Much like on the offensive side of the ball, Memphis returns just one returning starter from last season on the defensive side of the ball. There’s a lot of optimism and excitement around the roster that Coach Silverfield and his staff assembled, one of the best talent-rich rosters in Memphis football history. Although it may be inexperienced in the system, it has the talent to compensate for the lack of experience in the Memphis Tigers program.

Let’s start on the defensive line at the defensive end position, where William Whitlow Jr returns for his senior season to lead the Tigers’ defense by continuing to be the anchor that holds the defensive line steady. Last season, Whitlow earned all-AAC honors, then reached the point in the offseason with courtship by the likes of Penn State and Oklahoma, before eventually deciding to remain as a Tiger this season. Whitlow will be joined on the defensive line by Taylor Burton, Rayyan Buell, Mond Cole, and Pooda Walker.

Moving on to the linebacker core, a group depleted from last season, the team replaced the talent they had with guys from the transfer portal, including Everett Roussaw from UAB, Drue Watts from Nevada, to combine with the talent of Sam Brumfield, Cam Burden, DeMarco Ward, Omarion Cooper, and Joey Hunter. Roussaw and Watts combined for 140 tackles last season at their respective programs. There’s a big hole to fill at the linebacker position. Still, defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins has proved himself as one of the best defensive minds in the country, and he feels confident this linebacker group has the intangibles to take it to the next level this season.

On to the secondary, where Memphis will look to ride the leadership of Kourtlan Marsh, who returns to the Tigers’ defensive unit after missing most of last season with an injury to the wrist. Following the game with Tulane, Marsh earned the honors of AAC Defensive Player of the week after forcing two fumbles, recovering one of them, and having an overall stellar defensive performance. Joining Marsh in the secondary are Jaidyn Denis, Samson Israel, Kamari Wilson, Cameron Miller, Jeremiah Jordan, Chris Bracy, and Jaylen Thompson.

Overall, the 2025 Memphis defensive unit has the talent to compete and turn the Tigers into a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. Like many others in this modern era, you can have all the talent in the world, it all comes down to all how those guys mesh into a new system with the mindset of achieving the common goal of delivering Memphis with not only another postseason trip, but most importantly a conference championship and a potential bid to the College Football Playoff.

Photo Credits- Memphis Football on X