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Julian Barnett followed Grant Gunnell's eyes and stopped before jumping and grabbing a one-handed interception during Memphis' preseason football scrimmage Saturday. The highlight stood out in the one-minute clip the Tigers' football Twitter account released Monday. It also was a reminder of Barnett's introduction to fans in the spring game with an interception. During an interview after the practice, the sophomore cornerback yelled, "Julian Barnett is here!" The brash welcome made it easy to forget he had been on campus for three months. So why is the Michigan State transfer turning heads with his play? Maybe it's his personality and presence. "He brought another energy that we need in the back end," cornerback Jacobi Francis said. "He talks just like me. He has fun out there. He brings the swag. Everything that I have myself, he just added." Barnett didn't adjust to Memphis right away. During his first practice, somebody told him to pick his energy up. He also found the Tigers' playbook harder to grasp. "Here, we run an NFL-type defense so I have to stay in the book a lot more than I used to at Michigan State," Barnett said. "Now that I'm staying in the playbook, it's helping me learn the plays and formations and recognize stuff that's going on in the field." - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#999 CB) rSr/2025

CB Julian Barnett, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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08/06/21 - Sean Dykes, rSr/2022, Memphis, 6-0, 234 (DS#7 FB) + More +

UCF received the remaining two first place votes. Memphis defeated UCF last season 50-49 in one of their biggest wins of the season and also defeated Houston 30-27 for their fifth consecutive win over the Cougars. The poll was released during the conference's media day. The Tigers were picked to finish third in the AAC in last season's poll and they did, going 5-3 in conference play to be tied with UCF. This is the lowest that Memphis has been picked in the preseason poll since they were sixth in total votes in 2016. Memphis was picked to win the AAC West for three consecutive years (2017-19) before the conference eliminated divisions in 2020. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#7 FB) rSr/2022

FB Sean Dykes, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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07/30/21 - Calvin Austin III, rSr/2022, Memphis, 5-08, 170 (DS#10 WR) + More +

Two seasons ago, Calvin Austin III hoped to make the Memphis football team as a walk-on. Now the Memphis native might be the Tigers' best returning player. Austin led the AAC in receiving yards (1,053) and touchdowns (11) last season. Both marks were top-10 nationally and helped him make the All-AAC first team. His success was noted as he made the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award (nation's best player) and Biletnikoff Award (nation's best wide receiver). But Memphis will need more production from their 5-foot-9 dynamo this season if it wants to win its second AAC championship in three years.

Austin's speed will be used on punt returns and should make him among the conference's leaders in all-purpose yards. Staying healthy is a must, of course, especially because there's limited depth behind him after Tahj Washington transferred to Southern Cal. Can Javon Ivory be a consistent No. 2 option after a solid freshman year? Are freshmen Khi Mathieu, Kobe Webster and Marcayll Jones ready to contribute after limited action last season? - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#10 WR) rSr/2022

WR Calvin Austin III, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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07/29/21 - Sean Dykes, rSr/2022, Memphis, 6-0, 234 (DS#7 FB) + More +

Sean Dykes has been at Memphis so long, it wouldn't be a shock if younger teammates called him "Mr. Dykes" or "Unc." He's caught touchdowns from Riley Ferguson, Brady White and even former All-American running back Darrell Henderson. He's been a part of two of the greatestcomebacks in school history. Now in his sixth season, the tight end can add more memories before looking to chase professional goals. "The NFL will always be there no matter what when you come out," he said in the spring. "I just wanted to take advantage of a great opportunity." He's already the Tigers' all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end. But can Dykes build on a career-best season (47 catches, 581 yards, seven touchdowns) and finally be the all-AAC caliber player he's hinted at becoming?

Why is Dykes important? Dykes is one of the few proven skill position players returning on offense. As the Tigers' second-leading returning receiver, he should be a favorite target for whoever wins the starting quarterback job. However, Dykes has struggled with inconsistent play. Last year, he had two games with over 100 receiving yards and two games with just one catch. It's been a trend since he arrived where he'll have brilliant performances scattered among quiet ones. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#7 FB) rSr/2022

FB Sean Dykes, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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07/24/21 - JJ Russell, rSr/2022, Memphis, 6-0, 227 (DS#38 ILB) + More +

There were two reasons Memphis linebacker JJ Russell wanted to return after the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He wanted to put more film on tape to help his chances of playing in the NFL. But he was also unsatisfied with how last season unfolded despite the Tigers going 8-3 and winning the Montgomery Bowl. "In my head, I didn't really achieve the goals that I set out. And that was to bring back the old Memphis defense that won games here," Russell said. The Tigers' defense often played a supporting role in past years. This season, they'll have to step up to starring role with an offense searching for a new quarterback and lead running back, Memphis will need to lean on its defense early and often.

