Assessing where Memphis football stands after close of spring transfer portal window

It's (almost) time to focus on actual football.

College football's spring transfer portal window closed last week, which means players can no longer enter and play this fall. Players who entered the portal before it closed May 1 can still find new teams and be eligible, so Memphis will still have the opportunity to add to its roster before preseason practices start in August.

The Tigers lost several players in the spring and have added only three so far, but that wasn't a surprise — coach Ryan Silverfield said during spring practices that he didn't expect to add too many new faces. Memphis brought in more than 30 players during the early signing period and has plenty of depth across the board.

With the roster nearly set, here's a look at where things stand as the Tigers head into the summer.

A new face on the defensive front

Former Oklahoma and Ravenwood High School defensive end Reggie Grimes II committed to Memphis on Sunday night, giving the Tigers another key piece up front. Memphis has to replace program stalwart Jaylon Allen, who signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, and it lost tackle Jarra Anderson to Arizona in the transfer portal.

Grimes will join a position group that includes senior CorMontae Hamilton and William Whitlow Jr., among others. Indiana transfer Patrick Lucas joins Keveion'ta Spears, Joshua White and Derick Hunter Jr. on the interior of the line.

New defensive line coach Spence Nowinsky joined the Tigers toward the end of spring practices, so he'll have plenty to work out when the team gets back together ahead of preseason.

How many new starters in the secondary?

While most of the Memphis players who entered the transfer portal in the spring weren't key contributors, the Tigers did lose starting cornerback DeAgo Brumfield to Mississippi State. He started 12 of 13 games last season after transferring from Campbellsville.

Davion Ross missed nearly the entire 2023 season with an injury but will be back in the fold. Tyrin Taylor, Julian Barnett and DJ Bell all could be in the mix for another spot. Greg Rubin likely will start at safety, but secondary coach Charles Clark needs a replacement for Simeon Blair. Samford transfer Kourtlan Marsh, Indiana transfer Jordan Grier and Old Dominion transfer Tahj Ra-El are all options there.

The Memphis secondary struggled in 2023, so it's no surprise there will be plenty of new faces there. But the production in the defensive backfield could be critical to the Tigers' success this season.

Offense appears set, with star power across the board

Memphis didn't lose any projected offensive starters during the spring portal. Jay Ducker, who was the Tigers' leading rusher in 2022 but had fallen on the depth chart, was the only notable name to leave in April.

UMass transfer Greg Desrosiers Jr. will replace him in the running back room, where South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson will be the top option. Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee and Koby Drake will enter the fall as the top receiving options, with Auburn transfer Jyaire Shorter and Houston transfer Ja'Koby Banks the options behind them.

The offensive line has a slew of new names, but there's already plenty of depth after coaches prioritized reloading the line during the winter. South Carolina transfer Jaylen Nichols and Marshall transfer Trent Holler missed spring practices with injuries but should get a chance to integrate during the fall.

And the quarterback situation is as-you-were: Seth Henigan is the starter, while Arrington Maiden, Cade Cunningham and Harris Boyd will battle to be his backup.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Where Memphis football's roster stands after spring transfer window