Tigers Add 16 to 2023 Recruiting Class

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield announced the addition of 16 student-athletes to the Tigers’ 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday. With the announcement, Memphis’ class stands at 38 players including the 22 that were announced on Dec. 21, 2022.
 
The class includes 16 high school seniors, 15 Division I transfers and seven junior college players. The group consists of 16 offensive players, 20 defensive players and two specialists.
 
In total, the class features 38 players from 14 different states – six from Tennessee, six from Georgia, six from Texas, three from Florida, three from Mississippi, three from Alabama, three from Louisiana, two from Ohio and one each from Arkansas, Kansas, California, Virginia, New York and Oklahoma.
 
Among the signees are nine defensive linemen, seven defensive backs, six offensive linemen, four linebackers, three wide receivers, three tight ends, three running backs, one quarterback, one kicker and one punter.
 
DB Mailk Feaster, OL Marcus Henderson, DL Josh Ellison, WR Demeer Blankumsee, DB Simeon Blair, DL Adarious Jones, RB Blake Watson, LB Chandler Martin, WR Tauskie Dove, DB Jaylen Johnson, DL Jaylen Joyner, RB Ke’Travion “Bull” Hargrove, P Reid Bauer, OL Xavier Hill, TE Brendan Doyle, LB Chatavies Johnson, OL Chris Morris, DL Derick Hunter Jr., TE Jamauri Chislom, WR Marcello Bussey, QB Harris Boyd, LB Karmelo Overton, OL Malachi Breland, OL Parker Peterson and DB Trevor Walton have all enrolled this spring for the Tigers.
 
FEB. 1 SIGNEES
Jarra Anderson
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 260
Katy, Texas | Paetow HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked No. 44 defensive tackle in the country and No. 112 overall player in Texas by ESPN … First-team all-district selection in 2021 after totaling 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in eight games … Named 2020 District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore … Helped lead Paetow to 5A state title in 2021.
 
Simeon Blair
Defensive Back | 5-10 | 208
Pine Bluff, Ark. | Pine Bluff HS | Arkansas
Played in 46 games for Arkansas from 2019-22, earning 22 starts … Totaled 135 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and 11 passes defended … Started all 13 games in 2022, registering 73 tackles, two tackles for loss and five passes defended … Team captain … Two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll … Varsity letterwinner at Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas as a quarterback and defensive back … Threw for over 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns on 102 completions, averaging 182.3 yards per game, helping the Zebras to the second round of the 2016 Centennial Bank State Playoffs.
 
DeMeer Blankumsee
Wide Receiver | 5-10 | 185
Cincinnati, Ohio | Winton Woods HS | Toledo
Played in 25 games from 2020-22 for Toledo … Totaled 57 receptions for 677 yards and four touchdowns … Had 41 catches for 512 yards and three scores in 11 games in 2022 … Reeled in 16 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown in 12 games in 2021 … Three-star prospect and the No. 23-ranked prospect in the state of Ohio according to 247 Sports in 2020 … Four-year letterwinner … Helped lead his team to an OHSAA Division II State Championship Game berth in 2017 and a semifinal appearance in 2018 … Won 37 games in his four years as a varsity football player at Winton Woods … Earned All-Ohio honors in 2019 from the Ohio Prep Sportswriter’s Association (OPSWA).
 
Harris Boyd
Quarterback | 6-2 | 195
Rowlett, Texas | Rowlett HS
Three-year starter at Rowlett High School … Suffered an injury, ending his 2021 season … Bounced back as a senior in 2022, starting all 10 games.
 
Marcello Bussey
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 175
Junction City, Kan. | Junction City HS | Hutchinson CC
Played 20 games for Hutchinson Community College from 2021-22 … Had 44 receptions for 455 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 … Totaled six receptions for 69 yards and two scores in 2021.
 
Tauskie Dove
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 197
Denton, Texas | Ryan HS | Missouri
Played in 42 games with 19 starts for Missouri from 2019-22, totaling 86 receptions for 1,164 yards and three touchdowns … 2020 SEC Academic Honor Roll … In 2022, played all 12 games with 10 starts, reeling in 16 catches for 240 yards and a score … In 2021, played in all 13 games with nine starts, registering 38 receptions for a team-best 576 yards … In 2020, saw action in 10 games, totaling 30 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns … Three-star prospect in 2018 … At Ryan High School, he recorded 58 catches for 939 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2017, preceded by junior-year numbers of 74 catches, 1,161 yards and 16 scores.
 
Brendan Doyle
Tight End | 6-4 | 255
Gilroy, Calif. | Monte Vista HS | College of San Mateo
Earned 2022 Region 1 All-State honors at College of San Mateo … Totaled 16 receptions for 253 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 … Played in one game in 2021, reeling in a seven-yard reception.
 
Josh Ellison
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 300
College Station, Texas | A&M Consolidated HS | Blinn College | Oklahoma
Played in 37 games, earning six starts from 2020-22 at Oklahoma … Totaled 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass defended over three seasons with the Sooners … Four-star junior college recruit by 247Sports and ESPN … Rated the No. 8 junior college prospect in the country by 247Sports … Ranked the No. 2 junior college defensive tackle by 247Sports and ESPN … Rated the No. 2 junior college prospect in Texas by 247Sports … Recorded 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery in his one season at Blinn College.
 
Malik Feaster
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 190
Toccoa, Ga. | Stephens County HS | Jacksonville State | Florida State
Played in 45 games since 2018 season for both Jacksonville State and Florida State … In four seasons at Jacksonville State, appeared in 41 games with 19 starts, totaling 118 tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 27 passes defended and three interceptions … Set a school record and tied the NCAA FCS record with a 100-yard fumble return his final year at Jacksonville State … Saw action in four games at Florida State in 2022, posting one tackle in win over Boston College … Made 32 tackles and two interceptions while totaling 234 all-purpose yards his senior year at Stephens County … Also played basketball and participated in sprints and jumps in high school … Earned bachelor’s degree in integrated studies from Jacksonville State.
 
Ke’Travion “Bull” Hargrove
Running Back | 5-11 | 195
Ruston, La. | Ruston HS | Mississippi State
Played in five games over two seasons at Mississippi State … Four-star prospect in 2021 … Rated as the No. 15 running back in the country and No. 10 in Louisiana according to 247Sports.com … As a junior, he ran for 1,537 yards and scored 20 touchdowns … Helped Ruston to the Louisiana 5A state quarterfinal appearance as a junior … Missed several games in the middle of his senior season with a knee injury.
 
Marcus Henderson
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 303
Memphis, Tenn. | Memphis University School | Arkansas
Played in nine games from 2020-22 for Arkansas … Played in five games during his freshman season, primarily on special teams … Redshirted in 2021, appearing in two games … Played in three games for the Razorbacks in 2022 … Four-star prospect in 2020 … Rated as the No. 6 offensive guard in the country and sixth-ranked prospect in the state of Tennessee by ESPN … Slotted in ESPN’s Top 300 at No. 164 … Four-year varsity letterwinner at Memphis University School in Memphis, Tennessee … Blocked for an offense that racked up 3,192 yards, including 1,665 on the ground in 2019, producing 46 total touchdowns with 29 rushing scores … Also recorded 22 tackles on defense, including six tackles for loss and two sacks … Helped the Owls to a 10-2 overall record as a senior, reaching the semifinals of the Class 3A-II Tennessee state playoffs … Propelled the Memphis University School offense to 4,079 yards of total offense during his junior season in 2018, blocking for a passing attack that racked up 2,762 yards and 26 touchdowns, with 25 scores coming from the ground game … Was a member of the state runner-up team in 2018, falling in the Class 3A-II title game.
 
Jaylen Johnson
Defensive Back | 6-1 | 211
Cincinnati, Ohio | La Salle HS | Ohio State
Played one game for Ohio State in 2022 … Missed the 2021 season due to injury … Four-star recruit in 2021 … Ranked the No. 9 overall recruit in Ohio and No. 19 safety in the country by ESPN … Named to the 2020 Ohio MaxPreps all-state football team … GCL co-Defensive Back of the Year … First-Team Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Division II All-Southwest District selection … As a junior in 2019, was a Division II second-team all-state selection and helped La Salle win a state championship, its fourth in six years.
 
Adarious Jones
Defensive Line | 6-4 | 300
Virginia Beach, Va. | Bishop Sullivan HS | Texas A&M

Played in 17 games at Texas A&M from 2019-22, totaling 14 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 tackles for loss … Four-star recruit in 2019 … Ranked as the No. 22 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 7 overall player in Virginia by Rivals.
 
