The MizzouToday Show: Mizzou targets top prospects to fill out 2026 class
On the latest episode of The MizzouToday Show, Kyle McAreavy and Kenny Van Doren discuss Missouri’s outlook on its 2026 recruiting class with two months before the Early Signing Period. The guys also jump into current targets still on the board or committed elsewhere while addressing each position group.
Offensive skill positions
“The unique situation about this all, especially just for quarterback recruiting under (Missouri coach Eliah) Drinkwitz, is that he’s never had one of his own recruits be the starter,” Van Doren said. “He’s had his own transfers. He’s had Beau Pribula, he had Brady Cook start. And Brady Cook committed under (Barry) Odom, and just stuck with his commitment. .. It’s one of those situations where they’ve made a really good run at Pennsylvania quarterbacks.”
“When you see the production from the Mizzou running backs, especially at a young age, I think it’s very enticing,” Van Doren said. “There’s a lot of, not hype, but understanding of what (running backs coach) Curtis Luper can get you to do pretty early on in your career. I think that’s something that checks off a box for a guy like this.”
Offensive line
“It’s hard to pull Braylon Ellison away from Mizzou, he’s a Booneville kid, his dad was a Tiger,” Van Doren said. “… He’s pretty locked in. Khalief Canty, Greg Smith the Rivals Midwest recruiting analyst thinks he’s the hidden gem of the class.”
Defensive line
“It’s cool that they checked off two boxes at the edge rusher spot,” Van Doren said. “… Getting Micah Nickerson, who is the highest-ranked recruit for the Tigers … DeMarcus Johnson, another just big defensive lineman, will stick on the outside most likely. … Composite four-star.”
Defensive skill positions
“Mizzou is still keeping its options open, it hosted a couple of cornerbacks this weekend,” Van Doren said. “… This year, I think ideally, you’d want two (cornerbacks). They were looking for a younger guy in the portal … I think ideally you want two and you’re still going to have to address it in the portal this winter.”
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