2016-2017 Memphis Tigers

[kwc]

Breaking down the Tigers: Offensive linemen

 

Memphis offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn, here blocking for former Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch, is a returning starter but in a new position -- right tackle.

Posted: July 29, 2016

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

The University of Memphis football season is fast approaching, with players scheduled to report Aug. 3 and open the season a month later against Southeast Missouri State. So we're breaking down the 2016 Tigers, position by position, with projected starters, newcomers to know and other summer tidbits. In part five of our nine-part series, we look at the offensive line.

Projected Starters: Gabe Kuhn (R-Jr.), Drew Kyser (So.), Lio Lafaele (Jr.), Christopher Roberson (R-Sr.), Trevon Tate (R-So.)

Returners: At first glance, it seems like this should be an area of strength for Memphis, with four of five starters returning. But in reality, it’s not that simple. Two of the team’s top returners, Tate and Kuhn, are switching positions to left and right tackle, respectively. Both are extremely talented, but it may take some time for them to feel completely comfortable at their new spots. And both of the guard positions are in flux. Roberson did well at left guard late in the year, but Zach Collins had a strong spring and is competing for a starting job. A host of others -- Jace Neville, Nick Thomas and former tight end Scottie Dill, among them -- return to battle for backup roles. Neville was particularly impressive in the spring and summer and could earn a starting spot down the road.

Newcomers: Lafaele, a junior-college transfer from California, will enter fall camp as the team’s starting right guard, but he has not yet won the job. A second transfer, former Missouri signee Harneet Gill, could earn playing time at tackle, if he can stay healthy. He was held out of spring ball with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Dustin Woodard and Jonathan Timmons are two incoming freshmen to watch. Woodard, a center, is unlikely to supplant Kyser but could carve out a role in reserve.

The Skinny: It will be interesting to see how this unit comes together during fall camp and performs early in the season. Taylor Fallin, who is now in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, started 33 games at left tackle over the past three seasons. He was one of the offense’s most underrated players. Replacing him will not be easy. Tate has the frame and athleticism to excel at that spot, but will he be comfortable there right away? How will the guard positions shake out? And does Memphis have enough depth on the line to remain effective if injuries occur?

 

Edited August 1, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Breaking down the Tigers: Defensive linemen

 

October 31, 2015 - Memphis defensive lineman Donald Pennington (right) brings down Tulane quarterback Jordy Joseph (left) during second quarter action at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

Posted: July 30, 2016

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

The University of Memphis football season is fast approaching, with players scheduled to report Aug. 3 and open the season a month later against Southeast Missouri State. So we're breaking down the 2016 Tigers, position by position, with projected starters, newcomers to know and other summer tidbits. In part six of our nine-part series, we examine the defensive line.

Projected Starters: Christian Johnson (R-Jr.), Donald Pennington (R-Sr.), Ernest Suttles (R-Jr.)

Returners: This might be Memphis’ deepest defensive position group, with Johnson, Pennington, Suttles, Jared Gentry and Michael Edwards among those returning. Johnson and Edwards each made big strides a year ago, and Pennington was incredibly steady up the middle in his first season as a starter. A torn anterior cruciate ligament sidelined redshirt senior Latarius Brady this spring, but he is already walking without a limp and the team hopes to have him back by mid-October, just in time for the stretch run. And DeMarco Montgomery may line up as a defensive end at times, though he also has enough speed off the edge to line up at the CAT position -- a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker spot -- in new defensive coordinator Chris Ball’s scheme.

Newcomers: John Tate is the highest-rated player in the Tigers’ 2016 recruiting class, according to various recruiting services, but it’s unclear what kind of role he will play as a true freshman. Listed at 290 pounds, but realistically closer to 300, his most natural fit would be nose tackle, and it will be difficult for him to supplant Pennington, a redshirt senior. Tate could earn a spot in the rotation, however, and perhaps receive more snaps as the season progresses. Jacoby Hill is also listed as a defensive end, but if he plays in 2016, it will likely be as a pass-rushing specialist out of the CAT hybrid spot.

