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Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Frank Bonner II and Tim Buckley each week.
The grind never stops in football recruiting.
Fans haven’t even gotten the chance to see any of the 2023 transfers or high school recruits in action yet, and the Tigers are already landing commitments for the 2024 class.
It doesn’t take long for next year’s recruiting cycle to start making noise once the current class begins wrapping up. The commitments appear to start rolling earlier each year.
The Tigers made their first splash for the 2024 class with their first commitment on May 25 before landing two prospects on Sunday and another one on Tuesday.
Offensive lineman Taccofah Lewis, from Pearl High School in Mississippi, was the first recruit to verbally commit to the Tigers’ 2024 class. All four of the 2024 commitments are listed as three-star prospects by 247Sports.
Memphis landed a quarterback in Arrington Maiden from College Station, Texas on the same day that running back and Marietta, Georgia native MaKari Bodiford announced his commitment.
The Tigers landed multiple defensive back transfers and high school recruits for the 2023 class, and they already have their first defensive back in the 2024 class. Cyrus Reyes, from Katy, Texas, committed to the Tigers on Tuesday.
Another position group the Memphis coaching staff likes to stack up on is the running backs.
The Tigers have Sutton Smith, Jevyon Ducker, Blake Watson, Brandon Thomas and Ke’Travion Hargrove all looking to compete for playing time this season. Memphis also has three freshmen running backs and Watson is the only running back on the roster who will have exhausted his eligibility after this season. Now, they’ve already got a running back committed to the 2024 class.
The possibility of athletes entering the transfer portal makes it difficult to project how many players will still be in a certain position group in future years. The Tigers, however, have brought in three transfer running backs in the last two years. Their recruiting tendencies show they’re committed to investing in the run game.
More from your Insider:
Tennessee transfer Cameron Miller is now at his father Cedric’s alma mater, but his main reason for joining the Tigers is having a chance to get on the field.
Big 12 commissioner speaks to ESPN about a reported trip to Memphis by conference officials.
“It’s not news that the Tigers need to find their way into the Big 12. But I think it’s fair to say that Memphis has never needed that spot more than it does at this very moment.”
Adam Walker is headed back to his alma mater after spending more than a decade with the Memphis Tigers.
Former LSU football and baseball player Maurice Hampton Jr. announced his transfer to Memphis on Friday. The MUS grad spent the 2022 and 2023 baseball seasons at Samford University.
Due diligence trip from Big 12 commissioner comes as the Tigers remain under consideration for a Power 5 invite.
Massive Cullen Montgomery joins the Tigers after spending two seasons with the Sooners.
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