As Gabe posted earlier, we got a chance to have a small-group chat with Eliah Drinkwitz this afternoon. If you haven't already, read our two stories from it:
No surprises on opening day of signing period
Drinkwitz already focused on February signing day
Wanted to pass along a few more items from the talk that didn't make it into the stories or that deserved to be highlighted.
-- First of all, Gabe and I both agreed that Drinkwitz saying there were "no surprises" today was a pretty clear indicator that Missouri didn't expect to sign Dominique Johnson. Think it's most likely that the staff told Johnson to switch positions or look elsewhere. Drinkwitz said he didn't try to recruit anyone who wasn't already committed to Missouri, including players who committed to him at App State. Now, no coach is going to ever say "we wanted this kid but didn't get him," but given how the past eight days unfolded, I tend to believe him.
-- Said both Jay Maclin and Brady Cook will enroll early. We have been told Elijah Young will, as well.
-- Said the biggest areas of emphasis in filling out the current roster will be wide receiver, safety and offensive line. Said he would consider "all options" (grad transfer, regular transfer, juco) to fill out the class.
-- Said the staff has come up with a plan for how to spread out the seven-week ban on recruiting contact but is still awaiting approval from the NCAA.
-- Asked about his philosophy on recruiting players that are committed elsewhere, said "If a kid is interested in Mizzou, then we’re interested in him. But he’s going to have to show us he’s interested."
-- Asked about keeping Walters, he said "the defense was really good" last year. Said keeping the scheme the same on that side of the ball should help players develop and enable them to play faster.
-- He said he has talked to most, but not all, of the players on the roster and feels good about where they're at with keeping guys.
No surprises on opening day of signing period
Drinkwitz already focused on February signing day
Wanted to pass along a few more items from the talk that didn't make it into the stories or that deserved to be highlighted.
-- First of all, Gabe and I both agreed that Drinkwitz saying there were "no surprises" today was a pretty clear indicator that Missouri didn't expect to sign Dominique Johnson. Think it's most likely that the staff told Johnson to switch positions or look elsewhere. Drinkwitz said he didn't try to recruit anyone who wasn't already committed to Missouri, including players who committed to him at App State. Now, no coach is going to ever say "we wanted this kid but didn't get him," but given how the past eight days unfolded, I tend to believe him.
-- Said both Jay Maclin and Brady Cook will enroll early. We have been told Elijah Young will, as well.
-- Said the biggest areas of emphasis in filling out the current roster will be wide receiver, safety and offensive line. Said he would consider "all options" (grad transfer, regular transfer, juco) to fill out the class.
-- Said the staff has come up with a plan for how to spread out the seven-week ban on recruiting contact but is still awaiting approval from the NCAA.
-- Asked about his philosophy on recruiting players that are committed elsewhere, said "If a kid is interested in Mizzou, then we’re interested in him. But he’s going to have to show us he’s interested."
-- Asked about keeping Walters, he said "the defense was really good" last year. Said keeping the scheme the same on that side of the ball should help players develop and enable them to play faster.
-- He said he has talked to most, but not all, of the players on the roster and feels good about where they're at with keeping guys.
