Memphis football receives commitment from JUCO TE Lou Dorsey

Evan Barnes
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Add another junior college commitment for the Memphis football team.

Tight end Lou Dorsey from Iowa Western Community College announced Saturday night that he committed to the Tigers, giving coach Mike Norvell and his staff three high-profile JUCO commits for the 2020 recruiting class.

Dorsey, who is 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, is rated the nation's No. 1 junior college tight end and 11th overall junior college prospect, according to 247Sports composite rankings. The three-star recruit had offers from Florida State and Houston, among others.

Dorsey appeared in 12 games as a true freshman for Illinois in 2017, catching 22 passes for 395 yards and a team-high three touchdowns. Last season, he was named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list, the award given out to the nation's best tight end.

Iowa's Brandon Snyder hits Illinois tight end Louis Dorsey which prevented an Illini first down on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

However, Dorsey struggled last season. He was suspended for Illinois' first three games after a violation of team rules and did not record a catch in two games before announcing his transfer from the program in October.

His arrival will bring immediate help to the Tigers' tight end corps, which will graduate both Joey Magnifico and Sean Dykes after this season. 

Memphis has been successful recruiting the JUCO pipeline under Mike Norvell, but the 2020 class could be his staff's best crop of incoming junior college recruits.

The Tigers already have commitments from wide receiver Kundarrius Taylor and running back Kalyn Grandberry, who are rated as the nation's best at their position among junior college prospects, according to 247Sports.

Both Taylor (No. 6) and Grandberry (No. 8) are also in the top 10 of 247Sports' junior college composite rankings.

With four commitments, Memphis' class is ranked No. 69 in the country and fifth among AAC schools in the 247Sports team rankings.

More:Memphis football adds commitment from wide receiver Kobe Webster

You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com