- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,243,920
- Reaction score
- 59
Special teams coordinators, rejoice. Because of a recent NCAA ruling, their jobs may now include significantly less mathematics.
With the introduction of the age-based eligibility model, giving all athletes the option to play five years of college athletics over five seasons and essentially eliminating all redshirts, there’s no real need for teams to keep track of exactly how many games freshmen play. They have five seasons no matter how much they see the field.
Previously, athletes had five years to complete four years of eligibility. If a Missouri football player appeared in four or fewer regular season games, they could retain a year of eligibility with a redshirt.
Those are gone now. Even if an incoming freshman sees the field in every single game this coming year, they still have four more years of eligibility remaining.
So, coaches no longer have to double-check if that rookie on the field goal unit has appeared in three or four regular-season games. As the rule change intended, that makes eligibility math a little easier to track.
Will that change how often we see some rookies on Faurot Field in 2026?
More: Why Eli Drinkwitz’s update on Ahmad Hardy was best-case for Mizzou
More: Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz says ‘there shouldn’t be committee’ for CFP
Mizzou signed a top-25-ranked class in the 2026 recruiting cycle, with 21 true freshmen poised to take part in fall camp.
Here are five players from that group who we think could instantly make an impact in Columbia:
There’s opportunity for defensive snaps at safety, where not a lot is obviously settled on the depth chart entering fall camp.
Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz named returners Santana Banner and Trajen Greco and transfers Elijah Dotson and Kensley Louidor-Faustin as possible players in that room at SEC Media Days, and then immediately mentioned his trio of 2026 recruits at safety: Brody Jones, Carter Stewart and Jayden McGregory.
“That room has got three freshmen that I think can really contribute at a high level for us,” the coach said. “And (I) look forward to Jayden McGregory being a guy that can play early.”
McGregory is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound recruit out of Des Moines, Iowa. Pair that college-ready frame with a need to fill out a room that lost Marvin Burks Jr. (Wisconsin), Daylan Carnell (NFL UDFA), Jalen Catalon (graduation) and Mose Phillips III (Oklahoma State), and there is opportunity in front of the rookie.
The California corner also earned a shoutout from the SEC Media Days stage.
“Jaxson Gates is another freshman that I think can play,” Drinkwitz said, “and play early.”
Mizzou flipped the four-star, top-200 recruit from BYU last fall. The Tigers have lost more than 90% of their snaps in the room to the NFL, with Toriano Pride Jr., Dreyden Norwood and Stephen Hall all moving on.
Mizzou hit the transfer portal hard at corner, with Chris Graves Jr. joining from Ole Miss and Oregon duo Jahlil Florence and Sione Laulea coming on board. It might turn out that those three make up the primary trio in 2026, but it’s noteworthy that Drinkwitz tossed Gates’ name into the mix in Tampa.
Mizzou has developed true freshmen linebackers with prominent special teams roles in each of the past two seasons. Nicholas Rodriguez will be a starter this year, and Dante McClellan looks likely to be part of the rotation.
Harris has the potential to be the next in line for that path to playing time.
The St. Louis University High product had offers from all over the SEC and Big Ten. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, so he might not quite be ready for a playing role on defense. But we could certainly see him featuring on various special teams units to get him some rookie experience.
Brady, listed at 6-1 and 206 pounds, arrives at Mizzou with a similar athletic profile to Donovan Olugbode, who was Mizzou’s best true freshman last season.
The receiver had massive production as a high school player in Fort Lauderdale, playing all four years and recording two 1,000+-yard years with double-digit touchdowns. He ran an 11.23-second 100-meter, which is good speed for his size.
The top of Mizzou’s depth chart is likely settled at wideout with Cayden Lee, Olugbode and Caleb Goodie, but there will be some competition for the next men up in fall camp.
Drinkwitz said projected starters Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall are among the players Mizzou needs to play well to have a successful year. We’re quite confident they have the main roles locked down at defensive tackle.
After that pair, there should be some competition to fill out the rotation.
Donta Simpson arrives as a second-year player from Miami. The Tigers return Jason Dowell and Sam Williams, but it looks like Elias Williams will miss significant time with an injury.
That might open the door for Overton, a top-200 national recruit at 247Sports, to fight for some time on the field early in his career.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Which true freshmen could make instant impact with Missouri football?
Continue reading...
