2026 linebacker JJ Bush commits to Mizzou after recent Arkansas decommitment

Missouri surprisingly found its second linebacker in the 2026 class Friday.

The Tigers reeled in the commitment of four-star JJ Bush, the No. 195 overall recruit in the Rivals300. He chose Missouri over Mississippi State and Tulane after decommitting from Arkansas this past week in response to the firings of head coach Sam Pittman and defensive coordinator Travis Williams.

Bush officially visited Missouri the final weekend in May. The Theodore (Ala.) linebacker came down to Arkansas, Missouri and LSU on his commitment day in early July. Missouri felt strong leading into the decision, but Arkansas initially came out with the pledge.

Tigers linebackers coach Derek Nicholson landed his second commitment in Bush. Longtime target and in-state three-star Keenan Harris committed to Missouri in May as the Tigers’ second pledge at the time.

“As he coaches me, he’s going to make me better as a young man, a player and a father outside of football,” Bush said of Nicholson in June.

Nicholson and cornerbacks coach Al Pogue played parts in recruiting Bush to Missouri. Safeties coach Jacob Yoro initially spearheaded the recruitment before Nicholson joined the staff in January, picking up on a connection built at Miami.

“He’s like a dad to me off the field,” Bush said in February.

Nicholson is expected to visit another linebacker target in Michigan State commit Braylon Hodge on Friday. Hodge scheduled an official visit with Missouri for Nov. 8. Uncommitted three-star linebacker DQ Forkpa officially visited the Tigers this past weekend.

Bush marked the 13th commitment for Missouri, which has landed three pledges in the past eight days. He’s the second Rivals300 recruit in the class, joining four-star edge Micah Nickerson, who announced his commitment this past Sunday.