Memphis football is in the midst of spring practice, and things are a lot different around the Billy J Murphy Athletic Complex. A completely new coaching staff took over once Charles Huff took over, and they completely revamped the Tigers’ roster.
The NCAA revised the transfer portal rules and eliminated the spring portal, which opened following spring practice. That means that the players on the roster today will be the same players on the roster in the fall.
This change gives the coaching staff a better idea of their current roster and how it will help them in the fall. It also gives fans more time to learn the roster ahead of the first game of the season.
After previewing the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive line and defensive line, it’s time to take a look at the linebackers. Huff brought in several players from Southern Miss, but he also added a few players with Power Five experience.
Donovan Mathena
Mathena returns for his fifth and final season at Memphis after signing in the class of 2022. Mathena appeared in 37 games over the last three seasons, and he has recorded 16 total tackles, including 11 last season.
The Collierville native played well last season, especially against the run, and recorded an 87.9 run defense grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jacory Johnson
Johnson returns for his redshirt sophomore season with the Tigers, and he’ll look for more playing time after not seeing any playing time over his first two seasons with the program. Johnson started his career as a defensive back, but he’s now listed as a linebacker on the 2026 roster.
Tylon Nash
Nash started his career at Arkansas State before transferring to Memphis ahead of the 2023 season. The Memphis native appeared in 12 games last season, mainly on special teams, but he saw action as a weak-side linebacker against Tulsa.
Wolf Walker
Walker signed with the Tigers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2025, and he returns for his redshirt freshman season. The 6-foot and 205-pound linebacker recorded over 100 tackles and three interceptions at East Paulding High School in Georgia.
Mike Montgomery
Montgomery started his career at Portland State before transferring to Southern Miss before the 2025 season. The linebacker recorded 105 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions last year, and he will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Zach Ruffin
Ruffin appeared in 13 games as a freshman at Southern Miss, and he recorded four tackles. The linebacker was rated a four-star recruit on 247 before signing with the Golden Eagles.
Jayden Parrish
Parrish spent his first two collegiate seasons at Florida State before transferring to Memphis. The linebacker only appeared in two games and recorded three tackles against East Texas A&M.
Christian Thatcher
Thatcher spent his freshman season at Utah after signing as the No. 4 player out of Nevada. The linebacker appeared in only one game with the Utes, and he has four years of eligibility remaining.
Desmond Cox
Cox signed with Memphis as a three-star recruit, and he chose the Tigers over North Texas, La Tech and New Mexico. The Texas native recorded 128 tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a high school junior.
Kadan Spratling
Spratling signed as a three-star recruit, and he picked the Tigers over Georgia Tech, Liberty and Kansas State. Spratling played at Georgia powerhouse Carrollton, which finished the season 14-1 and ranked No. 5 in the nation.