Jeff Borzello says that we are not done rising, either. Six SEC teams in the top 12, three more in the next 13 spots, Kentucky, Miss State, Ole Miss. Exciting times!

I am most worried about the Arkansas game coming up tomorrow, thru the end of the season, with Vandy a close second.

1. Possible let down factor from the Bama game even though we seem to have been pretty even keel all year
2. Arky needs the win really, really bad
3. Rivalry game
4. We are becoming the hunted now instead of the hunter
5. Possibly we are bound to have a game like we did against Texass

Vandy
1. Playing in Vandy is always tough
2. They need the win also
3. Maybe some of the same reasons above??
4. For once they are actually a decent team and opponent

SC--we probably play awful and still win walking away
Oklahoma--It is their senior game but I still dont think they have the horses to pull it off unless we just don't show up
Kentucky--They still might not be 100%, I believe we are way better than them (overrated for their ranking) regardless, and it is our senior nite and the place will be rocking

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Fire away....

Unexpected update saying Josh Gray is questionable for tomorrow. We’ll have to wait and see his status for tomorrow.

Missouri will host two Junior Days on March 8 and 15 while opening its doors to recruits for spring practices throughout the weekdays next month. Here's the latest from recruits planning to visit the Tigers then.

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Class of 2026 defensive tackle Elijah Berman will return to Missouri for his second visit in three months March 15. All four of his offers have come from MAC schools while he lost part of his junior season to an injury.

Tabbed as a player to monitor for an offer last visit, Berman has made his rounds with visits to top regional schools. The Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade-Julienne tackle has jumped on the radar of other Power Four programs, including Indiana and Northwestern.

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The Tigers' top defensive end target, Titan Davis, will return to Missouri to begin a long stretch of unofficial visits starting March 8. He will then travel to Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Auburn, Texas A&M and USC.

Davis announced a Top 14 of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas State, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC and Wisconsin on Friday.

Missouri pledge Anthony Kennedy Jr. said after Junior Day he's been vying for Davis, the No. 86 recruit in the 2026 class, to join him in Columbia.

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A fairly new target for Missouri, Pete Eglitis visited Missouri for the first time Jan. 18 before receiving an offer in early February. Safeties coach Jacob Yoro visited him in school before the offer from assistant offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie, showing him the Tigers had legitimate interest.

While not the top offensive line target from Ohio for the Tigers, as the program has eyes on Ben Congdon and Sam Greer, Eglitis has emerged as a late bloomer in regard to recruitment in the 2026 class. He'll be back in Columbia on March 12.

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Defensive graduate assistant Bo Els gave Dana Greenhow a lay of the land on the Missouri program before offering the Class of 2026 cornerback Monday. Greenhow displayed defensive versatility that landed himself on the Tigers' list for the first.

Greenhow, who has scheduled official visits to Indiana, Liberty and North Carolina State, will visit Missouri this spring.

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Priority tight end Isaac Jensen will begin his visit schedule with Missouri on March 15 before trips to Florida State (March 27), Auburn (March 28), Iowa State (April 5) and Kansas State (April 18). Jensen is also in the process of locking in an official visit to Missouri for June 6-8, he told MizzouToday.

Jensen, who last visited Missouri on Nov. 9 for the Oklahoma game, has a lot of top programs after him. The No. 2 recruit in Nebraska has a former teammate -- Chase Loftin -- on the Seminoles, but when he last spoke about his options, he noted it's been a hard process to trim down his list.

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Class of 2027 three-star linebacker Roman Igwebuike will join Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel teammates Quentin Burrell and Tavares Harrington on an unofficial visit to Missouri on March 8, he told MizzouToday. Igwebuike, the No. 9 recruit in Illinois, received eight offers in January.

After winning a state title in December, Mt. Carmel hosted a wide range of colleges during the NCAA Contact Period. Missouri ended up offering six players between the 2026-2028 classes.

