The Chamber is conflicted. Do we start with good news or really good news? It's tough, because we know so many enjoy the misery-wallowing that is sure to follow news that might not be great. So we hesitate to pass along info that might somehow be construed as positive. But alas sometimes we have no choice but to share news that could indicate the sun indeed rising again tomorrow. To ease you into it, we will start with the good news before we get to the even better news.
FOOTBALL
We are told Shamar Nash has set his official visit to Columbia for June 22-24. The delay in setting the date was due to a family discussion and finding a date when the whole family could make the trip. There was some consideration of waiting until the fall, but Nash wanted to visit this summer. This is also good news in that the visit happens after his official to Fayetteville.
We are not saying it's a slam dunk Nash signs with Missouri, but the chances are better than most on here have been assuming. His feelings about the staff are genuine and he committed to Mizzou when he already had other options. Is it going to be a battle? Sure. But that's not a surprise. The staff absolutely knew that when they took an out-of-state four-star receiver who then transferred to IMG that other people weren't just going to quit recruiting him and he was going to look around some. But you'd rather have him on board and fight to keep him than fight to try to take him away from someone else.
- Another summer official visitor was added to the list this week in the Louisiana cornerback target. After a visit earlier in the spring, he will be back in Columbia the weekend of June 8th. I talked with Ishmael's father, Carlos, earlier this week. He informed me that they may take one other official visit this summer and save the rest for the fall.
Carlos said the reason Missouri is getting the first official visit is because they had such positive vibes during their unofficial earlier this spring that they wanted to come back and have a more detailed visit. While the plan is to take other official visits, Carlos said those plans could change if Missouri blew them away.
- Things are going to develop quickly with Missouri's new quarterback target. He wants to be committed by June 14th and plans to visit Oregon State unofficially, Purdue officially, and Missouri either officially or unofficially before that date. Piferi told BeaversEdge.com that his mother's entire side of the family has attended Missouri dating back to the 1940's.
We're not sure where the three-star prospect stands on Missouri's target board, but it will be interesting to see how his recruiting process will play out.
- The three-star prospect released a Top 7 on Thursday that included Missouri. The two in-state schools, Michigan and Michigan State, appear to be the favorites of Mosley right now. He's also taking an unofficial visit to Minnesota. We're hoping to get in touch with the Detroit area prospect soon and get an update on his relationship with Missouri.
- The three-star prospect visited Missouri on Tuesday. We're attempting to schedule an interview with him currently. Before last weekend, Jansey, Jr. named a Top 3 of Missouri, West Virginia, and Iowa State. He visited Purdue over the weekend and received an offer from the Boilermakers, who now appear to be major contenders. He is planning to make a commitment before his senior season begins.
- How about a couple of team notes?
*If the season started today, Larry Rountree would be the starting running back. That could obviously change by the start of the season and both he and Damarea Crockett are going to play a ton and share carries, but Rountree came out of spring as the top guy.
*Backup quarterback isn't all that clear as we've talked about. From what we can gather, the two most likely to win the job headed into fall camp are Micah Wilson and Lindsey Scott. August will be very important here. If I'm Derek Dooley, I'm telling Drew Lock to learn everything in the playbook backward and forward and not even wear a uniform to practice because there's no way I'm letting him get anywhere near a situation where he could even accidentally get touched and injured. I'm exaggerating...a little bit.
*There only seems to be one question mark as far as the incoming recruiting class goes. There is some concern that wide receiver Danny Gray might not make it. It's not definitive at this point, but wanted to mention it so you guys are prepared. Barring late surprises, everyone else should qualify. If Gray doesn't make it, Missouri is at 85 scholarships.
BASKETBALL
There remains just one question here: What's Jontay Porter going to do?
I've got good news for you guys...or at least the strong possibility of good news. Everything we're hearing is that the winds are blowing toward Jontay returning. Obviously there have been a few reports from NBA sources saying they're hearing he'll probably return. We've talked to multiple people who say the expectation in the athletic department is that he is probably coming back.
Understand, he hasn't told anybody at Missouri he's coming back as far as we can tell. He hasn't made any sort of public announcement and nobody expects him to before next week. And obviously the feeling could be wrong. But the feeling right now is that he's more likely to return for his sophomore season than to leave. Three weeks ago, we'd have put the chances he came back at 5%. Last week, maybe 40%. This week, we'll up it to about 65%. Obviously that leaves a sizable opening in the door for him to leave and until the announcement is made that certainly could happen. But as one person said, there's enough smoke building that "I think we might have a fire."
If Porter does indeed return, he's likely a first-team all-SEC selection in the preseason and a potential league player of the year. He could even turn up on a few pre-season all-American lists (though likely not first team). As Eric Bossi wrote yesterday, his return probably helps Missouri more than just about any return in the country could help any other team.
To refresh, the deadline to withdraw from the draft is next Wednesday. We'll all know for sure within five days.