But for Russell, a three-year-starter, it's pressure he doesn't mind for his senior season. The Tigers' defense, which returns eight starters, was ranked 45th in the country last season - their highest ranking since 2015. Those numbers have to match early while the Tigers break in a new quarterback. Russell was second on the team with 58 tackles and he'll help lead the linebacker corps with fellow senior Thomas Pickens. Russell, however, wasn't worried about the burden placed on his unit or on him. "Knowing that we're all experienced makes it easier. That trust is there. That trust is already built because a lot of our guys have experience," he said. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#38 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB JJ Russell, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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07/22/21 - Dylan Parham, rSr/2022, Memphis, 6-3, 313 (DS#3 C) + More +

Three years ago, Dylan Parham was settling into his first season on the Memphis offensive line after being recruited at tight end. Now he's the most tenured member of the group. Parham is still getting used to being a veteran voice instead of learning from past linemen like Drew Kyser or Dustin Woodard. "I'm definitely just trying to learn how to take the lead role. Use what the older guys taught me in the past and just plan on being more vocal," Parham said this spring. "That's a goal for me this year. Displaying how to be a leader and be more open." The junior is moving to right guard after starting at right tackle last season. It's another part of the changing Tigers offensive line that added three transfers, including left tackle Devontae Dobbs. But if the Tigers' line play improves this season, Parham - the only guaranteed starter, per coach Ryan Silverfield - will be a key reason why.

Parham started at left guard from 2018-19 before moving to tackle and now is back as an interior lineman. With 39 games under his belt, he's the anchor the Tigers will rebuild the line around with at least three new starters. The shakeup is needed after Memphis was the third-worst rushing team in the AAC last season (145.18 yards per game). Parham also added more weight, going from 285 pounds last season to 304 this spring. The added weight fits the Tigers' plan to be more physical this season under second-year offensive line coach Jim Bridge. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#3 C) rSr/2022

C Dylan Parham, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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07/21/21 - Devontae Dobbs, rJr/2024, Memphis, 6-4, 295 (DS#999 OG) + More +

One of the reasons Memphis' offense was prolific from 2017-19 was due to great line play. But the Tigers lacked firepower in 2020 and the offensive line struggled as well. Now the line will be revamped in 2021. Gone is left tackle Obinna Eze, who started all 25 games over two seasons but has transferred to TCU. Who replaces him will be critical with the Tigers in the middle of a quarterback competition. That's where Devontae Dobbs comes in. The Michigan State sophomore transfer saw some reps at tackle in spring practice and is the leader to replace Eze, one of the highest-rated recruits in program history. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Dobbs didn't play in 2020 after playing four games, with one start, in 2019. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#999 OG) rJr/2024

OG Devontae Dobbs, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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06/06/21 - Brian Thomas Jr., rSr/2022, Memphis, 6-3, 310 (DS#999 OG) + More +

Memphis junior offensive lineman Brian Thomas has entered the transfer portal, according to Rivals. Thomas, a former three-star recruit, didn't play in the 2020 season. He appeared in three games in 2019 and started at left tackle in the Cotton Bowl during the Tigers' loss to Penn State. Thomas committed to the Tigers in 2018 while at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Memphis added several offensive linemen this offseason via the transfer portal, including Devontae Dobbs from Michigan State. The Tigers also have Austin Myers from TCU and Jakari Robinson from Cincinnati, both of whom enrolled this summer. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2022

OG Brian Thomas Jr., Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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06/05/21 - Ryan Glover, rSr/2023, Memphis, 6-1, 208 (DS#56 QB) + More +

The Bears picked up some experience in the QB room with the grad transfer of former Penn and Western Carolina QB Ryan Glover on Friday. Glover was was on campus Thursday to get a thorough tour of everything and also had a chance to visit his grandma and other family members in the evening. "Everything was super nice," said Glover. "Obviously it's a step up from what I'm used to with Cal being a Power-5 school. Everything seemed very new and organized and I liked how they had all the football facilities in one place." Already holding a degree from Penn, the chance to add a certificate in Business Administration and Management from Cal, as well as play a season under the tutelage of longtime former NFL offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was too hard for Glover to pass up. "Coach Musgrave has been recruiting me the most over everybody," said Glover. "I'd say he's a very smart, intellectual guy. He has experience with his playing and coaching in the NFL. Just having that type of guy on the staff and being able to be coached by someone like that will take my game to the next level, which is one of the reasons I chose Cal." - Bear Insider

(DS#56 QB) rSr/2023

QB Ryan Glover, Memphis
News Source: Bear Insider
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05/19/21 - Jyaire Shorter, rSr/2025, Memphis, 6-1, 218 (DS#218 WR) + More +

Shorter emerged as one of UNT's top offensive playmakers in 2019 when he caught 24 passes for 473 yards and nine touchdowns. The hope heading into the 2020 campaign was that Shorter would continue to capitalize on his considerable potential. The Killeen native is one of the fastest players on UNT's roster and is a matchup nightmare due to his size at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. Those hopes went unfulfilled after Shorter suffered a leg injury in the third week of the season that kept him out the remainder of the year. Shorter will have the chance to return to form this fall and will be key to UNT's reload at wide receiver after losing Jaelon Darden to the NFL. - Denton Record

(DS#218 WR) rSr/2025

WR Jyaire Shorter, Memphis
News Source: Denton Record
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05/13/21 - Brendon Lewis, rSr/2026, Memphis, 6-2, 209 (DS#21 QB) + More +

Colorado's offense is loaded with potential weapons for next season, and Brendon Lewis is doing what he can to be the guy getting the ball in their hands. After a strong spring, the freshman quarterback said he's eager to take his game up another notch this summer. "I'm going to continue to work on my accuracy and I'm going to continue to get bigger, faster and stronger because I know that will benefit my game greatly," Lewis said after the Buffs' spring showcase on April 30. "Mainly my accuracy, footwork, lower body. I'm going to just keep in the offense every day so when we come back like I said, it's time to work, it's time to win some games."

