Memphis football quarterback Grant Gunnell enters transfer portal

Memphis quarterback Grant Gunnell entered the transfer portal Friday just one week after competing in the Tigers’ spring game, a source familiar with the decision confirmed to The Commercial Appeal.

The source requested anonymity because no official announcement has been made. Gunnell is also no longer listed on the Tigers’ roster

The news comes as a surprise after Gunnell had a strong performance in the spring game where he threw two touchdown passes on his two opening drives.

Memphis Tigers quarterback Grant Gunnell throws the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Memphis Tigers quarterback Grant Gunnell throws the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Gunnell, a junior, missed last season with a right leg injury that required surgery. But his play in both the spring game and the open scrimmage in Nashville showed why the Tigers re-opened the quarterback battle despite Seth Henigan being named a Freshman All-American after starting every game last season.

Gunnell showed no issues with his mobility in either open practice. He led three scoring drives in the Nashville scrimmage, including two touchdown passes.

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With Gunnell’s departure, Henigan likely remains the starter when preseason practice opens in August. The Tigers’ only other options include freshman Tevin Carter, who enrolled in January, and junior Hunter Hulsey, who walked on last season. Memphis also signed three-star quarterback JC French.

Memphis also had two other quarterbacks leave since the start of last season. Sophomore Keilon Brown entered the transfer portal midseason and is now at Georgia State. Junior Peter Parrish left in January with no reason given for his departure.

Memphis Tigers quarterback Grant Gunnell throws the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Memphis Tigers quarterback Grant Gunnell throws the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Gunnell transferred to Memphis in 2020 after two seasons at Arizona. Before he was injured, he was leading the first team during open periods at preseason practice prior.

Henigan began the spring as the starter but Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield made clear the battle wouldn’t be decided until closer to the season opener.

“In this day and age, in college football especially, you need two capable starting quarterbacks, at least, on your roster,” Silverfield said on March 16, “The guys get it, they’re mature and they got a great relationship in that room.”

The Tigers could still pursue another quarterback in the transfer portal to add depth. But now, Memphis is down to one quarterback with starting experience.

Ja’Len Sims enters transfer portal

Linebacker Ja’Len Sims confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that he’s entered the transfer portal.

Sims wasn’t listed on the Tigers’ roster prior to spring practice. Last year as a sophomore, he appeared in all 12 games, mostly on special teams, with just one tackle. He played in 16 games over three seasons.

Sims, a former three-star recruit from Fultondale, Alabama, was the Tigers’ third-highest ranked player in their 2019 class, the last signed under former coach Mike Norvell. Interestingly, the four highest-ranked players from that class are no longer at Memphis.

Linebacker Cole Mashburn, the top-ranked 2019 signee, announced before the spring that he had to medically retire. Defensive end Jalil Clemons transferred to Southern Miss after this season and defensive end Joseph Honeysucker transferred to Middle Tennessee State in 2020.

Others who transferred from that class include receiver Tahj Washington (USC), defensive lineman Morris Joseph (Georgia Tech), defensive back Jashon Watkins-Perkins (Tennessee State) and defensive end Everitt Cunningham (Southern Miss).

Several 2019 signees remain top contributors for the Tigers. Safety Rodney Owens, center Jacob Likes and running back Rodrigues Clark and wide receiver Javon Ivory all started games last season, as did lineman Matt Dale.

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis QB Grant Gunnell enters transfer portal