Missouri scheduled two Junior Days for March 8 and 15, while opening spring practices to recruits as well.
The Tigers will host a flurry of prospects in the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes, while looking to lock in more official visitors for this spring and summer. Here's the latest on nine Missouri targets.
O'Mari Johnson told Rivals.com he's planning official visits to Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tulane. Johnson, who hasn't visited Missouri or received an in-school visit from Tigers staffers, noted consistent communication with wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler.
Mississippi connections run deep between Missouri staffers and Johnson. Peeler and director of recruiting communications and strategy Maurey Bland, who offered Johnson in November 2023, are both Mississippi natives.
"I'd got somebody I trust -- where I'm from -- with my future," Johnson said.
Peeler's résumé with "Nasty Wideouts" and producing NFL wide receivers at multiple schools has attracted Johnson to Missouri. Johnson suffered an ACL injury in his junior season and only played in one game. He's returned to the field for 7-on-7, continuing to improve his route running and catching.
"They like my ability to get yards after the catch and score when the ball is in my hands," Johnson said.
Before an official visit to Missouri, Johnson plans to take an unofficial visit in March.
The Tigers' lone commit in the 2026 class, Anthony Kennedy Jr., scheduled his official visit for June 20-22, a source close to his recruitment confirmed. The three-star defensive end, who is being pursued by other programs, previously told MizzouToday he planned to take his official visit to Missouri in April.
Tight ends coach Derham Cato stopped by Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian on Jan. 22 to meet Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Kannon Smith. Later that day, he called Smith to let him know the Tigers wanted to offer him.
Missouri liked Smith's athleticism and ability to move at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds. Cato said the Tigers planned to visit Smith again in April and look into dates for a visit after then. The program also has a Valor Christian target in Class of 2027 lineman Reis Russell.
Four-star wide receiver Landon Blum, the No. 245 recruit in the 2027 class, will make an unofficial visit to Missouri on either March 8 or 15, depending on when his basketball season ends at Woodbine (Iowa) High.
Peeler and special teams coordinator Erik Link also invited Blum to the Elite Camps on June 5 and 12. The staffers previously extended a game invitation to Blum for the 2024 season opener in August following a flyer for the camp schedule this past summer.
Class of 2027 three-star safety Tavares Harrington will take his first unofficial visit to Missouri for Junior Day on March 8. Tigers offensive line coach Brandon Jones offered Harrington and other Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel recruits Jan. 28.
"I have always been somewhat a fan of Mizzou, watching a lot of their games and knowing a lot of there players," Harrington said Feb. 4. "I have always wanted to see what the school is about, and now, I have the chance!"
Missouri handed out two offers at Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods on Jan. 27 after evaluating three prospects. Class of 2027 lineman Lual Aleu and Jaylen Mercer added SEC scholarships while running back Isaiah Garrett remained on the radar of the Tigers.
Mercer, a Rivals250 defensive end, looked more comfortable off the line from his freshman to sophomore season. Defensive line coach Brian Early, who didn't make the trip, knew the Tigers needed to get an offer out to Mercer.
"I honestly want to play in the SEC, though, because that's where the big time players are," Mercer said. "Not saying the Big 10 ain't got big-time players, but the SEC is where it's really at."
Mercer is planning to visit Missouri in March with his teammates, Aleu and Garrett. At the moment, he's high on Tennessee, a school he's planning a return visit to, while also looking into trips to Oregon and Penn State.
Carter Barrett, who made an unofficial visit to Missouri on Nov. 9, received an offer from the Tigers on Jan. 24, planning to return for Junior Day on March 15. Listed as an athlete at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Barrett jumped on Missouri's radar as an offensive lineman.
"It means a lot to me to have an SEC school on me early," Barrett said. "It's a really cool opportunity to be exposed to a school like that this early on. ... My biggest areas of growth were in my ability finishing blocks, physicality and overall technical aspects of the position."
Assistant director of player personnel Wayne Younger, who assists with wide receivers, offered Class of 2028 wideout Cameron Fuse on Jan. 22. Fuse, who wrapped up his freshman season at Lakeland (Fla.) High this past fall, pointed to growth in learning playbooks and adapting to pace of play. In Fuse's eyes, his top offers have came from Miami (FL) and Tennessee.
Safeties coach Jacob Yoro spent parts of the NCAA Contact Period in California, but he didn't get to meet Class of 2028 cornerback Pole Moala in person. Yoro recently followed Moala on X (formerly Twitter) and offered the Lawndale (Cali.) Leuzinger defensive back.
"In this past year, I think I honestly improved on my technique as a corner as well as my understanding of situational football overall due to all the close game moments we've been through," Moala said.
Moala received his first SEC from the Tigers on Wednesday, marking his 10th scholarship. He's garnered attention from programs across the country, including Penn State, but the freshman noted he's keeping his head down through the recruiting process.
missouri.rivals.com
The Tigers will host a flurry of prospects in the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes, while looking to lock in more official visitors for this spring and summer. Here's the latest on nine Missouri targets.
