Memphis football did not expect many surprises at the beginning of the signing period. But the Tigers got one from Mississippi.
Makylan Pounders’ three-star offensive version signed with the Tigers on Wednesday after splitting from Miss Ole on Tuesday. Pounders is Mississippi’s number one lineman through 247Sports and has been committed to the state of Mississippi for the year’s highest.
He told 247Sports that Ole Miss had stated that she did not have a position for him. That beat the Tigers, and Pounders fit one of coach Ryan Silverfield’s 15 three-star rookies.
Tiger elegance ranks 50th at the 247Sports Composite, the highest in school history, and Silverfield saw it as a sign of the show’s rise.
“In the past, you said about 10 years after Memphis would struggle to get those young people,” he said. “We have a feeling that we can pass or now, Zoom, in any space and see any kind of young guy we need and we’re going to compete with anyone. “
Supporter Andrew Jones, the class’s top-ranked rookie, signed with Memphis on donations from schools like Arizona and the state of Florida. He is one of eight defensive players who signed through the Tigers, a key wish with 8 existing starters, junior. or older.
Quarterback Seth Henigan and offensive lineman JP Martin, whether from Texas, are in open-season festival positions. As for Pounders, he and his line colleague Royce White can only help or after the 2021 season, with starting tackles Obinna Eze and Dylan Parham. being older.
“You’re talking about a huge human who can do so many things,” Silverfield said of Pounders, who measures 6 feet and 6 inches and weighs 295 pounds. “To move in the terrestrial game, (a) kind of great body that has evil with the way it plays. We believe the sky is the limit for those two tackles. “
Silverfield expects between seven and eight players to sign up in January, adding White, Henigan and closed-wing Errington McRae. Some players pointed out Wednesday, but sought to wait until National Signaling Day on February 3 to announce it, Silverfield said.
The Tigers also signed five players in the state, Brandon Warner (Ridgeway) and Greg Rubin (White Station), from Memphis. Linebacker Bryce Edmonson and defensive lineman James Stewart are from the Nashville area.
Silverfield said that while Tennessee recruitment is a top priority, the pandemic has become more vital because coaches relied on established relationships because face-to-face visits were not allowed on campus or at the rookie’s home or school.
It also helps stability after more players have entered the motion portal this season.
“Sometimes the hardest part is that a freshman on campus is away from home. And if you can have guys from that area, sometimes it does things,” Silverfield said.
Recruitment allowed for a short break in preparation for the Bowl on December 23 (6 p. m. ESPN). Silverfield said the Tigers are looking ahead to face Florida Atlantic and win a bowl game for the first time since 2014
But he also expected a longer break at the end of the season before his team returned in late 2021.
“I think on the 24th, I haven’t slept in about a year, so I’ll have an adult drink and sleep for 6-7 hours, which would be great,” Silverfield said. “Then wake up and start recruiting again. “
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