Jeff Traylor denies knowing about Memphis playbook leak involving Owen McCown, Tahj Ra-El

UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor says he was unaware Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown allegedly received direct messages that included pictures of Memphis‘ playbook ahead of last season’s game courtesy of former Tigers defensive back Tahj Ra-El. The DB has since transferred to Purdue.

“I think it had no bearing on the game whatsoever,” Traylor said, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Jonah Dylan. “I didn’t know anything about it. (McCown) didn’t tell me anything about it.”

A screenshot of the Instagram DM between Ra-El and McCown was discovered by Sam Shoemaker of Tiger Sports Report. The DM depicted Ra-El appearing to send several photos of information related to Memphis’ defensive schemes, plays and formations.

Ra-El appeared to even take a shot at some of his teammates during the direct message, stating that “none of they safeties can cover btw” and even revealing the team’s “weakest link” to McCown.

The weak link refers to Kourtlan Marsh, who had been dealing with injury at the time. He started ahead of Ra-El during the season but did not play during the Memphis loss. During the game, UTSA’s offense had “a check for every single one of our defense’s checks,” a player from Memphis’ 2024 squad told TSR.

The Roadrunners ended up totaling over 400 yards of offense against Memphis, with McCown throwing for four touchdowns and no interceptions as UTSA outlasted Memphis, 44-36, on Nov. 2 of last season.

Purdue releases statement on transfer Tahj Ra-El amid playbook leaking controversy

Ra-El reportedly left the team in October, per Tiger Sports Report. However, sources close to the report allege that he was dismissed from the team rather than voluntarily leaving. There’s no indication that this was the cause for Ra-El’s motive, as the game was played the following month. Ra-El went on to commit to Purdue out of the NCAA Transfer Portal one day before Christmas last year.

Purdue has released a statement on the controversy surrounding Memphis transfer Tahj Ra-El‘s alleged direct messages to UTSA quarterback Owen McCown ahead of last year’s game. Ra-El has since transferred away from Memphis and will play for Purdue in 2025.

“Our coaching staff sees the scenario as being mischaracterized and does not have any concerns moving forward,” the team said in a statement, via On3’s Tom Dienhart.

Based on the Boilermakers’ statement, it appears the DB transfer is poised to begin the season without facing any discipline. According to TSR, they reached out to Ra-El but he declined to comment.

— On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.