University of Memphis Athletics
Signing Class Fulfills Needs for Tigers
Feb 04, 2015 | Football
2015 Signing Class Capsules & Multimedia2015 Memphis Football Signing Class 
Justin Fuente Signing Day Quotes
The University of Memphis football program was able to take care of essential needs and continue to balance its numbers for the future as Tigers head coach Justin Fuente announced Wednesday that a group of 30 student-athletes have signed either National Letters of Intent or admission agreements.
From coming off a 10-3 conference title season to a victory in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl to the American Athletic Conference’s television package with ESPN, Memphis’ coaching staff was able to take advantage of several factors and momentum heading into recruits’ homes and current schools.
“The trophies and ability to see the games on television validates the hard work that the kids before them have put in,” Fuente said. “Slowly we are building a brand and reputation. The kids talk about our different uniforms and our looks. They talk about seeing us play in the Liberty Bowl and how that looks along with the way we play the game. I think all of that resonates with those kids.”
The 2015 signing class of 30 includes eight student-athletes who were midyear signees or transfers who have already enrolled at the University of Memphis and are attending classes this spring. Those players are already in the midst of off-season training and will take part in the team’s 15-date spring camp which begins on March 1st.
One of the team’s voids was on the offensive line and Memphis’ midyear additions include three linemen – Louisville graduate transfer and Memphis native Ryan Mack who has one year of eligibility, along with incoming freshmen Keenen Davis from Horn Lake, Miss., and Drew Kyser from Opelika, Ala., who both graduated early. Munford’s Brytain Peddy will join the program following spring graduation.
“We finally have our offensive line at least balanced out,” Fuente said. “In terms of seniors, juniors and sophomores, our numbers are back up there and in a much healthier situation. We still have a lot of development to go there. From just a pure numbers standpoint, I think we helped ourselves with the kids and the type of players that we brought in.”
Memphis also boosted its numbers in terms of skill players. The signing class includes four wide receivers, two running backs, two quarterbacks and three players currently listed as athletes.
Running back signees Darrell Henderson and Jamarius Henderson were named Parade All-American Honorable Mention earlier in the week. To put the recognition in perspective, three players were named Parade All-American. Darrell Henderson and Jamarius Henderson were two of four running backs named Parade All-American Honorable Mention.
Darrell Henderson, who played for South Panola High School in Batesville, Miss., was named the 2014 Gatorade Football Player of the Year for the state of Mississippi by USA Today High School Sports. He helped South Panola to its 11th state championship and a No. 7 national ranking in 2014. He rushed for 2,253 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior.
Jamarius Henderson was one of three finalists for Alabama’s 2014 Mr. Football as selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He set a single-season state record, rushing for 3,483 yards in 2014. Henderson had 48 touchdowns, three scores shy of another state record. He helped lead Dale County High School to the Class 3A state championship game, rushing for 1,465 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 postseason games.
“We want to run the football,” Fuente said. “Running the football helps your defense play better, helps your quarterback play better, helps your offense play better and it’s just a huge part of what we are trying to do. There is some talk in our offices about getting more than one of those guys on the field at the same time, maybe not this year but in the future. There is certainly no rule against getting more than one of those guys out there on the field.
“I have enjoyed recruiting those two kids. They are really good, hard-working humble kids that are anxious to be Tigers.”
Defensively, Memphis lost eight senior starters and a total of 11 seniors off the two-deep from 2014.
The Tiger coaching staff’s evaluation and recruiting process led to the signing of 10, front-seven players – seven defensive linemen and three linebackers. Memphis also signed three defensive backs.
“We have been trying the best we can to plan for this day ahead of time. Regardless of how it worked out, we were still going to need to sign a good group of front seven players in this class,” Fuente said. “That’s what we did. Guys are going to have opportunities to play early as everybody will, but just from a numbers standpoint, they will be in the two-deep rather quickly.”
Among the group of defensive linemen, the Tigers already have two on campus in midyear transfers Michael Edwards, a defensive tackle out of Iowa Western Community College and DeMarco Montgomery, a defensive end who transferred to Memphis from East Mississippi Community College.
Fuente also said he was proud of regional diversity of the signing class. Memphis signed seven student-athletes who are either from Memphis or West Tennessee. The Tigers also have made in-roads in Alabama and signed six from the state along with three players from Mississippi.
