Recruiting notebook: Mizzou signee returns touchdown in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game
In a wild turn of events, JJ Bush returned a punt for a five-yard touchdown.
The Team Mississippi punter mishandled the snap. While running toward the end zone, multiple Team Alabama defenders swarmed him. His desperation kick got deflected right into Bush’s hands, as the Missouri signee dove toward the end zone for six points.
Bush, a Class of 2026 Theodore (Ala.) linebacker, contributed to a 40-10 victory. Team Alabama claimed the 38th Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic at Southern Miss‘ M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Bush — who could get a boost in the rankings based on his performance at the Navy All-American Bowl in January as well — is ranked the 25th linebacker in the 2026 class. The four-star ranked inside the Rivals300 earlier this season while committing to the Tigers in October.
Case Alexander, 6-foot-3, 210-pound LB
Missouri assistant director of defensive personnel Christian Heinz offered Class of 2027 Washington (Okla.) linebacker Case Alexander on Nov. 26. Alexander, the No. 153 recruit in the Rivals300, had Iowa State and Oklahoma leading his recruitment this past fall.
“Coach Heinz seems like a great guy and a great coach just from that conversation with him,” Alexander said. “I just really appreciate them seeing me as a player good enough to play for them.”
Will Slagle, 6-foot-4, 305-pound IOL
Missouri hasn’t reached out to former Iowa State commit and Class of 2027 Grinnell (Iowa) interior offensive lineman Will Slagle since decommitting from the Cyclones, the three-star told MizzouToday. A Tigers source said Wednesday, “We should (still be recruiting Slagle).” Slagle received an offer from Missouri in April, but the Tigers didn’t crack his fall visit schedule.