Recently, the Memphis Tigers and head coach Ryan Silverfield has made monumental strides in recruiting. In the high school class of 2023, the Tigers pulled in Keonde Henry. A four-star wide receiver who came in as the fifth-best recruit in program history (in the recruiting site era). In the 2024 transfer windows, Silverfield pulled in the fourteenth-best class in the nation (Rivals).
The next step for the Tigers: is the 2025 high school class. Memphis’ 2025 class currently has zero commitments. That will likely change this weekend when Memphis football hosts a multitude of recruits for a visit down on the south campus.
Visitors of Note
Antwann “AJ” Hill Jr, QB, ’25 (4-star): A blue chip, four-star quarterback out of Houston County Georgia. Hill is the 40th best recruit in the nation according to ESPN. I wrote in depth about Hill in April when it was reported “Memphis is making a major move with 4-star QB Antwann Hill” (On3). Hill is a six-foot-five, 215-pound prospect with pro-level touch and accuracy. He’s also a fluid mover who showcases the ability to process well in the pre and post-snap. He’s been a productive player in his three-year varsity career with his best statistical season coming in 2022 when he threw for 3,663 yards, 40 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions.
On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) gives Memphis a 77.1% chance to land Hill
Peyton Joseph, OL, ’25 (4-star): Although Joseph plays a less-sexy position than his teammate AJ Hill, he is a higher-ranked recruit according to 247Sports and On3. According to Najeh Wilkins, a recruiting analyst for Sports Illustrated, “Joseph is great in pass protection and is practically immovable once he (has) hands on you. He is also very agile with his 305-pound frame. He is great at getting to the second level and creating open lanes for running backs to run through.”
,Joseph told On3 he is “50-50” between Memphis and Florida State.
Alvin Henderson, RB, ’25 (4-star): The Penn State commit is one of the most productive backs in the nation. In his three-year varsity career, he’s posted an absurd 7274 rushing yards, 132 touchdowns, and 13.7 yards per carry. An unlikely visitor, but a welcome one.
Amir Thomas, RB, ’25, (Preferred walk-on): If you’re confused as to why Thomas is mentioned as a visitor of note, look no further than his high school teammates: Antwaan Hill and Peyton Joseph. To Silverfield, any advantage in the recruiting trail is a good one. The five-foot-six, 170-pound-back posted a solid 586 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Other Visitors
I may be missing a few players but to Tiger BluePrint’s knowledge, these are the rest of the recruits in on a visit this weekend:
- Sam Browder, OL, ’27 (3-star)
- Xavier Thompson, CB, ’25 (3-star)
- Tojuan Peyton Jr, RB, ’25 (3-star)
- Shannon Blair, DB, (JUCO transfer)
- Bryce Anderson, TE, ’24
- Collin Bellomy, EDGE, ’25
- Vanzale Hinton, CB, ’25 (3-star Vanderbilt commit)
- Macguire Richman OLB ’25 (3 star)
What These Visits Mean
The reality that Memphis is pulling in four stars on visits is a new one. Furthermore, a large part of this newfound success can be accredited to Ryan Silverfield and the culture he is building. Furthermore, I would be remiss to not mention the Tiger’s five-year, 25-million-dollar NIL deal with FedEx.
As a result, Memphis football can hang with the big boys. Not only are these recruits visiting, but they are *this* close to committing. If Silverfield lands his guys, it would begin to signify a new era of Tiger football.
