In a recent CBS Sports feature highlighting the most impactful transfer portal classes among Group of Five programs, the Memphis Tigers earned the No. 2 spot, trailing only James Madison. For a program that lost nearly every starter from its 2024 defense and one of the most decorated quarterbacks in school history in Seth Henigan, the acknowledgment is not only timely—it’s essential. The Tigers aren’t just reloading for 2025. They’re aggressively rebuilding a contender with national ambitions.
Coming off a historic 11-win season and a Scooters Coffee Frisco Bowl victory over West Virginia, Memphis faced the daunting task of replacing a near-complete roster overhaul. Almost every defensive starter from last season’s opener is gone. However, rather than view that reality as a setback, head coach Ryan Silverfield and his staff embraced the challenge. The Tigers have welcomed more than 30 new players to the roster through a focused transfer portal strategy and a strengthened NIL framework.
A New Era at Quarterback
The most immediate question surrounded the quarterback position with the departure of Henigan, Memphis’ all-time leading passer. To fill that void, the Tigers turned to former Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis, a seasoned veteran with five years of college football experience. Lewis, a strong dual-threat option, brings mobility and leadership to a Memphis offense known for its explosiveness. While his passing game still needs refinement, he has shown steady improvement over the past two seasons and enters 2025 with the tools to keep Memphis’ offense dynamic and unpredictable.
Defense Rebuilt from Top to Bottom
Perhaps no area saw more transformation than the defense. Memphis did not return a single starter from the 2024 season opener, which meant hitting the portal was not optional—it was vital. And the Tigers delivered.
Headlining the defensive newcomers is A.J. Pena, an FCS All-American edge rusher from Rhode Island who posted an eye-popping 12.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss last season. Pena figures to be a game-changer for a Memphis front seven looking for star power. He’ll be joined by other high-upside transfers such as Rayyan Buell from Colorado and Marcus Burris Jr. from Indiana, bringing Power Four experience and much-needed physicality to the defensive line.
Memphis added more talent in the secondary, such as Omarion Cooper (Florida State) and Chauncey Logan Jr. (James Madison). Cooper brings ACC experience and size, while Logan’s performance at JMU (1 INT, three pass breakups) signals a rising trajectory.
Built on Momentum and NIL Investment
Memphis’ strong portal haul didn’t happen in a vacuum. It results from three critical factors: on-field success, program stability, and a growing NIL infrastructure. The Tigers’ 11-2 record in 2024, their fifth straight bowl win, and the emergence of FedEx as a major NIL partner all contributed to making Memphis an attractive landing spot for talented transfers looking for a competitive environment and meaningful playing time.
Ryan Silverfield and his staff have been able to sell the vision: Memphis isn’t just a stepping-stone program; it’s a place where players can win, develop, and reach the next level. That message has resonated with a new wave of Tigers hungry to keep the program’s momentum alive.
What Comes Next
The challenge now is meshing over 30 new players into a cohesive unit. Chemistry, especially on defense, will be crucial early in the season as Memphis opens against Chattanooga and faces a tough non-conference test against Arkansas. But if the pieces come together quickly, there’s every reason to believe Memphis can contend in the AAC and stay on the national radar.
The Tigers may not have reached the College Football Playoff or AAC title game in 2024, but they made a strong case as one of the country’s most stable and upward-trending Group of Five programs. With one of the best transfer portal classes in the nation and a proven infrastructure, Memphis enters 2025 not as a rebuilding team but as a dangerous, reloaded contender with unfinished business.
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