Silverfield on which Memphis transfers could immediately impact team
It was no secret Memphis football suffered key losses through the transfer portal. But the Tigers tried to balance that by making key gains from the portal as well.
Memphis signed 16 high school recruits in its 2023 class, yet it’s the 15 Division I transfers that’ll catch the most attention. Coach Ryan Silverfield, however, was pleased with how well he balanced recruiting both prep and older talent.
“We actually brought in more high school kids than transfers (and) we’re one of the few colleges that did that,” Silverfield said. “Someone said that you talked about us and said it’s a must-win season. Absolutely. They’re all mustwin seasons but reality, we brought in a lot less transfers than most of our counterparts.”
Based on prep recruit rankings, the Tigers landed the 62nd-best class, according to 247Sports, second best among non-power Five schools. At the same time, Silverfield expects some of those transfers, along with seven junior college signees, to add immediate help.
One position to watch will be in the receiving room. Memphis lost all four leading receivers from last season, including three via transfer. Two of the Tigers’ three new receivers are transfers in Tauskie Dove (Missouri) and Demeer Blankumsee (Toledo).
Dove was one of several team captains for Missouri last season and Silverfield praised both his leadership and length at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds. Blankumsee helped Toledo win the Midamerican Conference championship and junior college transfer Marcello Bussey adds depth to a group led by returners Roc Taylor and Joseph Scates.
“Losing some pass catchers, obviously we felt like we needed to replace those guys,” Silverfield said. “We felt like we did so we’re very excited about some of the guys we’ve been able to bring in. Guys that have been productive in college and will be very productive for the
Memphis Tigers.”
Memphis also got bigger on defensive line with adding Adarious Jones (Texas A&M) and Joshua Ellison (Oklahoma) along with December junior college signee Derick Hunter Jr. Both Jones and Ellison are 300 pounds and will compete at defensive tackle to fill the void with Cam’ron Jackson now at Florida.
With 38 newcomers and three new assistants, it puts more emphasis on the Tigers building chemistry in spring practice, which starts March 19. But it’s part of what Silverfield called the “new norm” where college football rosters are constantly shuffling.
Yet entering his fourth season, Silverfield feels confident that players know the program standard because he’s the main constant even as the Tigers are adding more transfers than before.
“If you’re losing 35% of your roster and 35% of your staff, guess what? There’s got to be one voice and it’s got to be mine and we got to make the culture is on path and on track,” Silverfield said.