Mizzou makes splash landing commitment of Rivals300 OT Johnnie Jones

Missouri finally reeled in an offensive tackle.

After receiving commitments from four interior offensive linemen, the Tigers landed the pledge of four-star Johnnie Jones on Saturday. The former UCLA commit backed off his pledge to the Bruins in September in response to the firing of head coach DeShaun Foster.

Jones officially visited Missouri during Week 4, not even seven days after his decommitment from UCLA. He saw the Tigers take down South Carolina for the Mayor’s Cup. The four-star also met up with freshman wide receiver Donovan Olugbode and fellow Venice (Fla.) product Damon Wilson II.

The No. 107 recruit in the Rivals300, Jones marked the highest-ranked recruit for Missouri this cycle. The offensive tackle received an expected in-person visit from offensive line coach Brandon Jones on Oct. 3.

“Just the way they are able to run the football and the way the offensive line, Coach Jones, has produced high profile NFL talent and developed them throughout his years of coaching,” Jones told vice president of recruiting and transfer portal Steve Wiltfong in September.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz also impressed Jones by “quietly” winning games in the SEC. Jones, a four-star offensive tackle, also dove into PFF grades to see how the Tigers found success in the run game.

“The experience was great,” Jones said. “They have a great and involved crowd throughout all times of the game, and what continues to excite is being able to the run the ball for 300 yards against a strong defensive front and how Coach Drink has the ability to have a winning program, and now, it’s time to compete for championships.”

Jones marked the 16th commitment for Missouri in the 2026 class and the fourth Rivals300 pledge. He joined offensive linemen Brandon Anderson, Khalief Canty Jr., Braylon Ellison and Brysen Wessell in the trenches.