The Skinny: Even with the injury to Brady this spring, Memphis has a ton of experience returning along the defensive front, and an exciting newcomer in Tate. Pennington was quietly superb last season and should anchor the unit again in 2016. The biggest question mark is whether this group can effectively get after the quarterback. As a group, the defensive line only accounted for 12 sacks in 13 games a year ago, with Johnson and Pennington providing more than half of them (6.5). A more consistent pass rush would likely help the Tigers generate more turnovers, which is one of their top goals for 2016.

 

Edited August 1, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Breaking down the Tigers: Linebackers

 

University of Memphis linebacker Genard Avery.

Posted: Yesterday 8:00 a.m.

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

The University of Memphis football season is fast approaching, with players scheduled to report Aug. 3 and open the season a month later against Southeast Missouri State. So we’re breaking down the 2016 Tigers, position by position, with projected starters, newcomers to know and other summer tidbits. In part seven of our nine-part series, we take a look at the linebackers.

Projected Starters: Genard Avery (Jr.), Jackson Dillon (Sr.), Shaun Rupert (R-Jr.), Shareef White (Jr.)

Returners: There’s a strong nucleus of talent here, beginning of course with Avery. The Grenada, Mississippi, native recorded three sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss as a sophomore but should dwarf those numbers in 2016. Defensive coordinator Chris Ball is going to move him all over the field and allow him to attack opposing ball carriers. White, meanwhile, showed tremendous improvement last year, including a 17-tackle performance in the Birmingham Bowl. And Dillon posted on Twitter on Thursday that he is healthy after being held out of spring ball with a leg injury. Curtis Akins, Lenard Harden, Darian Porter and Noah Robinson should all receive playing time as well — and Robinson, in particular, has shown playmaking ability in the past.

 

 

 

Newcomers: One of the most interesting questions entering fall camp is who will play the STAR, formerly known as SPUR, hybrid linebacker/safety position. Shaun Rupert, who began his college career at Missouri and sat out last year because of NCAA transfer rules, was one of several players to take reps there in the spring. But a pair of freshmen — Nehemiah Augustus and Josh Perry — will also have an opportunity to win the starting job. And they’re not the only freshman linebackers who could see playing time in 2016. MUS product Tim Hart will have a chance to carve out a role, as will Bryce Huff. Steven Enis, Hayden Ferrari and Joseph Prevost will also be in the mix after redshirting last year.

 

The Skinny: The Tigers are still in relatively good shape at linebacker despite losing two NFL-caliber players in Wynton McManis, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, and Leonard Pegues, who tried out for the New Orleans Saints. Still, depth is an area of concern. Memphis will need several young or inexperienced players to step into more prominent roles, particularly if injuries strike. Are any of the freshmen ready to play significant minutes right away? How will the depth chart shake out behind presumed starters Avery, Dillon and White?

Edited August 1, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Breaking down the Tigers: Defensive backs

 

September 19, 2015 — Memphis defensive back Arthur Maulet (right) knocks down a fourth-down pass in front of Bowling Green State receiver Roger Lewis (left) to give the Tigers a 44-41 victory in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

 

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

 

The University of Memphis football season is fast approaching, with players scheduled to report Aug. 3 and open the season a month later against Southeast Missouri State. So we're breaking down the 2016 Tigers, position by position, with projected starters, newcomers to know and other summer tidbits. In the penultimate part of our nine-part series, we take a look at the secondary.

 

Projected Starters: Jonathan Cook (Jr.), Chauncey Lanier (R-Sr.), Arthur Maulet (Sr.), Chris Morley (R-Sr.)

 

Returners: Last year, Memphis had no choice but to thrust a group of players with little or no starting experience into the starting lineup. This year, the situation is a bit different. Lanier, Maulet and Morley all return with a year of experience, more comfort in their roles. Morley, in particular, showed noticeable improvement as the year went on and eventually took over as a starting safety. Dontrell Nelson also returns after starting eight games last season, and he may very well win a starting cornerback spot again in fall camp. Jamil Collins, Kam Prewitt and B.J. Ross also return to provide additional depth at that spot. Lastly, keep an eye on Tye Northern. He won the team’s takeaway belt twice this spring and could see playing time either at safety or the STAR linebacker/safety hybrid position.

