Among the numerous offers Missouri extended in the past three weeks, 10 recruits from the Midwest and California discussed their Missouri offers and in-person visits from staffers with MizzouToday.
The NCAA Contact Period opened Jan. 6, offering college coaches full access to contact and visit prospective players until Feb. 1. Tigers staffers have continued to travel the country to establish relationship and first points of contact with recruits of different classes.
Director of scouting Jared Russell extended a preferred walk-on offer to Class of 2025 offensive tackle Nolan Center on Saturday. Center, who plays at Sullivan (Mo.) High, always dreamed of playing Division-I football, but he's still considering all of his options.
"I have grown up a Mizzou fan my entire life," Center said. "My bathroom has been decorated in Mizzou football since I was a kid, so it's always been a dream. I've also had many family and friends who have attended school there. ... I want what's best financially for my dad and I, but I also think I have what it takes to play at that high level."
During a basketball practice Jan. 16, Simote Katoanga was pulled aside to speak with Missouri safeties coach Jacob Yoro, who was on a recruiting trip through California. The two jumped on a phone call later to discuss why the Tigers were starting to recruit more of the West Coast.
"Knowing Coach Yoro is from the West Coast already created that unique bond," Katoanga said.
Missouri admired the physicality and effort from the Class of 2026 three-star edge rusher, keeping tabs on more players from San Juan Capistrano (Cali.) JSerra Catholic. The Tigers extended an offer to Class of 2026 quarterback Ryan Hopkins in October and Class of 2028 defensive end Marcus Fakatou this past week.
"Always love having an option to play with family," Katoanga said. "Ryan is my guy and so happy he received an offer from Mizzou. He's the real deal and his speed is different. I knew he was due for some offers before the season and seeing him now is just barely scratching the surface."
Before Claude Mpouma's junior year at Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel, football coach Jordan Lynch grabbed him by the neck and guided him from the basketball court to the football field, where he's now become a top recruit in the state of Illinois.
Mpouma grew up on soccer before moving over to basketball in high school. His 6-foot-8, 305-pound frame offered an easy transition to football, where he's garnered nearly 20 offers in the past five months.
"I want to say on the physical part, because everybody said that for me being a basketball player that would have probably been the toughest part for me to get in the sport," Mpouma said about the transition to football. "But I feel like I was really comfortable with it, and I really know I knew how to handle it."
Missouri offensive line coach Brandon Jones offered Mpouma on Saturday after tight ends coach Derham Cato went to visit the Class of 2026 three-star Friday.
Seven more recruits who received offers from the Tigers this past month:
missouri.rivals.com
The NCAA Contact Period opened Jan. 6, offering college coaches full access to contact and visit prospective players until Feb. 1. Tigers staffers have continued to travel the country to establish relationship and first points of contact with recruits of different classes.
Director of scouting Jared Russell extended a preferred walk-on offer to Class of 2025 offensive tackle Nolan Center on Saturday. Center, who plays at Sullivan (Mo.) High, always dreamed of playing Division-I football, but he's still considering all of his options.
"I have grown up a Mizzou fan my entire life," Center said. "My bathroom has been decorated in Mizzou football since I was a kid, so it's always been a dream. I've also had many family and friends who have attended school there. ... I want what's best financially for my dad and I, but I also think I have what it takes to play at that high level."
During a basketball practice Jan. 16, Simote Katoanga was pulled aside to speak with Missouri safeties coach Jacob Yoro, who was on a recruiting trip through California. The two jumped on a phone call later to discuss why the Tigers were starting to recruit more of the West Coast.
"Knowing Coach Yoro is from the West Coast already created that unique bond," Katoanga said.
Missouri admired the physicality and effort from the Class of 2026 three-star edge rusher, keeping tabs on more players from San Juan Capistrano (Cali.) JSerra Catholic. The Tigers extended an offer to Class of 2026 quarterback Ryan Hopkins in October and Class of 2028 defensive end Marcus Fakatou this past week.
"Always love having an option to play with family," Katoanga said. "Ryan is my guy and so happy he received an offer from Mizzou. He's the real deal and his speed is different. I knew he was due for some offers before the season and seeing him now is just barely scratching the surface."
Before Claude Mpouma's junior year at Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel, football coach Jordan Lynch grabbed him by the neck and guided him from the basketball court to the football field, where he's now become a top recruit in the state of Illinois.
Mpouma grew up on soccer before moving over to basketball in high school. His 6-foot-8, 305-pound frame offered an easy transition to football, where he's garnered nearly 20 offers in the past five months.
"I want to say on the physical part, because everybody said that for me being a basketball player that would have probably been the toughest part for me to get in the sport," Mpouma said about the transition to football. "But I feel like I was really comfortable with it, and I really know I knew how to handle it."
Missouri offensive line coach Brandon Jones offered Mpouma on Saturday after tight ends coach Derham Cato went to visit the Class of 2026 three-star Friday.
Seven more recruits who received offers from the Tigers this past month:
California, Midwest recruits recap Mizzou offers, conversations in January
California and Midwest recruits dished the latest in their conversations with Missouri coaches.
