Mike Norvell continued his unprecedented recruiting run at the University of Memphis by landing wide receiver Da’Monte Coxie, a former LSU commit, who will be taking an academic redshirt during the 2016 season and is expected to be eligible for the 2017 season.
Norvell landed the highest rated recruiting class in Memphis football history with his 2016 class, and his 2017 class is currently ranked 21 spots higher, according to 247Sports composite team rankings.
Coxie, a three-star recruit who held offers from Alabama, Florida and LSU, among others, is eager and anxious to get on the field but most importantly help the Tigers on the receiving end.
“We can all be better and improve on our game, and that’s what is going to help us in the long run,” Coxie said. “I’m looking forward to going out there and proving myself.”
Coxie will be able to help Tigers receiving coach David Johnson’s unit because of his length and speed. Coxie comes in at 6-foot-3, 175 lbs. and has really quick feet, which will be useful when Riley Ferguson, who was recently named the Tigers starting quarterback, is out looking for him.
“I look forward to playing with [Ferguson] and see how we could grow together,” Coxie said.
Coxie will have to prove himself in order to be given playing time, but he’s prepared and ready for the challenge.
When Coxie came to the U of M, he immediately fell in love with the environment and looked forward to working with coach Norvell.
Coxie said he thinks Norvell will guide him in the right direction toward his dream to one day make it to the NFL.
“He’s a smart man and definitely knows what he is doing,” Coxie said. “He puts pressure on me because he wants me to be great.”
Despite Coxie once holding offers from multiple high-level SEC schools, he understands he will have to work his way into the rotation at Memphis.
“Nothing will be given to me on this team,” Coxie said. “In fact, on this team, you earn everything, so I would have to work hard to prove my work.”
This season, the Tigers will return three of their top four pass catchers from a season ago in Anthony Miller, Phil Mayhue and Roderick Proctor, and all three can play on the 2017 team if they choose to do so — meaning the Tigers will have a deep receiving core in 2017. Adding Coxie to that mix only strengthens the depth.
The Tigers will kick off the season September 9 against Southeast Missouri State at the Liberty Bowl.