 

Newcomers: Cook is the most noteworthy addition here and should start immediately at safety. But Memphis also has four incoming freshmen in the secondary, and all of them could compete for immediate playing time. Tyrez Lindsey, Thomas Pickens and Josh Perry all bring good size at safety; Lindsey and Pickens are 6-feet-2, while Perry, who could also see time at STAR, is the team’s tallest defensive back at 6-feet-3. But perhaps the most impressive incoming defensive back this summer? Cornerback Jacobi Francis. Though a bit undersized at 165 pounds, Francis’ raw coverage ability impressed in summer drills.

 

The Skinny: This was an area of weakness for Memphis in 2015, and though it probably won’t be a strength this fall, we should see some improvement. Cook, who previously played at Alabama, looked great this spring and was all over the field. He could be the playmaker that Memphis lacked, at times, in the secondary last year. Maulet could also have a big season if he becomes more consistent in his coverage. The key with this group will be forcing turnovers. Last year, Memphis defensive backs not named Reggis Ball had just six interceptions in 13 games.

Edited August 1, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Ex-Tiger WR Mose Frazier trying to catch on with NFL

Updated: Yesterday 8:23 p.m.

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports A former walk-on at the University of Memphis out of Whitehaven High, wide receiver Mose Frazier is once again trying to show he belongs, this time as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos.

 

Denver Broncos wide receiver Mose Frazier (17) takes part in drills during the team's NFL football training camp Friday, July 29, 2016 in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Related Coverage

• Ex-Tiger Paxton Lynch building his brand in Denver
• Rookie Paxton Lynch up and down in early workouts
• Former Tigers QB Paxton Lynch learning on the job

 

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

 

DENVER — When practice ended at Dove Valley on Sunday morning, the Denver Broncos had a little bit of free time before a team weightlifting session. Some players took a few minutes to sign autographs for fans. Others visited with family and friends seated in a VIP tent along the sidelines.

 

Mose Frazier jogged over to the JUGS machine, and started catching passes.

 

"I'm living my dream," the former University of Memphis wide receiver said. "But at the same time, I can't get too overwhelmed with this. I've just got to stay focused and do what I have to do to make this team."

 

While quarterback Paxton Lynch has the spotlight and roster security that come with being a first-round draft pick, Frazier, an undrafted free agent, must distinguish himself in the preseason to remain in Denver. He is one of 12 wide receivers in training camp, and NFL teams rarely keep more than six or seven receivers, total, between the active roster and practice squad.

 

Frazier has returned punts in camp this week and worked primarily with the third-team offense. He made a diving catch on a crossing route from Trevor Siemian on Saturday and hauled in a deep throw from Lynch for a touchdown Sunday. The Whitehaven product been consistent and dependable, just as he was for Lynch in each of the past two years at Memphis.

 

"I tell Paxton, 'Quit throwing him the ball all the time,' " coach Gary Kubiak said with a grin. "But no, (Frazier) is a good kid. Works hard. He's got some skill to play. We'll see how it goes through the course of the preseason, but obviously he's a talented young man and you can see that Paxton had some talent around him (at Memphis)."

 

A former walk-on, Frazier led the Tigers with 70 catches for 797 yards and four touchdowns as a senior last season. He caught scouts' eyes as Lynch's primary target, and their chemistry was evident during Lynch's throwing session at the program's pro scouting day. Then, on the 34th throw, Frazier pulled his hamstring and limped off the field.

 

"I was kind of down," Frazier said. "I didn't know how it was going to go with me pulling my hamstring. I didn't know if teams were going to back away."

 

After the draft, Frazier said he had opportunities to sign with two teams: The Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos called first, and Frazier's agent thought it would be easier for him to adjust to life in the NFL with a former teammate in Lynch, so they quickly agreed to a contract.

 

Frazier went through rookie mini-camp and organized team activities with the Broncos before returning to Memphis for approximately a month. He caught passes from Lynch when the quarterback was in town for a charity event, and worked out at the team's facility. Believe it or not, he also went back to work at Audubon Park golf course, where he worked four mornings per week during the season.

 

"Just being smart about it," Frazier said with a shrug. "Use it as an opportunity to save more money."

 

Thus far in training camp, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has impressed coaches with his work ethic and football acumen.

