Here's who's returning to Memphis football from 2025 roster

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Memphis football’s roster looks a lot different than it did a month ago.

Barring a surprise, the Tigers will have zero returning starters in 2026. That’s not entirely unexpected, given the coaching change. Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas after the 2025 regular season, and he was replaced by Southern Miss’ Charles Huff.

The transfer portal window was open from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, and the majority of Memphis’ players decided to leave. Many already have signed with new schools, but players can sign with new schools at any time as long as they entered the portal before the Jan. 16 deadline.

Huff has been busy in the transfer portal and has already brought in dozens of players. They’ll join the returners from 2025 heading into spring practice.

And though there aren’t any starters left from last season, there will be some notable names still on the roster. Here’s a look at who’s coming back to Memphis in 2026.

Offense

WR Brady Kluse

Kluse is the most notable name on the list of returners. He impressed in extremely limited action as a true freshman in 2024, then earned slightly more playing time in 2025. Though there was opportunity behind Cortez Braham Jr., Kluse did not establish himself as a top receiver for the Tigers.

He was their fourth-leading receiver in 2025 and made 22 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one of the top highlights of Memphis’ season with his acrobatic touchdown catch against Troy.

WR Bryce Dorsey

Dorsey made only eight catches for 69 yards in 2025. But he was listed on Memphis’ depth chart and had drawn praise from coaches during his time with the Tigers. He redshirted in 2024 and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

WR Keonde Henry

Henry was the highest-rated recruit in Memphis’ 2024 class and turned down offers from multiple power conference teams to sign with the Tigers. But he has been buried on the depth chart during his two years in Memphis and has yet to make a catch.

Others on offense

OL Jonathan Young was a backup tackle in 2025 and should have a chance to compete for a starting role in the spring. WR Rahim Hutchins Jr. drew rave reviews from coaches as a freshman but wasn’t a factor in 2025. QB Grant Troutman, a Collierville alum, isn’t likely to push for playing time but will be Memphis’ only returning quarterback in 2026.

Defense

DL Taylor Burton

A Whitehaven alum, Burton transferred to Memphis from UT-Martin ahead of the 2025 season and finished with 12 tackles and a sack. He figures to compete for a spot in the defensive line rotation heading into the 2026 season.

LB Donovan Mathena

Mathena has spent his entire college career with the Tigers and has one season of eligibility remaining. The Collierville alum made 11 tackles as a backup linebacker in 2025.

Others on defense

DB Beni Mwamba impressed as a freshman at Chattanooga in 2024 but didn’t play much for Memphis in 2025. DB Jordan Bell has shuffled through different positions during his two seasons with the Tigers, but he was a dynamic playmaker at the high school level for Munford. DL JaQuentin Madison actually flipped from Arkansas to Memphis just before signing day 2024, and he’s sticking around after redshirting in 2025.

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

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Here’s who’s returning to Memphis football from 2025 roster

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos