Missouri coaches react to Williams Nwaneri commitment

Eli Drinkwitz is not afraid of a recruiting battle, even if playing from behind for an elite prospect. Missouri was competing against Georgia and Oklahoma for 2024 Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri. He wound up choosing the Tigers, sending the college football recruiting world into a frenzy.

The football offices in Columbia, MO were pretty excited about the news too. The team’s official Twitter account posted a video of the staff reacting to the news. Seemingly everyone involved with the program was together for the moment, ready to hear Nwaneri officially make his decision.

Once Missouri got the commitment, everyone went crazy — especially Drinkwitz. He began to hug his assistant coaches before letting out a few fist pumps and giving out high fives. The reaction proves how big of a win it was for Missouri.

You can watch the full moment from the Mizzou coaching staff here.

Nwaneri plays high school football at Lee’s Summit (MO) Lee’s Summit North, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

This is not the first in-state recruiting win Drinkwitz has pulled off in recent times. Wide receiver Luther Burden was also a Five-Star Plus+ prospect and ranked No. 3 in the country. Georgia was a main competitor there, with Alabama in the mix as well.

Ultimately, relationships are winning out for Drinkwitz with the in-state prospects. Nwaneri admitted so after making his commitment — being close with both Drinkwitz and assistant defensive line coach Ken Peoples. Getting to be a “hometown hero” is a pretty good sell too.

“What made me feel good about Missouri was comfortability, relationships with the coaching staff and the people there,” Nwaneri told On3’s Chad Simmons. “It has a feeling like somewhere close that I could go and fit in. Staying home is extremely big for me.

“As a child I watched Missouri, I get to stay home and we can start something new. Having a chance to be that hometown hero and starting a trend at Missouri played into my decision.”

A huge day for Missouri football and based on the reaction, not one anybody is going to be forgetting any time soon. High-level recruiting battles can be brutal but getting rewarded with a huge commitment such as Nwaneri makes it all worth the price.