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The Memphis football team added a quarterback to its transfer portal class this offseason in the form of Marus Stokes. The passer will give it a go in the FBS after spending three years at the Division II level.
Stokes has a controversial past that significantly impacted his initial recruitment. He now attempts to climb back up the ladder with the Tigers.
Who is Marcus Stokes?
The Florida native was once considered a top prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle. He was viewed as the best signal caller to come out of the Nease High School program since Tim Tebow.
Talent has never been an issue for Stokes. He held a four-star rating as a high school player, earning notable offers from major colleges throughout the country.
After a brief flirtation with Penn State, he committed to play for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators. His scholarship offer was pulled due to an off-field incident.
A viral video of the quarterback hit social media showing Stokes using a racial slur while singing along to a song.
“I deeply apologize for the words in the song that I chose to say,” he said after the fact. “I fully accept the consequences for my actions, and I respect the University of Florida’s decision to withdraw my scholarship offer to play football.”
After the clip surfaced, major interest diminished. He did receive offers from smaller schools and eventually signed on with the University of West Florida.
The QB shined in Division II.
He appeared in just three games as a freshman and another eight after a redshirt, totaling 1,593 yards and 14 scores on 115-of-213 passing.
He was handed the keys to the offense in Year 3. He would go on to be named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Marcus Stokes posted a 3,297-yard campaign. The gunslinger racked up 30 touchdowns through the air and another 10 on the ground. That production made him an intriguing prospect when making the decision to hit the transfer portal.
Stokes is a big-bodied quarterback, standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 215. He has the ability to hurt defenses with both his arm and legs.
This week, he committed to play his redshirt junior season at Memphis.
For Stokes, it represents a chance to continue his path towards redemption. He’s shown remorse for his previous actions that got him cast aside by major football programs, including Florida.
For the Tigers, it gives them their signal caller for the immediate future.
Memphis is undergoing a coaching change with Ryan Silverfield being hired by Arkansas. Charles Huff has since replaced the head coach after moving on from Southern Miss.
Last year’s starting quarterback Brendon Lewis exhausted his eligibility in 2025. His two backups hit the portal after Silverfield’s departure.
The job will be Marcus Stokes’s to lose upon arriving to campus this spring.