College football star accused of the ultimate betrayal
Safety Tahj Ra-El is alleged to have sent pictures and details of the Tigers' playbook to UTSA star Owen McCown before the two teams faced off in November 2024.
Memphis went on to lose the game 44-36. McCown is the son of Josh McCown, the former NFL quarterback who is now the quarterback coach for Minnesota Vikings, a role he has held since 2024.
By the time of the game, Ra-El had transferred to Purdue. He is said to have left Memphis last October - after being dismissed from the team - but screenshots of his alleged messages to McCown only emerged this week on On3 Sports.
'Here you go... that's all the signals,' the messages read, alongside a photo of a team's playbook.
In the exchange, the sender - believed to be Ra-El - also criticizes his teammates and provides further details on their tactics.
'None of the safeties can cover btw (by the way),' a message reads. 'The feild (sic) safety is the weakest link in the defense his hamstring (is) hurting but he's running out of eligibility so when you play him he number 0.'
It's claimed the message was referring to Memphis star Kourtlan Marsh, who started ahead of Ra-El.
Ra-El, a defensive back from Charlotte, North Carolina, spent three seasons with the Old Dominion Monarchs before moving to Memphis.
But he played just four games for the Tigers, making one interception before leaving for Purdue.
In a statement to On3 Sports, Purdue Athletics said: 'Our coaching staff sees the scenario as being mischaracterized and does not have any concerns moving forward.'
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