was a three-star recruit from Louisiana when the Tigers signed him as part of their 2018 class.
The Tigers have plenty of depth at linebacker with returning starters JJ Russell and Thomas Pickens along with returners Tim Hart, Keith Brown and Xavier Cullens. Memphis also has depth in its secondary led by returning starters TJ Carter, Jacobi Francis, La'andre Thomas and Sanchez Blake.
Four players have left the Tigers this offseason. Wide receiver Kundarrius Taylor, who signed with the Tigers this fall, announced he entered the transfer portal in May.
Freshman defensive lineman Joseph Honeysucker, who redshirted last season, left after retiring from football, coach Ryan Silverfield said.