Charles Huff Discusses Memphis' Massive Transfer Portal Class
New Memphis head coach Charles Huff formally addressed the media for the first time since his introductory press conference to discuss Memphis’ transfer portal class, which brings 57 transfers to the team after losing all 22 starters.
“One of the first things we wanted to do was be very intentional about who we were signing,” Huff said. “Making sure we got the right people in the boat, not necessarily the best people.”
The first-year Tigers head coach said he and his staff encouraged players to make the best decision for themselves. The staff supported and stayed in contact with players who decided to transfer away from Memphis.
Filling Needs
Huff said quarterback and defensive line were the two most important positions to recruit. This year’s signing class reflected that philosophy.
The Tigers signed 16 transfer defensive linemen, including eight defensive ends and eight defensive tackles. Each position tied for the second-most transfer signees behind the offensive line, which signed nine.
“We wanted to be very intentional about filling the needs, making sure positionally that we’re equipped to sustain success,” Huff said.
Memphis brought in four newcomers at quarterback: transfers Marcus Stokes from West Florida, Air Noland from South Carolina, Denzel Gardner from Southern Miss and high school recruit Gavin Owens from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Greenville, SC. Stokes and Noland will compete for the starting job throughout the off-season.
“When you’re good, you have a quarterback. When you’re really good, you have depth,” Huff said.
Stokes has the most college experience with 20 career starts, but it is all at the division three level. Huff has confidence in the group despite the lack of experience.
“All of them have played at a high level, even if it’s high school,” Huff said. “All of them have been in environments that are similar to Memphis.”
Continuity From Southern Miss
Huff was officially announced as the Tigers coach on Dec. 8. He previously spent one season at Southern Miss, and three seasons as the coach at Marshall.
Memphis signed 18 transfers who followed Huff from Southern Miss. Thirteen of them are on the defensive side of the ball.
Huff said Southern Miss transfer linebacker Mike Montgomery has stepped up as a leader by example.
“The one in the group that, I don’t know if I’ll ever be around another worker like him, is probably Mike Montgomery,” Huff said. “Mike’s gonna be in there every night at nine o’clock doing footwork drills, doing bag drills, doing steps alone.”
Montgomery’s actions are already affecting others. Huff said linebacker Wolf Walker now comes in to train at 8 p.m.
“It has permeated, because again influence rolls through the room like cancer,” Huff said.
Six of the 16 defensive line additions came from Southern Miss. Defensive end J’Mond Tapp is the highest-rated transfer in Memphis’ class. Tapp had stints at Texas and Arizona State prior to signing with Southern Miss.
While roster familiarity will benefit Memphis, Huff said all of the players will have to learn new schemes. Coordinators Kevin Decker and Lance Guidry have not worked with Huff previously.
Huff said the next step is teaching the players what the culture looks like and what it means to play for Memphis.
“We’ve collected talent. Now it’s time to build a team.”
