Ensworth's Bryce Edmondson commits to Memphis football

Bryce Edmondson is ready to be a Memphis Tiger.

The Ensworth linebacker committed to the AAC school Friday, picking the Tigers over Army, Charlotte, Navy and Princeton. He is the school's ninth commitment.

"The coaching staff is one of the most genuine coaching staffs that I've met during this recruiting process," said Edmondson, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound athlete. "It's close to home so my family will be able to make it to the home games. 

"The football program is one of the top programs in the country and I think they will only get better. And it's a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and not just a player."

Edmondson said he was primarily recruited by first-year coach Ryan Silverfield along with linebackers coach Bert Watts and defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre, a Brentwood Academy alumnus who was the Ole Miss defensive coordinator last season.

"They've been contacting me from the first day they could reach out to me," Edmondson said. They spoke to me throughout the coaching change. They've told me I could play both outside or inside linebacker, depending on where I best fit."

Edmondson is the second Nashville area football player to commit to Memphis this week, joining Brentwood Academy defensive end James Stewart, who committed on Monday.

Edmondson is ranked as the state's 44th-best recruit according to 247Sports. Edmondson had 56 tackles last season and was a key defensive cog for Ensworth, which reach the Division II-AAA semifinals, losing to state champion McCallie.

"He's super athletic," Ensworth coach Roc Batten said. "He's an athletic linebacker. He's a big body. He's an intelligent football IQ guy. He's very versatile. He's so big and long that he can be an edge guy."

Edmondson said he has been on campus three times, the last in January for the Tigers' junior day. 

"I believe I had a good look at Memphis and am confident in my decision," Edmondson said.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.