MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Since its inception, Memphis Football has proudly showcased local talent in the blue and white. Standout players like Anthony Miller and Tony Pollard have carried the spirit of Memphis into the NFL, representing their city with pride both on and off the field. Now, it’s Greg Rubin and Cormontae Hamilton’s turn to continue this legacy.
“I carry the city’s love and energy. I pride everything on the city. You got to rep Memphis," Memphis defensive back, Greg Rubin said.
“That’s kind of how we grow up in a way," said Memphis defensive lineman Cormontae Hamilton. "Going to White Station, Whitehaven, and the city itself kind of make it feel like a grit-and-grind city.”
Former Whitehaven and White Station standouts Greg Rubin and Cormontae Hamilton lead the Memphis defense with a sense of 901 pride. As senior leaders on the team, they always let the new guys know what growing up in Memphis is all about.
“We tell them all the time there ain’t no other city like Memphis," Hamilton said
Rubin and Hamilton both made their names in the toughest division in the state, Region 8-6A. Rubin was a three-star safety at White Station, and after offers from multiple schools, he chose Memphis. Normally quiet, he’s finding his voice in his senior year.
“I think he has embraced the leadership role not just speaking up but also as a representation of this city and this team,” Memphis defensive backs coach Charles Clark said. “I think that guy has carried this city as much as anybody on this team.”
Since coming to Memphis in 2021, Rubin been an impact player for the Tigers defense making 150 tackles and breaking up 21 passes.
The former Spartan has steadily improved over his three years with this Tigers. Last season he totaled 51 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry on the year
Former Whitehaven star Hamilton was originally a tight end destined for Ohio State. After his freshman year, he decided to return to his hometown team.
“There were guys from the city as well, so why not continue to make Memphis great again," Hamilton said. "I wanted to do my part and help out in as many ways as I can.”
Hamilton has been a standout on the defensive line and was a bright spot on the TIgers team last season.
the big man totaled 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, three quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery on the year.
Now that they are reunited at Memphis, Hamilton and Rubin want to set the standard for the next generation of Tigers.
“For the guys who are underneath us in a way. You know, when Greg and Cormontae and the rest of the guys were here, they really left a legacy other than just like winning championships," Hamilton emphasized.
“Yeah, just really priding ourselves on that,” Rubin said.
Even though the guys are united by the blue and white, they don’t agree when it comes to other colors.
“White Station is better than Whitehaven," Rubin said with a smile.
“He didn’t have to do that. We got one word or one phrase: Respect the Haven," Hamilton said, with a smile on his face.
The Tigers kickoff their 2024 campaign at home against North Alabama on August 31.