O'Mari Johnson told Rivals.com he's planning official visits to Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tulane. Johnson, who hasn't visited Missouri or received an in-school visit from Tigers staffers, noted consistent communication with wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler.
Mississippi connections run deep between Missouri staffers and Johnson. Peeler and director of recruiting communications and strategy Maurey Bland, who offered Johnson in November 2023, are both Mississippi natives.
"I'd got somebody I trust -- where I'm from -- with my future," Johnson said.
Peeler's résumé with "Nasty Wideouts" and producing NFL wide receivers at multiple schools has attracted Johnson to Missouri. Johnson suffered an ACL injury in his junior season and only played in one game. He's returned to the field for 7-on-7, continuing to improve his route running and catching.
"They like my ability to get yards after the catch and score when the ball is in my hands," Johnson said.
Before an official visit to Missouri, Johnson plans to take an unofficial visit in March.
The Tigers' lone commit in the 2026 class, Anthony Kennedy Jr., scheduled his official visit for June 20-22, a source close to his recruitment confirmed. The three-star defensive end, who is being pursued by other programs, previously told MizzouToday he planned to take his official visit to Missouri in April.
Tight ends coach Derham Cato stopped by Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian on Jan. 22 to meet Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Kannon Smith. Later that day, he called Smith to let him know the Tigers wanted to offer him.
Missouri liked Smith's athleticism and ability to move at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds. Cato said the Tigers planned to visit Smith again in April and look into dates for a visit after then. The program also has a Valor Christian target in Class of 2027 lineman Reis Russell.
Four-star wide receiver Landon Blum, the No. 245 recruit in the 2027 class, will make an unofficial visit to Missouri on either March 8 or 15, depending on when his basketball season ends at Woodbine (Iowa) High.
Peeler and special teams coordinator Erik Link also invited Blum to the Elite Camps on June 5 and 12. The staffers previously extended a game invitation to Blum for the 2024 season opener in August following a flyer for the camp schedule this past summer.
Class of 2027 three-star safety Tavares Harrington will take his first unofficial visit to Missouri for Junior Day on March 8. Tigers offensive line coach Brandon Jones offered Harrington and other Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel recruits Jan. 28.
"I have always been somewhat a fan of Mizzou, watching a lot of their games and knowing a lot of there players," Harrington said Feb. 4. "I have always wanted to see what the school is about, and now, I have the chance!"
Missouri handed out two offers at Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods on Jan. 27 after evaluating three prospects. Class of 2027 lineman Lual Aleu and Jaylen Mercer added SEC scholarships while running back Isaiah Garrett remained on the radar of the Tigers.
Mercer, a Rivals250 defensive end, looked more comfortable off the line from his freshman to sophomore season. Defensive line coach Brian Early, who didn't make the trip, knew the Tigers needed to get an offer out to Mercer.
"I honestly want to play in the SEC, though, because that's where the big time players are," Mercer said. "Not saying the Big 10 ain't got big-time players, but the SEC is where it's really at."
Mercer is planning to visit Missouri in March with his teammates, Aleu and Garrett. At the moment, he's high on Tennessee, a school he's planning a return visit to, while also looking into trips to Oregon and Penn State.
Carter Barrett, who made an unofficial visit to Missouri on Nov. 9, received an offer from the Tigers on Jan. 24, planning to return for Junior Day on March 15. Listed as an athlete at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Barrett jumped on Missouri's radar as an offensive lineman.
"It means a lot to me to have an SEC school on me early," Barrett said. "It's a really cool opportunity to be exposed to a school like that this early on. ... My biggest areas of growth were in my ability finishing blocks, physicality and overall technical aspects of the position."
Assistant director of player personnel Wayne Younger, who assists with wide receivers, offered Class of 2028 wideout Cameron Fuse on Jan. 22. Fuse, who wrapped up his freshman season at Lakeland (Fla.) High this past fall, pointed to growth in learning playbooks and adapting to pace of play. In Fuse's eyes, his top offers have came from Miami (FL) and Tennessee.
Safeties coach Jacob Yoro spent parts of the NCAA Contact Period in California, but he didn't get to meet Class of 2028 cornerback Pole Moala in person. Yoro recently followed Moala on X (formerly Twitter) and offered the Lawndale (Cali.) Leuzinger defensive back.
"In this past year, I think I honestly improved on my technique as a corner as well as my understanding of situational football overall due to all the close game moments we've been through," Moala said.
Moala received his first SEC from the Tigers on Wednesday, marking his 10th scholarship. He's garnered attention from programs across the country, including Penn State, but the freshman noted he's keeping his head down through the recruiting process.
Mizzou Recruiting Notebook: Rivals250 WR plans OV; Junior Day targets
Missouri locked in two Junior Days for March, while continuing to offer recruits in the upcoming cycles.