Elite Camp​

Missouri started handing out Elite Camp invites this past week, and two Arkansas recruits publicly locked in a spot for the summer event. Class of 2026 running back Brady Penister and Class of 2027 cornerback Roy Holmes will attend the June 5 session.

Among the group of Junction City (Ark.) High recruits who visited for Junior Day on Jan. 18, Penister sounded determined to get on the Tigers' radar, as it's not as common to see rising seniors at summer camps.

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Holmes didn't visit Missouri in January, but the Tigers staff inquired about him during a trip to Little Rock (Ark.) Central to see Kennedy and meet a new coaching staff. Holmes has been noted to have top-level speed.

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Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore offered Class of 2026 quarterback Jett Thomalla on Friday. Thomalla is teammates at Omaha (Neb.) Millard South with Tigers target Isaac Jensen, a three-star tight end.

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Dennis Gates held a zoom press conference yesterday ahead of the Tigers’ matchup with Arkansas. Here are some quotes I found telling.

More great work from the video crew

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Three-star Isaac Jensen is in the process of locking in an official visit to Missouri for June 6-8, he told MizzouToday. He will be back in Columbia for an unofficial visit March 15.

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Did M U win their opening contest?

Here's a glance at all the non-Mizzou action on the SEC slate from Tuesday and Wednesday.

This isn't a surprise, given he said it was in the works, but Rodney Colton Jr. will get to Missouri for an official visit the weekend of June 6.

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The former South Carolina commit was offered by linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, who recruited him at Miami (FL). Nicholson made an in-home visit in late January.

"Coach D Nic's my dawg," Colton wrote. "That's my guy. Great personality and real down to Earth. Outstanding coach."

Once again, the Tigers spent three quarters playing basically even with a top-25 team. And once again the third quarter spelled the Tigers' demise.

She really has done well.

This thread will be updated with visitors for Junior Days on March 8 and 15 and spring practices.

March 8:

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Caleb Grill was the hottest shooter in college basketball for a handful of games until teams changed how they were guarding him. Now, he's had to change the way he affects games, and he's done it well.

On the latest episode of The Unwritten Rule, the guys take a look back at how Missouri defeated Alabama before jumping into a preview of the Arkansas game.

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D'Montae Tims never thought he'd make it this far.

The Florida native knew he had talent to play football longer than his peers, but when his recruitment took off in January, he realized he had a real shot to play for a top program, including one in the SEC.

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Three-star nickel Tony Forney Jr. scheduled an official visit to Missouri for June 20-22. Safeties coach Jacob Yoro offered the versatile defensive back during the NCAA Contact Period in January.

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From Feb. 6:

Yoro added another target to the Tigers' board from Marietta (Ga.) Kelly on Jan. 22, offering Forney over the phone. Forney impressed Yoro with his versatility in the secondary. Missouri also had offers out to Kell linebacker Brayden Rouse and nickel cornerback Jalen Williams. Rouse, who has seen a huge recruiting surge his junior year, added he wasn't sure who from Missouri stopped by Kell this past NCAA Contact period.

Aaron Bradshaw remembered Henry Fenuku's excitement after receiving an offer from Missouri.

While a rising junior at the time in February 2024, Bradshaw listened to all the positives Fenuku had about the Tigers, as the program boasted a family-like feel. That excitement replicated Tuesday -- when Missouri called.

"When I got that Mizzou offer, man, I was slobbering at the mouth," Bradshaw said. "That's been an offer that, me personally, I've been waiting on for a minute here."

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Bradshaw held a short conversation with defensive coordinator Corey Batoon and safeties coach Jacob Yoro on his way to a workout, so he didn't learn much about the Tigers in that moment.

Fenuku, his former Fort Worth (Tex.) North Crowley teammate, got on the phone with Bradshaw to talk about the offer. Fenuku, who enrolled in January, talked about the Tigers' environment and what the best friends would get up to if Bradshaw joined him in Columbia.

North Crowley coach Ray Gates has built a close relationship with Missouri offensive line coach Brandon Jones over the years, but no Tigers staffer stopped by to see Bradshaw during the NCAA Dead Period.

