Relationship with Al Pogue keeps 2027 EDGE Ba'Roc Willis high on Mizzou
In January, Al Pogue stepped into the Moody (Ala.) coaches office to see a linebacker. The Missouri cornerbacks coach has frequented his home state for all prospects, and when it came to visiting recruits in person this offseason, he wanted to see Ba’Roc Willis.
Willis, a Class of 2027 Rivals Industry four-star edge rusher, received an offer from Pogue in January 2024. The two reconnected in recent months, keeping the Tigers around when it came to trimming Willis’ top schools list.
“He’s just a very cool guy,” Willis said. “Just talking to him, he’s pretty easy. You can just tell, he tries to understand players and see their perspective on things. He’s just always listening before he speaks.”
A former Alabama commit, Willis named Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas and USC to his Top 10 on July 23. Although never visiting Missouri, the linebacker will soon look at the Tigers’ fall schedule, which features a home game against the Crimson Tide.
“That program, it holds a lot of weight,” the edge rusher said about Missouri. “A lot of great players came through there, so you know they have the résumé.”
Evaluating Willis’ sophomore tape, Pogue admired the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder’s speed off the edge. The Tigers identified two roles for Willis at the next level as an inside linebacker and defensive end to rush the passer.
Although not having his full schedule planned out for this fall, Willis locked in a trip to Clemson for a Week 1 matchup against LSU.
