Memphis keeps 4-Star OT Obinna Eze In-State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Chalk up a big recruiting win for non-Power Five Conferences thanks to Memphis. On Monday, the Tigers hard work and recruiting efforts on offensive tackle Obinna Eze paid off when the Nashville product pledged to stay in-state.
Eze was a big part of Davidson Academy’s 7-4 record in 2015. Competing against Division-II A, Eze helped block for Kyle Gilbert’s 2,000 passing yards and helped clear the path for over 1,500 team rushing yards earning a four-star ranking along the way.
The 6-6.5, 279 pound, lineman was not short on suitors from top programs. Eze was pushing 20 offers when he committed to Memphis with teams like Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Duke, Texas A&M, Missouri, Michigan, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn, and Florida after him. The win for Memphis is even further highlighted keeping him away from both Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
Memphis now has 21 verbal commitments to their 2017 class with a very heavy emphasis on defense. Of the 21, eight players are expected to play in the Tigers defense once on campus with 13 of the commits in total expected to help stop the opposition from scoring.
Memphis Tigers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (21)
SS Zay Cullens, 5-11, 190, North Pontotoc HS, Ecru, MS
SS Quindon Lewis, 6-0, 155, Southmoore HS, Moore, OK
SS Marcus Mays, 6-1, 175, Edison HS, Tulsa, OK
SS Gervarrius Owens, 6-1, 190, Southmoore HS, Moore, OK
SS Malik Smith, 6-2, 200, Sheffield HS, Sheffield, AL
CB Marcus Green, 6-1, 181, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Miami, OK
CB Tamurice Smith, 5-9, 165, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Mobile, AL
CB Tito Windham, 5-9, 170, Northwest Mississippi C.C., Senatobia, MS
LB Cade Mashburn, 6-2, 210, Norman North, Norman, OK
DE Braylon Brown, 6-3, 227, Cordova HS, Cordova, TN
DE Elijah Harris, 6-5, 222, Liberty Tech Magnet, Jackson, TN
DE Jamal Woods, 6-3, 240, Hueytown HS, Hueytown, AL
DT O’Bryan Goodson, 6-1, 245, South Panola HS, Batesville, MS
OG Mikhail Hill, 6-3, 300, West Jefferson HS, Harvey, LA
OT Obinna Eze, 6-6.5, 279, Davidson Academy, Nashville, TN
TE Jared Edwards, 6-4, 255, Rhea County HS, Evensville, TN
RB Timothy Taylor, 5-10, 190, East HS, Memphis, TN
QB Will McBride, 6-0, 198, Clear Springs HS, League City, TX
QB Austin Upshaw, 6-1, 188, La Porte HS, La Porte, TX
WR Nick Robinson, 6-3, 205, Putnam City West, Oklahoma City, OK
WR Willie Wright, 5-8, 155, Raines HS, Jacksonville, FL
Photo credit: irishsportsdaily.com; Obinna Eze (right) surveys the defense at a camp.