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The last pieces of Missouri football’s 2025 roster will come together over, give or take, the next 10 days.
The college football transfer portal will reopen for new entries from Wednesday April 16 through Friday, April 25. Mizzou’s strategy in this final roster-building stretch is much more likely to be reactive than proactive, although there could be a couple exceptions.
“I think we have a very cohesive football team,” MU coach Eli Drinkwitz said April 8. “So unless there's a huge surprise, which I haven't seen so far, I don't anticipate that we have to go get this position or that position.”
Instead, the Tigers are likely to follow a one-out, one-in method, Drinkwitz said. For every portal exit, there’s a good chance there will be a like-for-like portal acquisition.
There are, of course, stipulations, which will rise on a case-by-case basis. Most notably, Drinkwitz said, “if we feel like we need to create some competition because players aren't achieving at the level that we want them to and we need to challenge them.”
So, buckle in. The portal is about to be open for both college football and college basketball, setting the stage for a frantic couple weeks.
Here are the positions Missouri football is likely to target over the course of the next 10 or so days:
The top of the Tigers’ lineup at defensive tackle is strong with Chris McClellan and Sterling Webb returning.
But, the rest of the rotating cast is getting a challenge.
“Really encouraging both Jalen Marshall and Marquis Gracial to take that next step,” Drinkwitz said. “They've been in the rotation and kind of waiting their turn. We don't need them to wait any longer. It's their time to play.”
Reading between the lines, that sounds an awful lot like the type of position where Drinkwitz said the Tigers may “create some competition.” Since there still appears to be somewhat of a question there, Mizzou may prefer to add some proven production via the portal to add to the competition.
Defensive tackle was the only position on the roster that Missouri did not add a player in its 18-player winter transfer portal class. After assessing the options in the spring, there is a good chance that changes before the spring window closes.
Mizzou has its primary option at wide receiver, with Mississippi State transfer and St. Louis native Kevin Coleman Jr. set to line up in the slot. Returning wideouts Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning appear likely to occupy the other starting roles.
In some form or fashion, Donovan Olugbode, James Madison II and Daniel Blood are the current candidates to make up the rotating cast. Do the math, and that’s a flat two-deep at each spot, if everything remains in tact.
Mizzou seems likely to add another player to that room to bolster its depth. As it currently stands, there isn’t much depth beyond the two-deep, which could become a problem if any injuries hit the position.
Three positions appear to be locked up along the offensive line: Cayden Green at left guard; Wake Forest transfer Keagan Trost at right tackle; and Connor Tollison at center, provided he is able to return from an injury that caused him to miss the end of the 2024 campaign.
If Mizzou is going to add competition anywhere, it’s likely to be at left tackle.
The competition for either Beau Pribula or Sam Horn’s next blindside blocker is currently between West Virginia transfer Johnny Williams IV and returner Jayven Richardson. Drinkwitz also indicated he wants to allow Logan Reichert, who missed most of the spring with an injury, to compete for reps at either left tackle or right guard.
Mizzou doesn’t necessarily need to take another tackle. The numbers are there. But, it’s a vital spot to get right, and another challenger — especially since the battle is headed into the fall — might not hurt.
Expect the Tigers to at least test the waters here.
Drinkwitz said the Tigers’ quarterback competition is down to two players, which means Beau Pribula and Sam Horn are battling for starting duties.
But, with No. 3 option Drew Pyne transferring to Bowling Green and promising rookie project Matt Zollers now a couple of plays away from entering as an emergency option, do the Tigers need to add another player to the room?
It’s possible that Missouri targets a graduate with the sole intent of spending a year with the program as a backup and break-glass case. If the Tigers do go that route, it would likely be a player similar to Pyne or Jack Abraham from a couple seasons ago.
More: Missouri basketball center Josh Gray has entered the transfer portal. But, can he do that?
More: What Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz said about QB battle between Pribula, Horn
So far, Pyne, defensive end Jahkai Lang, linebacker Mikai Gbayor, cornerback Ja'Marion Wayne and center Talan Chandler have entered the portal. Drinkwitz said he doesn’t expect more than eight players to leave MU in this window, which would mean three more players, if he's right.
If Mizzou makes a splash in a one-for-one move at any of the above positions, it’s likely to be a young, developmental piece.
The Tigers’ depth at defensive end is already strong. Linebacker, with the return of Triston Newson via the NCAA’s junior college waiver, appears to be in a good position. Washington State transfer Stephen Hall and returner Toriano Pride Jr. will battle for the opposite starting corner spot to Dreyden Norwood. Chandler was already down the depth chart at center, and Michigan transfer Dominick Giudice or returner Tristan Wilson is likely to be the emergency backup to Tollison.
Any other case of portal exits will operate on a case-by-case basis for whether Mizzou wants to add a replacement.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here’s what Missouri football will target in spring transfer portal
Continue reading...