 

"Mose is a very smart guy," Broncos wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said. "He plays three positions for us, moves around. He asks the right questions in the meetings, and he answers the right questions in the meetings. So he's doing all he can do with the reps he's given, to go out there and make plays."

 

Tolbert said Frazier, like most rookie receivers, needs to continue to work on his technique. Fortunately, he has the benefit of being able to learn from the likes of Pro Bowlers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Frazier said he watches film of their routes and tries to emulate them, in addition to Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer and other Broncos receivers. "I take something from all of those guys," Frazier said.

 

Because the Broncos already have a relatively accomplished receiving corps in place, Frazier knows he is most likely competing for a spot on Denver's practice squad — though that is certainly not his goal.

 

"I'm not going to limit myself to practice squad," he said. "If it ends up being practice squad, I'm fine with that, too. But my goal is to make the team."

Edited August 1, 2016 by kwc

[wingman10]

very competitive conference..I think Houston lose 3 games in reg season

[kwc]

very competitive conference..I think Houston lose 3 games in reg season

 

I agree it is a competitive conference. However, I'm pulling for Houston to have only one loss and that's against the Tigers. I'm rooting for Cincy to have only two losses ... Houston and the Tigers. I'm rooting for the Tigers to go undefeated on conference play. I think that scenario ... or something close to it gets all three into the Big 12. Let's face it ... this season ... those three teams are auditioning to become the newest members of the Big 12 next season.

[kwc]

Breaking down the Tigers: Special teams

 

Memphis placekicker Jake Elliott (middle) kicks a field goal last season against Temple.

Posted: Aug. 02, 2016

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

The University of Memphis football team will return to the practice field Thursday, so we're breaking down the 2016 Tigers, position by position, with projected starters, newcomers to know and other summer tidbits. In the final part of our nine-part series, we take a look at special teams.

Projected Starters: K Jake Elliott (Sr.), P Spencer Smith (R-Jr.), LS Trevor Morgan (Sr.)

Returners: Memphis should have one of the best special teams units in the American Athletic Conference this season, if not the entire country. Elliott, a finalist for last year’s Lou Groza Award, is among the favorites to win it this year. He’s as reliable a kicker as they come, and should break several school records held by New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski in the coming months. Memphis’ punting tandem of Smith and junior Nick Jacobs, meanwhile, has been consistently effective in each of the past two seasons, with Smith handling long-distance kicks and Jacobs pinning opponents in front of their own end zone. Not to be forgotten, of course, is Morgan, a four-year starting long snapper with an impeccable track record.

Newcomers: In the return game, several older players will get looks in fall camp, including wide receiver Anthony Miller and Roderick Proctor. But it will be interesting to see if any of the incoming freshmen -- like speedster Jahod Booker -- get a shot back there, too. Outside of any new faces in the return game, there is only one special-teams newcomer: Kicker Nigel Macauley, a sophomore who made 18 of his 27 field-goal attempts while at North Carolina Central last year.

The Skinny: Memphis knows what it’s going to get from Elliott, Smith, Jacobs and company. The more pressing question, especially for fans: Will the Tigers FINALLY be able to return a kickoff for a touchdown? The unusual drought, which we wrote about last fall, will hit the 20-year mark in November. The Tigers will have lots of talented returning options with which to end it. And, by this point, you'd have to think they're due, right?

Previous stories:

Breaking down the Tigers: Defensive backs

Breaking down the Tigers: Linebackers

Breaking down the Tigers: Defensive end

Breaking down the Tigers: Offensive line

Breaking down the Tigers: Tight ends

Breaking down the Tigers: Wide receivers

Breaking down the Tigers: Running backs

Breaking down the Tigers: Quarterbacks

Edited August 9, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Memphis football picked to finish third in AAC West

 

March 22, 2016 - University of Memphis head coach Mike Norvell runs the team's first spring football practice of 2016. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal)

Posted: Aug. 02, 2016

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

 

The University of Memphis football team has been picked to finish third in the American Athletic Conference West Division in the league's preseason media poll, which was released early Tuesday morning.

 

The Tigers received 124 points, ranking behind defending conference champion Houston (180 points) and Navy (128).

 

Memphis was picked to win the West and finish second overall a year ago.