After graduating early from Melissa (Texas) High School and enrolling at CU in January of 2020, Lewis didn't get the benefit of spring practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, the season got pushed back and shortened, leaving the Buffs with minimal time to get ready for the season. Because he was behind the others, Lewis was never really in the competition to start, as senior Sam Noyer beat out junior Tyler Lytle. When Lytle decided after the regular-season finale to transfer, Lewis was elevated to No. 2 for the Alamo Bowl. - Daily Camera

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brendon Lewis, Memphis
News Source: Daily Camera
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05/07/21 - Brady White, rSr/2021, Memphis, 6-1, 210 (DS#13 QB) + More +

Brady White wasn't selected in 2021 draft or was signed as a free agent, but the former Memphis quarterback will start his NFL journey in Tennessee. White was invited to the Titans rookie minicamp, his family confirmed Wednesday to The Commercial Appeal. Minicamps will be held later this month. White left Memphis as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (10,215), touchdowns (90) and wins (28) after three years as the Tigers' starting quarterback. Last season, he led the Tigers to an 8-3 record in his final season, including a win in the Montgomery Bowl. He also had 486 yards and seven touchdowns in the Tigers' 50-49 win over UCF, the largest comeback in school history. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#13 QB) rSr/2021

QB Brady White, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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04/30/21 - Timothy Taylor, rSr/2022, Memphis, 5-09, 213 (DS#999 RB) + More +

Memphis junior running back Tim Taylor is in the transfer portal. Taylor was not on the roster during spring practice. In three seasons, Taylor rushed for 158 yards and scored his lone touchdown last season on a 47-yard run. He appeared in 17 games after graduating from East High School. Taylor, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, helped East win the Class 4A state championship in 2016 as a senior. The Tigers' running back room is crowded with Rodrigues Clark, Kylan Watkins, Asa Martin and Marquavius Weaver battling for the starting job. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2022

RB Timothy Taylor, Memphis
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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04/17/21 - Brendon Lewis, rSr/2026, Memphis, 6-2, 209 (DS#21 QB) + More +

More than three months after playing in the Valero Alamo Bowl, the Colorado freshman is still riding off the confidence gained from that night. With senior Sam Noyer out because of offseason shoulder surgery, Lewis has spent this spring running with the first-team offense as he competes to be the starting quarterback in the fall. "Brendon Lewis is so much further ahead at this point," CU quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf said Wednesday. "I think a lot more confidence; he had a little game experience." A 6-foot-2, 225-pound freshman from Melissa, Texas, Lewis was the third-string quarterback during the Buffs' abbreviated 2020 season.

After the five-game regular season, however, backup Tyler Lytle entered the transfer portal - and eventually transferred to Massachusetts - and Lewis was elevated to second string for the Alamo Bowl. Although the Buffs lost to Texas, 55-23, in that game on Dec. 29 in San Antonio, Lewis came off the bench to lead them to three touchdowns. "Going in (to the season), it was definitely hard coming in and getting adjusted to everything," Lewis said. "I just had to get adjusted to the speed of the game, and I think that whole half-season that we had really helped me, like going through practice, learning from coach Langsdorf and (head coach Karl) Dorrell, (offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini). Then, when I got in that game, I felt like I was ready." - Daily Camera

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brendon Lewis, Memphis
News Source: Daily Camera
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04/12/21 - Simeon Blair, rSr/2024, Memphis, 5-10, 203 (DS#61 SS) + More +

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and receiver Trey Knox are in agreement about the type of player Simeon Blair is. A former defensive back and quarterback at Pine Bluff High School who threw for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns, Blair appears to have found a fit in the Razorbacks' secondary. And he hasn't been one to shy away from contact this spring. Pittman raved about the redshirt junior's confidence and playmaking after Arkansas' second scrimmage last weekend. He broke up two passes and came away with an interception on a ball he laid out for after it was tipped by freshman receiver Jaedon Wilson.

He has made an impression on Knox. In his six-plus minute interview with reporters on Thursday, the receiver twice labeled Blair a great player. "He will not hesitate to hit you," he added. "The boy is smart. He reads his keys. I mean, he's calling out plays just off of our alignment that we run, and they're jumping routes and they're over there making plays." Blair finished with 23 tackles in 2020 and broke up a pair of passes against Georgia in the season opener and at Mississippi State. His push to becoming a consistent piece in the back end of the Razorbacks' defense can be credited, in large part, to the work he has put in behind the scenes. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#61 SS) rSr/2024

SS Simeon Blair, Memphis
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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