The Memphis Tigers appear to be in good hands as they turn the page from the Ryan Silverfield era and prepare for the 2026 season. With a major need at quarterback and a new head coach at the helm, Memphis made a statement by landing one of the most productive and underrated signal-callers in the transfer portal.
Charles Huff Lands His Quarterback in Marcus Stokes
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Stokes, one of the top standouts at the Division II level, announced his commitment to Memphis, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He was committed to both Penn State and Florida as a high schooler. After he flipped from the Nittany Lions to the Gators, Florida would ultimately pull his scholarship and Stokes enrolled at division two West Florida. Stokes chose the Tigers after also taking visits to Syracuse and Appalachian State, signaling strong FBS interest in his services for how they saw his play translating.
Memphis was firmly in the market for a quarterback following the 2025 season. Veteran starter Brendon Lewis exhausted his eligibility, while promising true freshman AJ Hill followed former head coach Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas. Enter new head coach Charles Huff, who wasted little time identifying and securing his quarterback of the future after arriving from Southern Miss.
Huff may have found a gem.
Stokes is coming off a breakout campaign at West Florida, where he emerged as one of the most dynamic players in all of Division II football. He was named the Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished as a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, the DII equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
On the stat sheet, Stokes was electric. He completed 233 of 368 passes for 3,297 yards, throwing 30 touchdowns against 13 interceptions, while also showcasing his dual-threat ability on the ground. He rushed 82 times for 367 yards and 19 additional touchdowns, consistently proving he could impact games in multiple ways. Simply put, those numbers play at any level.
But beyond the production, it’s Stokes’ competitiveness that stands out, and that trait will be tested immediately. Coach Huff also added Air Noland, a former highly touted four-star recruit who originally committed to Ohio State before transferring to South Carolina, creating a legitimate competition in the quarterback room. Pressure makes diamonds, and until someone clearly separates, Memphis appears content to let the battle play out.
Stokes enters the mix with momentum, confidence, and a chip on his shoulder as he makes the jump from DII to the FBS. His rise fits the modern college football landscape, where talent can emerge from anywhere, and the transfer portal rewards those willing to bet on themselves.
As Memphis looks to maintain the level of success achieved during Silverfield’s tenure, the combination of Charles Huff’s leadership and Marcus Stokes’ upside offers plenty of optimism. The Tigers may be entering a new era, but if this move is any indication, the program’s trajectory remains firmly pointed up.