Memphis Tigers have Rough Day, Lose Three Class of 2017 Recruits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Thursday, October 27, 2016 might be a day most Memphis fans choose to forget about when looking at the 2017 recruiting class. A development started in the morning when four-star wide receiver Nick Robinson decommitted, which was bad enough. But the day got worse. So far the Tigers have suffered two more deflections with safeties Marcus Mays and Gervarrius Owens announcing they are re-opening their recruitment.
If there is a silver lining with Mays and Owens change of heart, Memphis is well stocked in the secondary in the 2017 class with four safeties and four cornerbacks still committed. Recruiting rankings are not the end all be all, but the class has taken a hit dropping from No. 28 per Rivals after Robinson’s decommitment to No. 34 with the loss of Mays and Owens.
Mays, who has eight reported offers, committed to the Tigers on June 27. The Edison High School talent posted his decision on Twitter:
Owens committed the day after Mays but has become the fifth decommitment for Memphis’ 2017 class.
247Sports dinged the Tigers standing at No. 37 overall after Robinson’s decommitment to No. 40, but still second best in the AAC. The newfound flexibility in the class could open up spots at wide receiver, defensive tackle, linebacker, and along the offensive line.
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 Alec Long, 5-11, 203, Liberty Tech Magnet, Jackson, TN
SS Malik Smith, 6-2, 200, Sheffield HS, Sheffield, AL
CB TJ Carter, 5-10, 180, Stratfor Comprehensive, Nashville, TN
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 John Dale, 6-6, 300, Kemper County, De Kalb, MS
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 Willie Wright, 5-8, 155, Raines HS, Jacksonville, FL
K Riley Patterson, 5-11, 170, Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, IL
Decommitted
TE Damien Degruy, 6-3, 220, West Jefferson HS, Harvey, LA
WR Nick Robinson, 6-3, 205, Putnam City West, Oklahoma City, OK
SS Marcus Mays, 6-1, 175, Edison HS, Tulsa, OK
SS Gervarrius Owens, 6-1, 190, Southmoore HS, Moore, OK
Photo credit: tulsaworld.com; No. 11 Marcus Mays runs down a ball carrier.