Braham Elevating Memphis' Offense After Unconventional Journey
Ryan Silverfield said before the season that Memphis didn’t have a true No. 1 wide receiver and would rely on a by-committee approach. The emergence of Cortez Braham has erased that idea.
Transfer Process
Braham joined the team in the middle of fall camp after transferring from Nevada. His transfer portal process was anything but conventional, due to a court case where the seventh-year player was fighting for his eligibility. After suing the NCAA in May, Braham was ruled eligible in July. He committed to Memphis on July 31.
“During the whole process, Coach Ryan (Silverfield) was contacting me, checking up on me, making sure I was good,” Braham said. “That really stuck out to me. I just felt like this was the right place for me to be.”
On-Field Success
Braham ranks second in the American Conference in receiving yards (632) and receiving touchdowns (7). It does not hurt that Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis was also throwing to him at Nevada last season.
“I’ve been playing ball for a minute now,” Braham said. “Once I got the playbook and the reps down, it all started to click again with B-Lew.”
Braham immediately bought into the Tigers’ “all-in” mantra. Simply put, he just wants to win.
“I’m a ball player. I want to win,” Braham said. “I want to do what’s right for this team. So I just felt like when I did come in here, I just made sure I did my job.
Braham’s Effect on the Rest of the Team
Memphis’ only blemish this season is from a 31-24 loss at UAB on Oct. 18. After the stunning loss, the Tigers turned around and defeated South Florida, the favorite to win the American at the time, 34-31.
“This team is very resilient,” Braham said. “When we get knocked down, everybody’s going to get back up and give you their all. Everybody in this building, we all click.”
Braham’s performance has started to open up opportunities for other players on Memphis’ offense. Redshirt junior Jamari Hawkins has 450 receiving yards this season, and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey said the added attention to Braham helps the offense as a whole.
“I got 100 percent faith in them (other players). They’re gonna make the play,” Cramsey said. “We got other guys. We’re not a one man team.”
Braham’s teams were a combined 17-21 in his previous three seasons playing FBS football. He is a major part of the reason Memphis is in good position to contend for the American conference title and possibly make the College Football Playoff.
“That locker room, everybody loves each other and everybody comes to work and wants it,” Braham said. “We all got the same goal. That’s why I feel like it just worked out and it was just a great fit.”
