TIGER FOOTBALL

Memphis football: OL Mikhail Hill, LB Anthony Ballard enter transfer portal

Evan Barnes
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis saw two players transfer from the football team over the weekend in sophomore offensive lineman Mikhail Hill and freshman linebacker Anthony Ballard.

Hill, a former three-star recruit from Louisiana, saw action in 13 games last year as a back-up on the offensive line. This spring he spent most of his time at left guard on the second team.

Ballard was a walk-on last year who spent time on the practice squad at running back and switched positions this spring to linebacker. He had a team-high five tackles for loss in the spring game.

Memphis teammates Emmanuel Cooper, left, and Mikhail Hill celebrate after defeating Mercer 66-14 at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis on Sept. 1, 2018.

The two are the latest to transfer from Memphis, following defensive back Tamaurice Smith and defensive lineman Khalil Johnson, who left earlier this month.

The Tigers finished spring with questions surrounding three new starters on the offensive line and unproven depth behind them. Hill was one of the most experienced linemen in terms of seeing playing time last year.

Memphis will add two more linemen in the fall in freshman Jacob Likes from Christian Brothers High School and junior Brian Thomas, who transferred from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. Both are three-star recruits.

The Tigers also have depth at linebacker with Austin Hall, JJ Russell and Tim Hart returning from last year as well as Nehemiah Augustus, Xavier Cullens and Cade Mashburn. Josh Perry also switched positions from cornerback to linebacker.

More:Memphis football: DB Tamaurice Smith, DL Khalil Johnson to enter transfer portal

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