Rodney Colton Jr. scheduled his Missouri official visit before he even arrived for his unofficial Saturday.
Colton, a Class of 2026 linebacker, will return to see the Tigers officially June 6-8, and the main driver to get him on campus both times was new linebackers coach Derek Nicholson. Joining Missouri this offseason from Miami (FL), Nicholson has been instrumental in recruiting a new era of linebackers from the South.
"During practice, Coach D Nic was like a guru," Colton said. "It's like he teaches them how to shoot out of a cannon, and just the role the backers play is excellent. After practice, it was chill. He's just a great guy all around, and for him to be recruiting me, it means a lot."
Colton decommitted from South Carolina on Jan. 21, and Missouri was one of two schools to offer him that night. Nicholson visited Colton six days later, getting ample sit-down time with the four-star linebacker and his mother.
"Coach D Nic's my dawg," Colton said in February. "That's my guy. Great personality and real down to Earth. Outstanding coach."
During his position meeting with Nicholson on Saturday, Colton learned about coverage, filling and avoiding blocks and being explosive within the Tigers' scheme. While watching film from this past season, Colton envisioned himself destroying blocks and flying around Faurot Field.
"I didn't like anything about Missouri," Colton said. "I loved everything about it. The players, the coaches, the environment, everything. The facilities are amazing, and the new part of the stadium that's getting built in 2026 will be awesome."
"My visit was great," Smith said "I had a great time with Coach D Nic, and it was just a great experience. SEC ball brings so much energy on the defensive side of the ball, and it was shown today. I loved the way the defense flew around and brought energy early during the scrimmage."
Smith previously visited Georgia with Colton, but this past weekend marked his second SEC unofficial and the furthest visit from his hometown. He's received six offers, including one from Appalachian State, the program that coincidentally hired away former Missouri linebacker coach D.J. Smith.
"Me and Rodney are like a dynamic duo on and off the field," Smith said. "We go on visits together a lot, and we learned a lot about the program today. We both share with each other how we see ourselves on the field and the similar things that also go on at our school. Overall, it's a great experience sharing it with my brother."
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Colton, a Class of 2026 linebacker, will return to see the Tigers officially June 6-8, and the main driver to get him on campus both times was new linebackers coach Derek Nicholson. Joining Missouri this offseason from Miami (FL), Nicholson has been instrumental in recruiting a new era of linebackers from the South.
"During practice, Coach D Nic was like a guru," Colton said. "It's like he teaches them how to shoot out of a cannon, and just the role the backers play is excellent. After practice, it was chill. He's just a great guy all around, and for him to be recruiting me, it means a lot."
Colton decommitted from South Carolina on Jan. 21, and Missouri was one of two schools to offer him that night. Nicholson visited Colton six days later, getting ample sit-down time with the four-star linebacker and his mother.
"Coach D Nic's my dawg," Colton said in February. "That's my guy. Great personality and real down to Earth. Outstanding coach."
During his position meeting with Nicholson on Saturday, Colton learned about coverage, filling and avoiding blocks and being explosive within the Tigers' scheme. While watching film from this past season, Colton envisioned himself destroying blocks and flying around Faurot Field.
"I didn't like anything about Missouri," Colton said. "I loved everything about it. The players, the coaches, the environment, everything. The facilities are amazing, and the new part of the stadium that's getting built in 2026 will be awesome."
Smith visits second SEC school
Although unoffered by the Tigers, Josiah Smith joined his Newnan (Ga.) High teammate at Missouri for Junior Day. Like Colton, Smith, a fellow Class of 2026 linebacker, saw the defense excel Saturday."My visit was great," Smith said "I had a great time with Coach D Nic, and it was just a great experience. SEC ball brings so much energy on the defensive side of the ball, and it was shown today. I loved the way the defense flew around and brought energy early during the scrimmage."
Smith previously visited Georgia with Colton, but this past weekend marked his second SEC unofficial and the furthest visit from his hometown. He's received six offers, including one from Appalachian State, the program that coincidentally hired away former Missouri linebacker coach D.J. Smith.
"Me and Rodney are like a dynamic duo on and off the field," Smith said. "We go on visits together a lot, and we learned a lot about the program today. We both share with each other how we see ourselves on the field and the similar things that also go on at our school. Overall, it's a great experience sharing it with my brother."
Rodney Colton Jr., Josiah Smith rave about Derek Nicholson on Mizzou visit
Class of 2026 four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. will return to Missouri for an official visit in June.
