Over the last few months, there have been several rumors about the Memphis Tigers adding some relatively high profile players via transfer. Over two weeks ago, it was reported by Greg Gaston – local Memphis radio host for Sports 56 and Memphis basketball play-by-play broadcaster – that Ole Miss running back Mark Dodson would transfer to Memphis.
@MarkDodson7 will transfer from Ole Miss to Memphis. He will sign the paperwork Tomorrow.
— Greg Gaston (@Greg_Gaston) January 5, 2015
On Wednesday, the second day of classes for the University of Memphis, it was confirmed by John Martin – local Memphis sports radio producer and columnist for 92.9 ESPN – that Dodson had officially enrolled in classes at Memphis, confirming Gaston’s earlier report.
Breaking: Ole Miss transfer running back Mark Dodson is enrolled at Memphis. http://t.co/IiQ6j7zbLR
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) January 21, 2015
For Memphis, getting a player like Dodson is only going to add to what already expects to be an incredibly explosive offense. The Tigers are expected to return roughly 9 starters on offense, but Memphis is losing their starting running back and player who has led the team in rushing each of the last three seasons – Brandon Hayes.
It was expected that Doroland Dorceus, the starting running back prior to suffering a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the season, and Jarvis Cooper would be the two leading candidates to replace Hayes, but both would likely receive an ample amount of carries. Now with Dodson in the mix, Dorceus and Cooper are going to have some legitimate competition in the backfield.
Coming out of high school, Dodson was a consensus four-star prospect by every major recruiting site, and he was considered a top 150 prospect in the country by Rivals.com. The Memphis native and former Whitehaven standout rushed for 3,295 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to being named the 2012 Tennessee High School Gatorade Player of the Year. Dodson was a two-time Mr. Football Finalist, and he led his team to the 2012 Tennessee 6A state title as a senior.
This past season at Ole Miss, Dodson was efficient running the ball, and despite only getting 36 carries, Dodson managed to rush for 249 yards (6.9 yards-per-carry) and four touchdowns.
It still remains to be seen if Dodson will be eligible for the 2015 season, but there have been reports that he will apply to the NCAA for a waiver that would allow him immediate eligibility.
Getting a player the caliber of Dodson is significant for Memphis and head coach Justin Fuente on a couple of different levels. First, and probably most obviously, would be the fact the the Tigers have significantly upgraded their backfield with a player who was productive at the SEC level.
But secondly, and arguably most importantly, the Tigers have just gotten a player from the city of Memphis that they have traditionally almost always missed on. Dodson is an SEC-talent type of player. The city of Memphis has several of them every year, and they usually leave home to go play for one of the big boy programs. And while Dodson did not come to Memphis right out of high school, just getting him in Tiger blue could potentially have an impact on future recruits who are thinking about leaving their home to go to a bigger program.
Getting Dodson to Memphis is just further proof that Fuente and his staff have Memphis football headed for more unprecedented success.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
