Memphis announced two more signees Sunday morning, including a defensive back with Power Four experience. Defensive back Dylan Smith, who played at Oklahoma State last year, and offensive lineman Phillip Gray III, who played at Richmond, both signed with the Tigers to take the total number of announced signees to 27.
Yesterday, it was reported that defensive coordinator Jason Semore is leaving to take the same position at Georgia Tech, where he spent multiple years before joining Charles Huff’s staff at Marshall. However, Memphis continues to pick up players on the defensive side of the ball, despite the unknown at the coordinator position.
Smith transfers to Memphis after three seasons at Oklahoma State, where he recorded 77 tackles and two interceptions in three years. Smith committed to the Cowboys as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 and picked the Cowboys over offers from Arkansas, Colorado and Houston.
Smith played in 10 games as a true freshman and recorded both interceptions during that season. He became a known player during his freshman season by making the game-winning tackle in the last scheduled Bedlam game against Oklahoma.
The safety only played in four games in 2025 and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt last year.
The Tigers also announced the signing of offensive lineman Phillip Gray III, who joins Memphis following four seasons with Richmond. Gray anchored an offensive line that helped the Spiders average 331 total yards per game and 183.3 yards on the ground.
In 2025, Gray logged 741 snaps and split time at center and right tackle, and he only allowed two sacks in 358 allowed pressure opportunities, which both came in the season opener against Lehigh.
The Nashville native can move around the offensive line, and he’s logged more than 300 snaps at left tackle, center and right tackle throughout his career at Richmond, and he’s even seen limited action at both guard positions.
At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Gray should make an immediate impact on the offensive line, and he’ll play his final season with the Tigers.
Memphis is now up to 27 signees, including 17 defensive players. Following a wave of defensive and Southern Miss players, it appears the Tigers are shifting their focus to the offensive side of the ball, as four of the last six announced signees have been offensive players, including three offensive linemen.