Jaylen Joyner
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 262
Jacksonville, Fla. | Jones HS | Florida Atlantic
Played in 38 career games at Florida Atlantic from 2018-22, totaling 89 tackles, 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, two passes defended and two fumble recoveries … Three-star recruit in 2018 … Named of the Central Florida Super 60 … Played in the Central Florida All Star Game, Adidas Rivals Camp, Nike Open Orlando and Under Armour All-Star Camp … As a senior, racked up 55 tackles (10 solo), seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles … As a starting junior, totaled 77 tackles (20 solo), 11 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles … As a starting sophomore, tallied 85 tackles (25 solo), 18.5 sacks, 93 yard “pick 6” touchdown return, countless tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
 
Alex Raynor
Kicker | 5-11 | 190
Kennesaw, Ga. | Harrison HS | Georgia Southern
Played in 36 games over three seasons at Georgia Southern … Made 45-of-59 field goals and 107-of-110 extra points … 2022 Fourth-Team All- Sun Belt by Phil Steele … 2022 Honorable-Mention All-Sun Belt … 2020 Third-Team All-Sun Belt by Pro Football Focus … Three-time Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll … Finished as the top scorer in the Sun Belt with 103 points scored in 2022 … Went 18 for 20 on field goals with a long of 46 yards … Was 49 for 50 on PATs … In 2021, made 9-of-14 field goals with a long of 44 yards and converted 21-of-22 extra points … In 2020, made 18-of-25 field goals with a long of 47 yards … Hit 21-of-22 PATs … At Harrison High School, was a first-team all-state kicker by the Georgia Sports Writers Association … Went 51-for-54 on PATs and 4-for-7 on field goals as a junior as well … Named 6-AAAAAA All Region Second Team … Also played soccer for two seasons … Father, Christian, played football at Florida State.
 
Walter Samuel
Running Back | 6-0 | 200
Gonzales, La. | East Ascension HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 67 running back in the nation and the No. 37 overall player in Louisiana by 247Sports.
 
DEC. 21 SIGNEES
Reid Bauer
Punter | 5-11 | 206
Magnolia, Texas | Magnolia HS | Arkansas
Played in 48 games at Arkansas from 2018-22, averaging 42.0 yards on 179 punts … Had 49 punts downed inside the 20-yard line … 2021 Peter Mortell Holder of the Year … Earned a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking and was ranked the No. 14 punter in the nation in 2018 … 2017 Texas All State Honorable Mention Punter … Named to the All-Greater Houston second team by the Houston Chronicle for his senior year performance … Participated in the Blue-Grey All-American game in Jacksonville, Florida … First Team 2016 20-5A All-District Punter … Recorded 27 punts as a senior in 2017, traveling a distance of 1,115 yards for an average of 41.3 per kick … Pinned 10 kicks inside the 20-yard-line, while hitting a career-long 62 yards … Totaled 29 punts the year before over 12 games, averaging 38.9 yards per kick after accumulating 1,127 yards overall … Hit a season-long 56-yard punt and dropped nine inside the opponent 20-yard line … Also played outside linebacker for the Bulldogs, racking up 83 total stops, 50 solo, with 11 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks during his high school career … Second Team 2016 20-5A All-District Linebacker.
 
Malachi Breland
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 340
Laurel, Miss. | Laurel HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 126 interior offensive lineman in the country and No. 34 overall player in Mississippi by 247Sports … Named to 2022 MHSAA First-Team All-State … Selected for 2022 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
 
Jamauri Chislom
Tight End | 6-2 | 260
Jackson Gap, Ala. | Dadeville HS | Hutchinson CC
Played in 13 games at Hutchinson Community College from 2020-22, totaling five receptions for 40 yards … In eight games in 2022, had five receptions for 40 yards.
 
Cevan Edwards
Defensive Line | 6-4 | 280
Atlanta, Ga. | South Atlanta HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 124 defensive lineman in the country and No. 104 overall player in Georgia by 247 Sports … Named Honorable-Mention 6-2A All-Region by Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Recorded 111 total tackles in the last two seasons. … Had three sacks, three caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior … Also played tight end and offensive tackle and returned punts … Recruit Georgia All-State pick as a junior.
 
Tyson Edwards
Defensive Back | 6-2 | 180
Nashville, Tenn. | Overton HS
Three-star recruit …. Ranked the No. 123 safety in the country by ESPN and the No. 39 overall player in Tennessee by Rivals … Invited to the Nashville All-American Bowl … Also lettered in basketball.
 
Xavier Hill
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 318
Olive Branch, Miss. | Olive Branch HS | LSU
Played in six games over three seasons at LSU with a pair of starts … Three-star recruit in 2020 … Ranked as the No. 19 guard in the country and the No. 5 overall player in Mississippi by Rivals … Represented Mississippi in the 2019 Mississippi-Alabama Football Classic.
 
Derick Hunter Jr.
Defensive Line | 6-5 | 265
Fort Myers, Fla. | Dunbar HS | Texas A&M | Hinds CC
Ranked the No. 6 in 247Sports junior college composite rankings and No. 3 among JUCO defensive linemen … Played at Texas A&M from 2019-21, seeing action in 18 games, totaling four tackles and one tackle for loss … In 2022, played at Hinds Community College, totaling 27 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery in eight games … Four-star recruit in 2019 … Ranked No. 257 in the ESPN 300 … Also ranked as the 18^th defensive tackle in the country and 40^th overall player in Florida by ESPN.
 
Chatavies Johnson
Linebacker | 6-1 | 215
Little Elm, Texas | Braswell HS | Navarro CC
Played 26 games in three seasons at Navarro Community College … 2022 Second-Team JUCO All-America selection … In 2022, had 92 tackles, one sac, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception and one pass breakup … In 2021, totaled 60 tackles, one sack, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick … In 2020, had 20 tackles and two tackles for loss.
 
Jayden Marable
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 290
Smyrna, Tenn. | Smyrna HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 190 defensive lineman in the country and No. 75 overall player in Tennessee by 247Sports … Named 2022 Region 6-6A defensive line MVP … Two-time all-region selection.
 
Chandler Martin
Linebacker | 6-0 | 215
Lithonia, Ga. | Arabia Mountain HS | East Tennessee State

Played 14 games in two seasons at East Tennessee State … 2022 Freshman All-America honoree … Led team with 99 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2022 in 10 games … In 2021, totaled three tackles and one tackle for loss in four games … Named to SoCon Honor Roll in 2021 … Started varsity for three seasons at Arabia Mountain HS, playing both linebacker and running back … Finished with 108 tackles in 2019. Including 15 tackles for loss … Named 2019 All-State by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association … Recorded 12 or more tackles in nine game during senior year, while also leading the team in rushes and rushing touchdowns … Twice named All-Dekalb County First Team (2018 & 2019) and was the 5AAAAA Runner Up Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 … Twice tabbed to the Region 5AAAAA First Team (LB) in 2018 and 2019 … 2019 Nike Opening Atlanta Region Combine MVP with a score of 122.97 … Competed in the 2018 Rising Seniors Bowl, starting at linebacker … Led his team to the 2017 Region 5AAAAA championship and played in the 2017 Offense/Defense Bowl … Honor Roll student each of his four years in high school.
 
Chris Morris
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 290
Memphis, Tenn. | West Memphis HS | Hutchinson CC
Ranked No. 10 junior college transfer and No. 4 offensive tackle by 247Sports … In 2020, was a four-star recruit … Ranked 55^th overall player in the country, No. 1 guard and No. 1 overall player in Tennessee by Rivals … Selected to Commercial Appeal’s Dandy Dozen … Played three games at Hutchinson Community College in 2022 … Signed with Texas A&M out of high school but did not play for the Aggies.
 
MarJayvious Moss
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 180
Shreveport, La. | Northwood HS
Four-star recruit … Ranked the No. 36 cornerback in the country and No. 16 overall player in Louisiana by 247Sports … Ranked the No. 28 safety in the country by ESPN … First-Team All-City by Shreveport Times in 2021.
 
Donovan Nevils
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 260
Franklin, Tenn. | Battle Ground Academy
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 189 defensive lineman in the country by 247Sports and the No. 44 overall player in Tennessee by Rivals … Three-time all-region selection and an all-state honoree … Totaled 24 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in 2021 … Selected for the 2022 Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic.
 
Karmelo Overton
Linebacker | 6-0 | 214
Ozark, Ala. | Carroll HS
Four-star recruit … Ranked the No. 8 inside linebacker in the country and No. 20 overall player in Alabama by Rivals … Selected to the 2022 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Team captain … National Honor Society.
 
Parker Peterson
Offensive Line | 6-7 | 280
Alpharetta, Ga. | Alpharetta HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 149 offensive lineman in the country and No. 159 overall player in Georgia by 247Sports … 22022 first-team all-region … 2021 second-team all-region … Team legacy award.
 