 

The Cougars are overwhelming favorites to win the West, and the conference championship game, again in 2016, receiving 27 of 30 first-place votes from league media members. South Florida is picked to win the East, and two media members picked the Bulls to win the league. Temple received one vote to win the title.

 

The full results of the preseason media poll are below.

 

AAC East Division

 

1. South Florida (15 first-place votes): 164 points

2. Temple (9): 144

3. Cincinnati (6): 130

4. Connecticut: 89

5. East Carolina: 55

6. Central Florida: 48

 

AAC West Division

 

1. Houston (27 first-place votes): 180 points

2. Navy: 128

3. Memphis: 124

4. Tulsa: 92

5. SMU: 65

6. Tulane: 41

Edited August 9, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

New Tiger QB? Riley Ferguson says he’s up to the challenge

 

University of Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson.

 

 

 

Geoff Calkins Columnist, The Commercial Appeal

Posted: Aug. 04, 2016

He has a stock answer. Of course he has a stock answer. If you were replacing the best quarterback in Memphis football history, and if you were asked about this nearly every day, you would have a stock answer, too.

So, Riley Ferguson, what's it like to try and replace Paxton Lynch as Memphis quarterback?

"It's a blessing in disguise," he says, for roughly the 1,000th time. "Having those expectations coming in, a lot of people are going to be looking at me, but if we have a good season this year, and put up the same kind of numbers as Paxton, that just gives us a platform so people will be talking about us at the end of the year. Just winning games, really. We win more games than they did last year, who knows what could happen?"

So there it is.

Pretty good answer, too.

Just win more games than Lynch and his Tigers. Which is easier said than done.

But no man will be more important to that enterprise than Ferguson, the slim, athletic and strong-armed junior-college transfer from Coffeyville Community College who will be Memphis's starting quarterback when the team opens its season against Southeast Missouri State.

New Memphis coach Mike Norvell hasn't made that official or anything. He hasn't even said when he'll make it official.

"When there is no doubt that we have the leader of the football team, I'll make an announcement," is how Norvell puts it, which is reasonable enough.

But there's not much doubt that Ferguson has been the best quarterback since spring practice began. There's not much doubt that Ferguson's new teammates already see him as the leader of the team.

Here's running back Doroland Dorceus on Ferguson: "Riley, he's really smart. He knows the offense, he knows what everybody has to do. He can really throw the ball. He's smart, he knows ball placement, back shoulder, he knows seam routes, he knows the high safeties, he knows the safeties to look off. He knows it all. He's really smart."

Here's center Drew Kyser on Ferguson: "He can throw it, he can run, he can do it all. He excelled past my expectations. He can throw the ball a long way and it's accurate."

Here's receiver Phil Mayhue on Ferguson: "He's proven, plenty of times, that he's more than capable of making stuff happen. He's very smart when it comes to making his reads. He's got a very strong arm. You can compare him to Paxton strong. You wouldn't think he would have an arm like that, but he really does."

It all sounds highly promising, doesn't it? Maybe Memphis won't miss a beat. After all, Tennessee didn't win the national championship with Peyton Manning at quarterback. It won it the year after he left. On the other hand — to take another Manning brother — some Ole Miss fans thought Michael Spurlock was going to be able to step right in for Eli Manning. Spurlock lost his starting job after Ole Miss started 1-3.

So it can be a tricky business, succeeding a legend. Especially one who carried a team the way Lynch carried Memphis last year. It's nice to say that winning is a team effort, and all that. But Lynch was often the overwhelming reason the Tigers won or lost. If Lynch was spectacular (as he was against Kansas, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Tulsa and SMU) then Memphis would win the game. If he was mortal (as he was against Navy, Houston, Temple and Auburn), then the Tigers would lose.

The hope is that the rest of the team has improved sufficiently that Ferguson won't have to be Lynch-level brilliant right from the start of the year. And that Ferguson will be able to make enough plays in Norvell's high-tempo offense to keep the wins piling up.

By that standard, Thursday's first practice was reassuring, at the very least. Ferguson didn't hit on every throw, but he certainly didn't miss much. He looked calm and confident. He appeared to be thoroughly in charge.

"I'm completely comfortable," he said. "I can go out there and just play. I know what my reads are, I know every single play, I know my protections. I feel like I'm really good with this offense."

