Offense
The quarterback position sees multiple transfers join the program. Denzel Gardner (Southern Miss), Air Noland (South Carolina), and Marcus Stokes (West Florida) will battle it out. Stokes was a finalist for the D2 Harlon Hill Trophy last season, throwing for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also can run the ball well.
The running back room also sees new faces. The additions of Manny Covey (Cincinnati), Dallan Hayden (Colorado), Jaylin Carter (Southern Miss), and true freshman Eric Perry and Jordan Thompson form a solid unit. Expect the backfield to have a committee approach as all these guys bring something to the table.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Brady Kluse and Bryce Dorsey. The additions of Alante Brown (Michigan State), Terrell Timmons Jr. (Colorado), Tychaun Chapman (Southern Miss), Jermane Hayes (Southern Miss), Jamyri Davis (Kansas State), Stanka Burnside (Mississippi State), and tight end Hunter Tipton (Middle Tennessee State), among others, are key.
The offensive line room returns some experience in Parker Mitchell and Jonathan Young. The additions of Skyler Grant (Old Dominion), Brain Grant (Tennessee), Koby Keenum (Mississippi State), Riley McGehee (Arkansas State), Maarten Woudsma (Old Dominion), Carde Smith (Colorado), Aaron Karas (Colorado State), Phillip Gray (Richmond), and Xavier Allen (Bucknell) are crucial to this unit’s success.
Defense
The defensive line room is very transfer heavy. Taylor Burton returns with experience. The additions of J’Mari Monette (Indiana), Jabari Ishmael (Southern Miss), Devan Lowe (Georgia Southern), KJ Miles (Temple), Amir Leonard-Jean Charles (Southern Miss), Xavier Miles (Charlotte), Elijah Kinsler (Southern Miss), J’Mond Tapp (Southern Miss, All-SBC), Jaden McKinney (Southern Miss), Stone Chaney (Michigan State), Joseph Head Jr. (Mississippi State), and Justin Wallace (Western Carolina) are massive.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Tylon Nash. The additions of Mike Montgomery (Southern Miss, All-SBC), Christian Thatcher (Utah), Jayden Parrish (Florida State), Zach Ruffin (Southern Miss), Trey McDonald (Virginia), and true freshman Elijah Fernandez form this into a solid unit.
The secondary returns some experience in Chauncey Logan Jr. and Jordan Bell. The additions of Anthony Richard Jr. (Southern Miss), Ellis Ellis Jr. (Austin Peay), Ahmere Foster (Southern Miss), Khalil Foster (Southern Miss), Ian Foster (Southern Miss), Dylan King (Southern Miss), Darius Malcolm Jr. (Wofford), and Dylan Smith (Oklahoma State)are huge.
Specialists
The Tigers see all new faces here. The kicking role should belong to Coastal Carolina transfer Phillippe LaForge. Punting duties will belong to Alabama State transfer Harrison Tuck. Southern Miss transfer Ian Foster is an elite kick returner.
2026 Schedule
- 8/29 at UNLV
- 9/5 Arkansas State
- 9/12 at Bosie State
- 9/19 UT Martin
- 10/3 at Charlotte
- 10/10 UAB
- 10/16 at Tulane
- 10/22 East Carolina
- 10/31 Army
- 11/12 at South Florida
- 11/21 at Navy
- 11/28 Temple
Final Analysis
Charles Huff is a great coach who has won everywhere he has been. Memphis seems like the perfect fit for him. This roster is brand new, but a lot of these guys followed Huff from Southern Miss. There is hope for things to click and the Tigers can compete for an American Conference Championship.