"I'm looking forward to building a strong relationship with them guys for a very long time," Bradshaw said. "Hopefully, after the Dead Period, I could get face to face with those guys, put a face to a name."

Bradshaw felt like his biggest development came in being elite all the time. He focused on the little things off the field: making his bed, turning his assignments in on time, etc.

"I noticed a change in my game, when I changed my life," Bradshaw said. "When I started improving in my life, my game started improving."

Around Week 9 of his junior season, before the postseason started, Bradshaw acknowledged he needed to step up as a person within the North Crowley program and for the school, leading to a state title over Duncanville (Tex.) High.

"I had to lock in, no stones unturned," Bradshaw said. "I find it easy when you have like, 'Okay, so we got to beat Duncanville, so there's work to beat Duncanville,' but after we beat Duncanville, now it's just like, 'How can we stay better than than the best?'"

With his sights set on visiting Missouri for the first time this spring, Bradshaw also wants to get out to TCU and West Virginia. He has official visits set with Houston (June 5-7) and Texas Tech (20-22).

I was not able to watch the Bama game. Are there ant game highlights available to view?

The Mizzou softball pitchers haven’t had an incredible start to the season, but coach Larissa Anderson isn’t discouraged.

Spring recruiting visits are starting to take shape for Eli Drinkwitz and the football program, but we start with some confirmed coaching news in this week’s Friday File.

The most important football update is there is no change at offensive coordinator. The Saints and Kellen Moore hired Doug Nussmeier on Thursday to go from Philadelphia with Moore to New Orleans, so Kellen’s brother, Kirby Moore, is staying in Columbia for at least another season.

Kirby’s name really didn’t pop up at all when I was reaching out to people, so I don’t think it was ever really a possibility. But, it’s nice to have it settled that he is not going to New Orleans.

We’re to the point where I can’t imagine burning Trent Burns’ redshirt is a move the team would make unless Dennis Gates thinks he’s the key to taking another big step forward as a postseason threat, which just doesn’t click for me as a freshman who hasn’t played a minute of college basketball.

Gates won’t say it, but it seems like the decision has been made. Burns won’t play this year even though he’s been a part of pre-game warmups and the pre-game dunk contest each of the past few home games. It’s definitely interesting to watch him move around: he’s coordinated and looks healthy, but there’s just something about a 7-foot-5 body in motion that never looks smooth.

Additionally as a fun note, I think the Tigers have really liked having Tre Gomillion on staff this season. I wasn’t a huge believer in his talent on the court when he was part of the 2022-23 team, though he was a key piece at times. But, he’s clearly connected with the guys and helps with team camaraderie. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is he’s always the coach out working with guys who want to get extra shots up.

After the women’s basketball game last Sunday, I was staying in the arena to write. Because it was an earlier game, they didn’t actually turn the lights off on me like they have for previous mid-week games. As I was writing, out came Gomillion and Marcus Allen on to the floor. Allen worked his way around the 3-point line, and his shot looked pretty smooth without any defensive pressure coming his way. The pair stayed out there and were still working as I finished up and left.

Then, Gomillion was out with Trent Pierce, as he usually is before games while Pierce works on his free throws. Usually Pierce is the only player on the floor when I get to games 2.5 hours before tipoff, and Gomillion is always out there with him. It’s just fun after hearing Gates talk about “Coach Tre” while he was on the roster and how important he was in that regard to see him taking those first steps into his coaching career and returning to be with Gates’ staff.

I couldn’t tell you for sure how much he’s contributed to this year’s team, but it feels like he’s been a piece of the connection between players and the staff.

Similar to the discussion about Trent Burns, it feels like we’re not going to see Ma’Rya Vincent this year as she completes her recovery from a torn ACL. Vincent was a highly-touted recruit and should be a piece of the Tigers’ lineup starting next year, although this could be a tumultuous off-season for the women’s basketball team. Hard to say at this point what the team will look like a few months from now.