So that is the report after Day One of this quarterback adventure. Check back later to see how it all turns out. Will Memphis fans pine for the days of Lynch? Or will they conclude the new guy will be OK? And what will the reaction be if the Tigers really do manage to win more games than last year? As Ferguson put it, "Who knows what could happen?"

It would certainly be fun to find out.

Edited August 9, 2016 by kwc

[kwc]

Four-star offensive lineman Obinna Eze commits to Memphis over SEC schools

 

 

Davidson Academy senior Obinna Eze (right) has committed to play for the University of Memphis next year.

 

By Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal

 

The University of Memphis picked up one of the biggest recruits in the history of its football program Monday afternoon, both in terms of rating and physical stature.

 

Obinna Eze, a 6-foot-7 offensive lineman from Davidson Academy in Nashville, announced that he has committed to coach Mike Norvell and the Tigers. The consensus four-star recruit spurned offers from a dozen Southeastern Conference schools -- including finalists Alabama, Florida, LSU and Tennessee.

 

Eze is ranked as one of the top 250 prospects in the nation by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals. According to 247 Sports, he is the third-highest-rated recruit to pick Memphis since 2000, behind only 2009 junior-college defensive lineman Justin Thompson and 2001 cornerback Derron Johnson.

 

A native of Nigeria, Eze originally came to the United States to play basketball and only recently picked up football as his second sport. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association rules limited him to the junior-varsity team last year, so he still has yet to play a varsity football game.

 

“He came in as a basketball player with no knowledge of football,†Davidson Academy coach Jonathan Quinn told The Tennessean. “We threw a pass in the first game (junior varsity) last year. The guy he was blocking took off to chase the ball, and Obinna took off after him and tackled him. The referee had to tell him, ‘Hey, big guy, you’re on offense.’ He really started off from ground zero.â€

 

However, Eze's frame and footwork have stood out in camps, and he has quickly established himself as one of the top senior recruits in the state -- and one of the top offensive tackles in the Class of 2017.

 

Eze, who was primarily recruited by offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield, becomes the 21st member of Memphis' 2017 recruiting class, with National Signing Day still more than five months away. The full list is below.

 

DE Braylon Brown (Cordova, Tenn.): 2-star (247, Rivals)

ATH Zay Cullens (Ecru, Miss.): 3-star (247) | 2-star (Rivals)

E Jared Edwards (Evensville, Tenn.): 3-star (247) | 2-star (Rivals)

OL Obinna Eze (Nashville, Tenn.): 4-star (247, Rivals, ESPN)

DL O'Bryan Goodson (Batesville, Miss.): 3-star (247) | 2-star (Rivals)

CB Marcus Green (JUCO/Cedar Hill, Texas): 3-star (247, Rivals, ESPN*)

DE Elijah Harris (Jackson, Tenn.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

OL Mikhail Hill (Harvey, La.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

ATH Quindon Lewis (Moore, Okla.): 3-star (247, Rivals, ESPN)

OLB Cade Mashburn (Norman, Okla.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

S Marcus Mays (Tulsa, Okla.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

QB Will McBride (League City, Texas): 3-star (Rivals) | 2-star (247)

S Gervarrius Owens (Moore, Okla.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

WR/TE Nick Robinson (Oklahoma City, Okla.): 4-star (Rivals) | 3-star (247)

S Malik Smith (Sheffield, Ala.): Unrated

CB Tamaurice Smith (Mobile, Ala.): 3-star (247, Rivals)

RB Timothy Taylor (Memphis): 3-star (247) | 2-star (Rivals)

QB Austin Upshaw (La Porte, Texas): 3-star (Rivals) | 2-star (247)

CB Tito Windham (JUCO/Gulfport, Miss.): 3-star (247, Rivals, ESPN*)

DE Jamal Woods (Hueytown, Ala.): Unrated

WR Willie Wright (Jacksonville, Fla.): 3-star (247) | 2-star (Rivals)

 

(* -- Rankings for Green and Windham were upon leaving high school. All other players are unrated by ESPN unless otherwise specified.)

Edited August 15, 2016 by kwc

[BlackHavenSenator]

So this boy is EXTRA raw. I hope he turns into the 1st Round pick that the Staff hopes he can be