Mike Norvell speaking with reporters at his weekly press conference. He mentioned he was disappointed in the loss to Tulane.
The University of Memphis football team’s head coach Mike Norvell spoke with the media Wednesday afternoon to provide a deeper look at the football team’s 2019 recruiting class. Following the end of National Signing Day, Memphis added seven new signees to the 15 players they’d already signed in December.Â
Norvell explained to the media the excitement he has for this year’s class.
“I’m really pleased with the group of young men we were able to bring together,†Norvell said. “It’s a class that addressed a lot of specific needs, and we thought that by bringing in a nice combination of youth and some guys who are a little further along in their careers that we could make our overall team better.â€
Defensive linemen
A clear emphasis for the Tigers’ recruiting was adding to their defensive line. With Adam Fuller taking over as the team’s new defensive coordinator, the unit is now moving from the 3-4 into the 4-3.Â
They added five players, with all of them being ranked as three-star recruits. Though Norvell spoke on the talent of all of them, he said he believes junior college transfer Wardalis Ducksworth has a chance to make an impact early in his Memphis career.
“He (Ducksworth) is here on campus and has done a wonderful job with his movement,†Norvell said. “He’s an extremely long athlete, 6-foot-4, 250 pounds and he’s already gained over 10 pounds since he’s been here. I think he’s got the versatility to play across the board which gets me excited.â€
Defensive backÂ
They got most of their commitments from the defensive back position, signing six players to help their defensive backfield. The additions provide much-needed depth for their evolving secondary and include some of the nation’s most sought-after talents. The highest-rated prospect they signed was junior college transfer safety Rodney Owens Jr.. Memphis was previously interested in Owens when he was graduating high school in 2017.
“We recruited him extremely early in the process coming out of high school,†Norvell said. “To be able to get him back here to campus and to make him a part of the program, I think he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be fun to watch and see how he competes.â€
Wide receiver      Â
Offensively, the team earned the services of three of the South’s most underrated receivers that have one important thing in common: height. Each receiver is 5-foot-11 or taller, giving the Tigers’ group some much-needed height on the outside. Along with All-American Athletic Conference receiver Damonte Coxie, Memphis will now boast one of the conference’s taller receiving groups.
They players are versatile because they played all over the field during their time in high school. Norvell has previously stated his team was built for playmakers, and he sees that for all of the new receivers, especially Cameron Baker.
“Cam is such a special talent but even a better young man,†Norvell said. “When we had our mega camp, he was probably the guy that stood out to me the most. Everything that he did, he did at a high level, and he was absolutely set on going out there and performing at an elite level. I was able to go to one of his high school games, and he was the best player on the field.â€
Quarterback
Despite already having their starting quarterback in tow, the Tigers still recruited the position and landed Alabama passer Sheldon Layman. Layman was unable to play his whole senior season because of injury, but Norvell had already seen plenty from him and was impressed by his play.
“I think Sheldon is a very talented young man,†Norvell said. “He was an all-state performer as a junior and battled some injuries his senior year. He played at a very high level. He’s a great leader, extremely accurate and has a big arm that can push the ball down the field. He’s going to be a fun young man to coach, and I’m excited about getting him in here.â€
The official signings from National Signing Day were wide receivers Baker and Javon Ivory, defensive backs Austin Jones, Owens and Jashon Watkins-Perkins, linebacker Ja’Len Sims and defensive lineman Kajuan Robinson.