Missouri handed out official visit graphics this past week, taking a little longer than other schools to receive visit announcements on social media from Class of 2026 recruits. That’s nothing to worry about, though, as the Tigers started to plot a growing list of visitors for May and June.

Here’s a snapshot of the confirmed official visitors as of Friday morning:

May 30-June 1:

Noah Best: There’s a strong belief the Midlothian (Tex.) High interior offensive lineman will sign with Oklahoma, but the four-star is still doing his due diligence to visit his top suitors. Best’s official visit schedule will start in Missouri, where he has family in Imperial.

JJ Bush: A three-star linebacker who visited Missouri for the first time in November, Bush was originally recruited to play in the secondary under safeties coach Jacob Yoro. However, when Derek Nicholson, someone Bush compared to a father figure, moved over from Miami (FL), the focus shifted to linebacker. It’ll be Bush’s first official visit on his calendar.

June 6-8:

Asharri Charles: Defensive tackles coach David Blackwell played the biggest part in getting the attention of Charles after offering the four-star edge defender in January. Blackwell was instrumental in signing Georgia transfer Damon Wilson II, who Charles considers a big brother, being a product of Venice (Fla.) High as well.

Evan Goodwin: From daily texts with Drinkwitz, weekly calls with Brandon Jones and film study with Evan Boehm, it is clear Missouri has made Goodwin a priority offensive tackle in the 2026 class. Goodwin has started to pick up more interest from top schools like Notre Dame and Ohio State, but it was a no-brainer to take an official visit to Missouri.

Camden Jensen: The Littleton (Co.) Heritage tight end slotted Missouri into his Top 7 before planning out his official visits. His relationship with Derham Cato began before the staffer took over tight end coaching duties this past season, and with Cato’s connections to Colorado, the Tigers are in a good spot for Jensen, who previously visited this past summer.

Jayden McGregory: Slotting Missouri into his Top 8 this past week, McGregory’s interest in the Tigers started to grow more during the NCAA Contact Period. Yoro visited him in-person after hosting him for a big visit weekend during the Oklahoma game in November. McGregory isn’t actively discussing his recruitment with a lot of the media.

June 20-22:

Tony Forney Jr.: Safeties coach Jacob Yoro offered the three-star nickel over the phone near the end of the NCAA Contact Period, admiring the defensive back’s versatility. The Tigers landed cornerback Mark Manfred from Georgia in the 2025 class.

Bennett Fraser: After participating in a camp in June and visiting in October, Fraser knew what he needed to work on in order to receive an offer from his in-state program. He fulfilled that dream after his Junior Day visit in January, and with Kansas State and Missouri being his top offers, there’s a strong chance the Tigers can land Fraser.

Anthony Kennedy Jr.: The lone 2026 pledge for the Tigers originally planned an official visit to Missouri for April before locking in a trip late into the official visit calendar. Other programs, like LSU, are pulling for Kennedy, who received his first Power Four offer from Missouri and Al Davis during his freshman season.

D'Montae Tims: Receiving an offer from Yoro during the NCAA Contact Period, Tims felt like Missouri was a place to see in person. He felt the straightforwardness of the safeties coach right away, wanting to also get on campus for a spring practice to see Yoro in action. Tims, a three-star safety, is a huge fan of Dreyden Norwood.

Notable unofficial Class of 2026 visitors in March: Titan Davis (March 8), Pete Eglitis (March 12), Mason James (March 18-19), Isaac Jensen (March 15) and Gavin Sidwar (TBD).

I'm back at a smoke-free Mizzou Arena as the Tiger women are hosting Kentucky at 6:30.

Here are tonight's starters.



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Some of you can put your minds to rest now!

3. MISSOURI​

Missouri isn't just elated to have Ahmad Hardy onboard because he is an excellent player. The Tigers needed Hardy after losing freshman Kewan Lacy to Ole Miss.

Hardy was a star for ULM as a freshman – running for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now he has three seasons of eligibility remaining as he looks to continue his productive ways in the SEC.

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