Christian Ross
Tight End | 6-4 | 225
Midland City, Ala. | Dale County HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 44 weakside defensive lineman in the country and the No. 31 overall player in Alabama by Rivals … Two-time all-state selection … 2022 Offensive team MVP … 2021 team MVP … Had 30 receptions for 478 yards and three touchdowns, along with 53 tackles in 2021 … Also lettered in basketball and baseball, earning second-team all-state baseball honors in 2022.
 
Isaiah Thomison
Linebacker | 6-3 | 230
Fayetteville, Tenn. | Fayetteville HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 123 linebacker in the country and the No. 48 overall player in Tennessee by 247Sports … Finalist for the 2022 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award … Semifinalist for the 2022 1A Mr. Football award … Selected to play in the 2022 Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic … 2021 TFCA All-State pick.
 
Marcus Tillman, Jr.
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 235
Orlando, Fla. | Jones HS | Texas | Navarro College
In 2022 at Navarro College, totaled 48 tackles, seven sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in seven games … At Texas from 2019-21, played in six games, totaling four tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack … Named to Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll on two occasions … Four-star recruit in 2019 … Ranked as the as the No 243 overall player in the country, No. 19 overall outside linebacker and the No. 38 overall player in Florida by ESPN in 2019 … Selected to play in the 2018 Central Florida All-Star Game … Named All-USA Florida second team … Helped Jones to a 10-2 overall record, including a 3-0 district mark and district title and an appearance in the 5A regional semifinal playoffs in 2018 … In 2017, helped Jones to a 10-2 overall record, including a 4-0 district mark and district title, and an appearance in the 5A regional quarterfinal playoffs … Began his high school career at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, playing there as a freshman and sophomore … Registered 58 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception as a sophomore … Helped Dr. Phillips to 12-3 overall record, including a 4-0 district record and district title, and an appearance in the 8A state title game in 2016.
 
Trevor Walton
Defensive Back | 6-1 | 175
Horn Lake, Miss. | Horn Lake HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 163 cornerback in the country and No. 41 overall player in Mississippi by 247Sports … 2022 first-team all-region.
 
Blake Watson
Running Back | 5-9 | 195
Queens, N.Y. | Green Hope (NC) HS | Old Dominion
Played in 33 games with 24 starts at Old Dominion from 2018-22 … Ran for 2,144 yards on 398 attempts for 14 touchdowns at ODU, while also reeling in 60 receptions for 448 yards and three scores … Eclipsed 100 rushing yards in nine games … 2022 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention … 2021 All-Conference USA Honorable Mention … 2019 All-Conference USA Honorable Mention … 2019 Conference USA All-Freshman Team kick returner … In 2022, started all 11 games at running back he played in … Rushed 159 times for 921 yards and five touchdowns … Caught a single-season ODU running back record 37 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns … Rushed 19 times for an ODU school record 259 yards and three touchdowns in the win at Coastal Carolina … In 2021, earned 10 starts in 11 games … Had 215 carries for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns, all led the team … Set the ODU single-season record for carries with 215 … Finished fifth in Conference USA with 1,112 yards and 101.1 yards per game … Finished 22nd in the country with 101.1 yards per game and 36th in the country with 1,112. yards … Set a school record with five-straight 100-yard rushing games … In 2019, appeared in 11 games with three starts … Led ODU with 828 all-purpose yards and 75.3 all-purpose yards per game … Led Conference USA with 26.4 yards per kick return … Rushed 25 times for 119 yards and one touchdown … Had 106 receptions for 1,885 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career at Green Hope … Two-time Tri-6 All-Conference honors … Helped Green Hope to a 10-3 record, Tri-6 Championship and advance to the state quarterfinals … Earned All-American honors in track and field.
 
Traveon Wright
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 175
Perry, Ga. | Perry HS
Three-star recruit … 2AAAA GHSA Athlete of the Year … Helped Perry win three regional titles … Took part last summer in the Power 15, a showcase featuring the top defensive backs in Georgia … Played on a three-time regional championship team.
 
Landon Zaldivar
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 310
Jenks, Okla. | Jenks HS
Three-star recruit … Ranked the No. 96 guard in the country by ESPN and the No. 20 overall player in Oklahoma by 247Sports … Helped lead Jenks HS to back-to-back 6A-1 state titles his sophomore and junior seasons … Three-time offensive lineman of the week honoree.
 
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