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Memphis adds two commitments, including former Iowa State WR Joseph Scates

evan barnes, memphis commercial appeal
·2 min read

The early signing period began with little drama for Memphis Wednesday but the Tigers got a late morning surprise with a commitment from former Iowa State receiver Joseph Scates.

Scates and junior college offensive lineman Terrance McClain both announced their commitments on Twitter just as the Tigers announced their newest signees. Memphis retweeted both players on the team's football page but coach Ryan Silverfield was not allowed to discuss Division I transfers until they officially enrolled.

Scates (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) enter the transfer portal this month catching just eight passes for 145 yards and one touchdown in his redshirt junior season. In three seasons, he had 16 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns.

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Oct 12, 2019; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Joseph Scates (9) celebrates after catching touchdown pass with wide receiver Deshaunte Jones (8) during the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Joseph Scates (9) celebrates after catching touchdown pass with wide receiver Deshaunte Jones (8) during the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

When Iowa State signed Scates out of high school in 2018, he was a four-star recruit and ranked the No. 44 wide receiver in the country according to 247Sports.

Scates brings immediate help to a position group that needs to develop a clear No. 1 wide receiver with Calvin Austin III gone to prepare for the NFL Draft. Javon Ivory returns as does Gabriel Rogers and Eddie Lewis but the Tigers played a number of freshmen receivers due to injury.

McClain (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) played last season as Coffeyville Community College at tackle and had offers from East Carolina and Syracuse among others. The Tigers have received five junior college commitments since Saturday, as many as they had in their past two classes combined.

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

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football adds commitment from Iowa State WR Joseph Scates