Mizzou lands commitment of fast-rising cornerback Ahmod Billins
Missouri finally reeled in a cornerback.
After looking at two options during summer official visit, the Tigers came out empty handed. But on Saturday, the program received the verbal commitment of Class of 2026 athlete Ahmod Billins, who officially visited for homecoming Sept. 27 and announced his decision on his 18th birthday.
Cornerbacks coach Al Pogue visited Billins in person this past spring. The staffer then offered the Abbeville (Ala.) Christian Academy defensive back in July, which surprised the prospect who had yet to receive a Power Four scholarship.
“I didn’t expect it at this time,” Billins said this past summer. “I was expecting it to be a little later in the season, but I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity.”
Pogue, the Tigers’ recruiter for his home state of Alabama, connected fairly quickly with Billins, who transferred to Abbeville Christian Academy for his senior season. Pogue admired the cornerback’s length at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds during a spring practice.
“He liked what he saw me do that day at practice,” Billins said. “I also can run and keep up with the guys in the SEC.”
During his official visit this past month, Billins connected more with Pogue over his home state. His family also spent time with assistant director of recruiting operations and communications Malcolm Askew, another Yellowhammer State product who played at Auburn.
“We spent a lot of time with Coach Pogue, going down memory land of all of my family and friends he has played with or coached,” Billins said in September. “But that was definitely a plus knowing people I know have trusted him.”
Missouri stacks defensive backs
Billins, the 20th pledge for Missouri in the 2026 class, also officially visited Jacksonville State and Mercer. He marked the first cornerback commitment and fourth defensive back, joining three-star safeties Tony Forney Jr., Brody Jones and Carter Stewart.
The Tigers might not be done at cornerback, though. BYU commit Jaxson Gates, who officially visited the same weekend as Billins, will return to campus Nov. 8 for the Texas A&M game. The La Verna (Cali.) Damien three-star returned to Provo, Utah, for the Holy War this past weekend.
Missouri has reached back out to Florida commit CJ Hester following the dismissal of head coach Billy Napier. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College cornerback Jayden Swanson also visited the Tigers during the Mayor’s Cup.
Pogue recruited underclassmen transfer cornerbacks in the spring window and targeted high schoolers Nick Hankins Jr. and Javonte Smith during official visits this summer. Hankins and Smith both stayed in their home states, committing to Illinois and Tennessee, respectively. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz made a stop Oct. 3 to Belleville (Ill.) West to see Hankins play during helicopter recruiting trip amid the bye week. Both Drinkwitz and Pogue remain in contact with the Hankins family.