The landscape of Memphis Tigers football recruiting has been dramatically reshaped for 2025, making the upcoming recruiting events, particularly the highly-anticipated Mega Camp, the most crucial in years. With the stunning news of Head Coach Ryan Silverfield’s move to the University of Arkansas in late 2025, the focus has immediately shifted to Interim Head Coach Reggie Howard and his staff as they scramble to maintain momentum and evaluate talent for the 2026 class. This camp is no longer just a showcase; it's a litmus test for the program's stability and future direction.
Scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Memphis Mega Camp will serve as the premier evaluation day for high school football players across the Mid-South. This event, held at the historic Billy J Murphy Athletic Complex, is a must-attend for any prospect looking to secure an offer from the Tigers or one of the dozens of other college programs expected to be in attendance. The stakes are higher than ever as the new coaching regime looks to make a powerful first impression on the next generation of Tigers.
The New Regime: Interim Head Coach Reggie Howard and the 2025 Staff
The biggest story heading into the summer camp season is the coaching transition. Ryan Silverfield, who built a strong foundation for the Tigers, accepted the Head Coach position at Arkansas, leaving a sudden void in the Memphis leadership.
The University of Memphis has swiftly moved to appoint Reggie Howard as the Interim Head Coach. Howard, who also serves as the Defensive Backs coach, is now the face of the program during this critical recruiting period. His immediate priority is to ensure continuity and demonstrate stability to current commits and high-priority targets. This camp will be Howard's first major public recruiting push in his new role, making every evaluation and interaction vital.
Key Coaching Staff Entities for the Camp:
- Reggie Howard: Interim Head Coach / Defensive Backs Coach
- Jordon Hankins: Defensive Coordinator
- Tim Edwards: Offensive Line Coach
- David Johnson: Running Backs Coach
- Matt Barnes: Special Teams Coordinator
- Chip Long: Offensive Coordinator (Hypothetical LSI)
- Billy J Murphy: Name of the Athletic Complex and historical figure
1. The Confirmed Date and Location: June 1st at the Murphy Complex
The definitive date for the primary football recruiting event is the Memphis Mega Camp on Sunday, June 1, 2025. This one-day showcase is specifically designed to maximize exposure for prospects and allow coaches from multiple universities to conduct side-by-side evaluations.
The camp will be held at the Billy J Murphy Athletic Complex (1115 E Getwell Loop, Memphis, TN 38152). This facility is the heart of Tigers football and provides the perfect setting for position-specific drills, one-on-one competitions, and speed/agility testing.
The Mega Camp format is particularly beneficial for specialists—kickers, punters, and long snappers—who are often overlooked at general camps. Specialized training and evaluation for these positions are a confirmed part of the June 1st schedule.
2. The "Mega Camp" Advantage: Who Will Be Attending?
The term "Mega Camp" is not just a catchy title; it signifies a recruiting event where dozens of college programs from various levels—FBS, FCS, Division II, and III—pool their resources and coaching staffs. This is the ultimate "one-stop shop" for prospects.
While the official list of attending schools under the new coaching staff is fluid, the Memphis Mega Camp traditionally draws coaches from regional programs. Key recruiting battles are often fought here with schools from conferences like the AAC, Sun Belt, and CUSA. Schools that have historically participated or are regional rivals include: Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee (MTSU), South Alabama, and Tulane. The presence of coaches from these programs ensures that every top performer will leave with multiple evaluations, even if a Tigers offer is not immediately extended.
Expected College Entities (LSI):
- AAC Programs (Tulane, Temple, Navy)
- Sun Belt Programs (South Alabama, Arkansas State)
- Conference USA Programs (WKU, MTSU)
- HBCU Programs (Often participate in Memphis-area camps)
- Junior College Programs (Hinds Community College, Northwest Mississippi CC)
3. Top Recruits and Targets: The 2026 Class Focus
The 2025 Mega Camp will be heavily focused on the rising 2026 recruiting class, as the new staff works quickly to establish relationships. The state of Tennessee is rich with talent, and the Tigers must lock down the best local prospects to succeed.
One of the most high-profile recruits in the region is Jared Curtis, a top-ranked quarterback from Nashville Christian, who is a major target for virtually every top program. While Curtis is a long shot, his presence or the presence of other top-tier Tennessee recruits like him, would be a massive win for the new staff.
Furthermore, the camp is an ideal setting to evaluate players who have already received offers but are still exploring their options, such as defensive end Aiden Burgess (2025 class) who already holds a Memphis offer. The camp allows the new staff to personally re-recruit these key entities.
Potential High-Value Recruits (LSI):
- Jared Curtis (QB, Nashville Christian)
- Aiden Burgess (DE/LB, 2025)
- Kamari Wilson (DB, 2025 Commit)
- Jerry Cross (TE, 2025 Commit)
- Kody Jones (DB, 2025 Commit)
- Top Memphis-Area High School Programs (Whitehaven, Lausanne Collegiate, Christian Brothers)
4. Evaluation Process: What the New Staff is Looking For
Under Interim Head Coach Reggie Howard, the evaluation process is expected to be intense and highly focused. The new staff needs to quickly identify "Tigers Fits" who possess both the athletic ability and the character to thrive in a program undergoing transition. Defensive Coordinator Jordon Hankins will be particularly keen on finding immediate impact players on the defensive side of the ball.
The camp is structured to move prospects from general athletic testing (40-yard dash, shuttle run) into position-specific drills, and finally into crucial one-on-one competitions. The one-on-ones are where the true "dog" mentality is revealed, which is a major factor in recruiting decisions.
For offensive linemen (OL) and defensive linemen (DL), the physical battles are paramount. For skill positions (WR, DB, RB), route running precision, ball skills, and coverage technique are scrutinized. The Mega Camp’s limited capacity ensures that every player receives a true and full evaluation from the coaches in attendance.
5. Other Key Memphis Recruiting Events for 2025
While the June 1st Mega Camp is the headliner, the Memphis football program hosts several other key events throughout the spring and summer to round out their evaluation process and build the 2026 class.
Another major camp event to watch is the College Coaches Showcase Camp in Memphis, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025. These early spring camps allow the staff to get a jump start on evaluations before the busy summer period. By attending multiple camps, prospects can demonstrate consistency and show improvement between events.
For those interested in the Memphis program beyond the field, the University of Memphis also hosts various other sports camps, including the 2025 Memphis Volleyball Camps and the 2025 Trena Prater Winter Softball Camps, demonstrating the overall commitment to athletics at the school.
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