Ex-Memphis player accused of sending playbook to opponent in college football shocker
Tahj Ra-El, a former player who has since transferred to Purdue, has been accused of sabotaging the Tigers by sending photos of their playbook to an opposing quarterback before a game last season.
Instagram messages obtained by Tiger Sports Report allegedly show Ra-El — who exited the program in October — sending a picture of the Memphis playbook, along with other information, to UTSA quarterback Owen McCown before the teams clashed on Nov. 2, 2024.
4 The alleged Instagram DM exchange between Tahj Ra-El and Owen McCown.
@On3sports/X
4 Former Memphis DB Tahj Ra-El.
purduesports
In the alleged exchange, Ra-El sent the playbook and wrote, 'Here you go,' and 'That's all the signals,' with McCown responding with laughing emojis.
Ra-El purportedly sent McCown other information about the Tigers, including a tip about injured safety Kourtlan Marsh.
The Roadrunners ultimately defeated Memphis, 44-36.
'We're on the field, and their offense has a check for every single one of our defenses' checks,' a member of the Tigers' 2024 team told Tiger Sports Report.
A safety from Charlotte, N.C., Ra-El played three seasons at Old Dominion before his brief stint with the Tigers, during which he played four games and made one interception.
4 Former Memphis safety Tahj Ra-El goes up for an interception.
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Ra-El no longer was with Memphis leading into that game, having announced he would be transferring from Memphis on Oct. 9.
Tigers Sports Report further reported that Ra-El had been dismissed from Memphis during the season, which added incentive for his alleged sabotage.
4 UTSA Roadrunners QB Owen McCown (2) watches action from the sidelines during game between the North Texas Mean Green and the UTSA Roadrunners on November 15, 2024 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Purdue Athletics told On3 Sports' Tom Dienhart: 'Our coaching staff sees the scenario as being mischaracterized and does not have any concerns moving forward.'
American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti commented on the incident as well, downplaying concerns about the head-turning allegations.
'I'm aware of the situation. I've had very open dialogue with [UTSA] coach [Jeff] Traylor and [Memphis] coach [Ryan] Silverfield about it,' Pernetti said. 'They're going to address it. There's not really much to this story. I think a lot of it has been sensationalized and is much ado about nothing.'
Ra-El declined to comment to Tiger Sports Report about the allegations.
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