The college football transfer portal will reopen for new entries from Wednesday April 16 through Friday, April 25. Mizzou’s strategy in this final roster-building stretch is much more likely to be reactive than proactive, although there could be a couple exceptions.
“I think we have a very cohesive football team,” MU coach Eli Drinkwitz said April 8. “So unless there's a huge surprise, which I haven't seen so far, I don't anticipate that we have to go get this position or that position.”
Instead, the Tigers are likely to follow a one-out, one-in method, Drinkwitz said. For every portal exit, there’s a good chance there will be a like-for-like portal acquisition.
There are, of course, stipulations, which will rise on a case-by-case basis. Most notably, Drinkwitz said, “if we feel like we need to create some competition because players aren't achieving at the level that we want them to and we need to challenge them.”
So, buckle in. The portal is about to be open for both college football and college basketball, setting the stage for a frantic couple weeks.
Here are the positions Missouri football is likely to target over the course of the next 10 or so days:
Defensive tackle likely are of need for Missouri football
The top of the Tigers’ lineup at defensive tackle is strong with Chris McClellan and Sterling Webb returning.
But, the rest of the rotating cast is getting a challenge.
“Really encouraging both Jalen Marshall and Marquis Gracial to take that next step,” Drinkwitz said. “They've been in the rotation and kind of waiting their turn. We don't need them to wait any longer. It's their time to play.”
Reading between the lines, that sounds an awful lot like the type of position where Drinkwitz said the Tigers may “create some competition.” Since there still appears to be somewhat of a question there, Mizzou may prefer to add some proven production via the portal to add to the competition.
Defensive tackle was the only position on the roster that Missouri did not add a player in its 18-player winter transfer portal class. After assessing the options in the spring, there is a good chance that changes before the spring window closes.
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Mizzou needs depth at wide receiver
Mizzou has its primary option at wide receiver, with Mississippi State transfer and St. Louis native Kevin Coleman Jr. set to line up in the slot. Returning wideouts Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning appear likely to occupy the other starting roles.
In some form or fashion, Donovan Olugbode, James Madison II and Daniel Blood are the current candidates to make up the rotating cast. Do the math, and that’s a flat two-deep at each spot, if everything remains in tact.
Mizzou seems likely to add another player to that room to bolster its depth. As it currently stands, there isn’t much depth beyond the two-deep, which could become a problem if any injuries hit the position.
Should Missouri add another left tackle?
Three positions appear to be locked up along the offensive line: Cayden Green at left guard; Wake Forest transfer Keagan Trost at right tackle; and Connor Tollison at center, provided he is able to return from an injury that caused him to miss the end of the 2024 campaign.
If Mizzou is going to add competition anywhere, it’s likely to be at left tackle.
The competition for either Beau Pribula or Sam Horn’s next blindside blocker is currently between West Virginia transfer Johnny Williams IV and returner Jayven Richardson. Drinkwitz also indicated he wants to allow Logan Reichert, who missed most of the spring with an injury, to compete for reps at either left tackle or right guard.
Mizzou doesn’t necessarily need to take another tackle. The numbers are there. But, it’s a vital spot to get right, and another challenger — especially since the battle is headed into the fall — might not hurt.
Expect the Tigers to at least test the waters here.
Will Mizzou target a backup QB?
Drinkwitz said the Tigers’ quarterback competition is down to two players, which means Beau Pribula and Sam Horn are battling for starting duties.
But, with No. 3 option Drew Pyne transferring to Bowling Green and promising rookie project Matt Zollers now a couple of plays away from entering as an emergency option, do the Tigers need to add another player to the room?
It’s possible that Missouri targets a graduate with the sole intent of spending a year with the program as a backup and break-glass case. If the Tigers do go that route, it would likely be a player similar to Pyne or Jack Abraham from a couple seasons ago.
How flexible is Mizzou likely to be?
More: Missouri basketball center Josh Gray has entered the transfer portal. But, can he do that?
More: What Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz said about QB battle between Pribula, Horn
So far, Pyne, defensive end Jahkai Lang, linebacker Mikai Gbayor, cornerback Ja'Marion Wayne and center Talan Chandler have entered the portal. Drinkwitz said he doesn’t expect more than eight players to leave MU in this window, which would mean three more players, if he's right.
If Mizzou makes a splash in a one-for-one move at any of the above positions, it’s likely to be a young, developmental piece.
The Tigers’ depth at defensive end is already strong. Linebacker, with the return of Triston Newson via the NCAA’s junior college waiver, appears to be in a good position. Washington State transfer Stephen Hall and returner Toriano Pride Jr. will battle for the opposite starting corner spot to Dreyden Norwood. Chandler was already down the depth chart at center, and Michigan transfer Dominick Giudice or returner Tristan Wilson is likely to be the emergency backup to Tollison.
Any other case of portal exits will operate on a case-by-case basis for whether Mizzou wants to add a replacement.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here’s what Missouri football will target in spring transfer portal
Continue reading...