With the introduction of the age-based eligibility model, giving all athletes the option to play five years of college athletics over five seasons and essentially eliminating all redshirts, there’s no real need for teams to keep track of exactly how many games freshmen play. They have five seasons no matter how much they see the field.
Previously, athletes had five years to complete four years of eligibility. If a Missouri football player appeared in four or fewer regular season games, they could retain a year of eligibility with a redshirt.
Those are gone now. Even if an incoming freshman sees the field in every single game this coming year, they still have four more years of eligibility remaining.
So, coaches no longer have to double-check if that rookie on the field goal unit has appeared in three or four regular-season games. As the rule change intended, that makes eligibility math a little easier to track.
Will that change how often we see some rookies on Faurot Field in 2026?
More: Why Eli Drinkwitz’s update on Ahmad Hardy was best-case for Mizzou
More: Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz says ‘there shouldn’t be committee’ for CFP
Mizzou signed a top-25-ranked class in the 2026 recruiting cycle, with 21 true freshmen poised to take part in fall camp.
Here are five players from that group who we think could instantly make an impact in Columbia:
Jayden McGregory, safety
There’s opportunity for defensive snaps at safety, where not a lot is obviously settled on the depth chart entering fall camp.
Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz named returners Santana Banner and Trajen Greco and transfers Elijah Dotson and Kensley Louidor-Faustin as possible players in that room at SEC Media Days, and then immediately mentioned his trio of 2026 recruits at safety: Brody Jones, Carter Stewart and Jayden McGregory.
“That room has got three freshmen that I think can really contribute at a high level for us,” the coach said. “And (I) look forward to Jayden McGregory being a guy that can play early.”
McGregory is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound recruit out of Des Moines, Iowa. Pair that college-ready frame with a need to fill out a room that lost Marvin Burks Jr. (Wisconsin), Daylan Carnell (NFL UDFA), Jalen Catalon (graduation) and Mose Phillips III (Oklahoma State), and there is opportunity in front of the rookie.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jaxson Gates, cornerback
The California corner also earned a shoutout from the SEC Media Days stage.
“Jaxson Gates is another freshman that I think can play,” Drinkwitz said, “and play early.”
Mizzou flipped the four-star, top-200 recruit from BYU last fall. The Tigers have lost more than 90% of their snaps in the room to the NFL, with Toriano Pride Jr., Dreyden Norwood and Stephen Hall all moving on.
Mizzou hit the transfer portal hard at corner, with Chris Graves Jr. joining from Ole Miss and Oregon duo Jahlil Florence and Sione Laulea coming on board. It might turn out that those three make up the primary trio in 2026, but it’s noteworthy that Drinkwitz tossed Gates’ name into the mix in Tampa.
Keenan Harris, linebacker
Mizzou has developed true freshmen linebackers with prominent special teams roles in each of the past two seasons. Nicholas Rodriguez will be a starter this year, and Dante McClellan looks likely to be part of the rotation.
Harris has the potential to be the next in line for that path to playing time.
The St. Louis University High product had offers from all over the SEC and Big Ten. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, so he might not quite be ready for a playing role on defense. But we could certainly see him featuring on various special teams units to get him some rookie experience.
Jabari Brady, wide receiver
Brady, listed at 6-1 and 206 pounds, arrives at Mizzou with a similar athletic profile to Donovan Olugbode, who was Mizzou’s best true freshman last season.
The receiver had massive production as a high school player in Fort Lauderdale, playing all four years and recording two 1,000+-yard years with double-digit touchdowns. He ran an 11.23-second 100-meter, which is good speed for his size.
The top of Mizzou’s depth chart is likely settled at wideout with Cayden Lee, Olugbode and Caleb Goodie, but there will be some competition for the next men up in fall camp.
Tajh Overton, defensive tackle
You must be registered for see images attach
Drinkwitz said projected starters Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall are among the players Mizzou needs to play well to have a successful year. We’re quite confident they have the main roles locked down at defensive tackle.
After that pair, there should be some competition to fill out the rotation.
Donta Simpson arrives as a second-year player from Miami. The Tigers return Jason Dowell and Sam Williams, but it looks like Elias Williams will miss significant time with an injury.
That might open the door for Overton, a top-200 national recruit at 247Sports, to fight for some time on the field early in his career.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Which true freshmen could make instant impact with Missouri football?
Continue reading...