-Next week is also a cutdown day for Mizzou target Rocket Watts
I think Missouri will make the cut. Would be a bit of a blow if that didn't happen.
That's all. The first tee calls.
FOOTBALL
We are told Shamar Nash has set his official visit to Columbia for June 22-24. The delay in setting the date was due to a family discussion and finding a date when the whole family could make the trip. There was some consideration of waiting until the fall, but Nash wanted to visit this summer. This is also good news in that the visit happens after his official to Fayetteville.
We are not saying it's a slam dunk Nash signs with Missouri, but the chances are better than most on here have been assuming. His feelings about the staff are genuine and he committed to Mizzou when he already had other options. Is it going to be a battle? Sure. But that's not a surprise. The staff absolutely knew that when they took an out-of-state four-star receiver who then transferred to IMG that other people weren't just going to quit recruiting him and he was going to look around some. But you'd rather have him on board and fight to keep him than fight to try to take him away from someone else.
- Another summer official visitor was added to the list this week in the Louisiana cornerback target. After a visit earlier in the spring, he will be back in Columbia the weekend of June 8th. I talked with Ishmael's father, Carlos, earlier this week. He informed me that they may take one other official visit this summer and save the rest for the fall.
Carlos said the reason Missouri is getting the first official visit is because they had such positive vibes during their unofficial earlier this spring that they wanted to come back and have a more detailed visit. While the plan is to take other official visits, Carlos said those plans could change if Missouri blew them away.
- Things are going to develop quickly with Missouri's new quarterback target. He wants to be committed by June 14th and plans to visit Oregon State unofficially, Purdue officially, and Missouri either officially or unofficially before that date. Piferi told BeaversEdge.com that his mother's entire side of the family has attended Missouri dating back to the 1940's.
We're not sure where the three-star prospect stands on Missouri's target board, but it will be interesting to see how his recruiting process will play out.
- The three-star prospect released a Top 7 on Thursday that included Missouri. The two in-state schools, Michigan and Michigan State, appear to be the favorites of Mosley right now. He's also taking an unofficial visit to Minnesota. We're hoping to get in touch with the Detroit area prospect soon and get an update on his relationship with Missouri.
- The three-star prospect visited Missouri on Tuesday. We're attempting to schedule an interview with him currently. Before last weekend, Jansey, Jr. named a Top 3 of Missouri, West Virginia, and Iowa State. He visited Purdue over the weekend and received an offer from the Boilermakers, who now appear to be major contenders. He is planning to make a commitment before his senior season begins.
- How about a couple of team notes?
*If the season started today, Larry Rountree would be the starting running back. That could obviously change by the start of the season and both he and Damarea Crockett are going to play a ton and share carries, but Rountree came out of spring as the top guy.
*Backup quarterback isn't all that clear as we've talked about. From what we can gather, the two most likely to win the job headed into fall camp are Micah Wilson and Lindsey Scott. August will be very important here. If I'm Derek Dooley, I'm telling Drew Lock to learn everything in the playbook backward and forward and not even wear a uniform to practice because there's no way I'm letting him get anywhere near a situation where he could even accidentally get touched and injured. I'm exaggerating...a little bit.
*There only seems to be one question mark as far as the incoming recruiting class goes. There is some concern that wide receiver Danny Gray might not make it. It's not definitive at this point, but wanted to mention it so you guys are prepared. Barring late surprises, everyone else should qualify. If Gray doesn't make it, Missouri is at 85 scholarships.
BASKETBALL
There remains just one question here: What's Jontay Porter going to do?
I've got good news for you guys...or at least the strong possibility of good news. Everything we're hearing is that the winds are blowing toward Jontay returning. Obviously there have been a few reports from NBA sources saying they're hearing he'll probably return. We've talked to multiple people who say the expectation in the athletic department is that he is probably coming back.
Understand, he hasn't told anybody at Missouri he's coming back as far as we can tell. He hasn't made any sort of public announcement and nobody expects him to before next week. And obviously the feeling could be wrong. But the feeling right now is that he's more likely to return for his sophomore season than to leave. Three weeks ago, we'd have put the chances he came back at 5%. Last week, maybe 40%. This week, we'll up it to about 65%. Obviously that leaves a sizable opening in the door for him to leave and until the announcement is made that certainly could happen. But as one person said, there's enough smoke building that "I think we might have a fire."
If Porter does indeed return, he's likely a first-team all-SEC selection in the preseason and a potential league player of the year. He could even turn up on a few pre-season all-American lists (though likely not first team). As Eric Bossi wrote yesterday, his return probably helps Missouri more than just about any return in the country could help any other team.
To refresh, the deadline to withdraw from the draft is next Wednesday. We'll all know for sure within five days.
-Next week is also a cutdown day for Mizzou target Rocket Watts
I think Missouri will make the cut. Would be a bit of a blow if that didn't happen.
That's all. The first tee calls.
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