Nevada transfer Cortez Braham commits to Memphis football in major boost ahead of 2025 season
Memphis football has added a key piece ahead of the 2025 season.
Nevada transfer Cortez Braham committed to the Tigers, his agent Kobi Jones told The Commercial Appeal on July 31. Braham is expected to be eligible to play a seventh season of college football after a court ruling following a lawsuit.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound Braham started his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, playing three seasons there before transferring to West Virginia and then Nevada. He made 56 catches for 724 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 for the Wolf Pack.
He was out of eligibility after the 2024 season, but filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to play in 2025. A judge granted a temporary restraining order in July that clears the way for Braham to play for the Tigers this season. The NCAA could still appeal the decision, though.
There's a key connection between Braham and Memphis — quarterback Brendon Lewis, who also transferred from Nevada to Memphis this season. Lewis is expected to start for the Tigers.
Braham will also be a welcome addition to a Memphis receiver room that has plenty of questions heading into 2025. The Tigers lost all three of their starters in Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee and Koby Drake and have multiple spots up for grabs.
"We've got a grab bag and we're shaking it up and seeing who's capable of going out there and playing," coach Ryan Silverfield said after the first day of practice in Aug. 31. "I'm OK if it's seven or eight guys."
Purdue transfer C.J. Smith flashed in the spring game, while Louisville receiver Jadon Thompson and North Carolina A&T transfer Ger-Cari Caldwell could also factor into the mix. Then there's sophomore Brady Kluse, who played well as a true freshman in 2024 and could be poised to play a significantly bigger role in 2025.
Memphis kicks off the season on Aug. 30 against Chattanooga.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.