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Full disclosure, this isn't going to be the juiciest Chamber we've ever had. It's a holiday week, Mizzou is on the road, we all carved a little family time out of the work schedule this week. But since some things have happened, we wanted to go ahead and put something together for you guys this morning.
*Hutchinson CC offensive tackle Jayven Richardson committed to Mizzou on Thanksgiving day. Richardson was on an official visit last weekend for the Florida game. He is a massive human, checking in at 6-7, 305. He is the No. 2 junior college OL in the country and No. 11 overall juco prospect. He claims 23 offers including Ole Miss, Purdue, Maryland, Auburn and Arkansas. Getting an offensive tackle that could step in and play next year (be it junior college or portal) was important for Missouri. Javon Foster is headed to the NFL and with Valen Erickson's departure from the program, Mizzou needs a tackle.
There are still some options for the Tigers as far as who plays where. Mitchell Walters still has eligibility and has played some. Brandon Solis will be a redshirt freshman and has drawn some good reviews from people around the program. A portal addition at offensive tackle is still a possibility.
*Richardson's commitment brings Mizzou's class to 16 commitments. Here is what we think is left (we have always said this class ends up around 20 high school players, give or take a couple):
*The closest to Mizzou's next potential commitment from what we hear is current Georgia Tech commit Trajen Greco. Greco is listed as an athlete, but projects as a cornerback. Mizzou is likely to lose its two starters there and is going to replenish depth at the position in this class (they'll likely hit the portal for one as well). Greco visited Missouri last weekend. We'd definitely put him on flip watch.
*The other position we're really watching is running back. Missouri's going to take at least two in this class between high school prospects and portal additions. If the right guys are there, three isn''t impossible. Kewan Lacy visited last weekend. We haven't been able to connect with him and honestly aren't sure where things stand after the trip. Missouri will host two Power Five decommits on visits in December. J'Marion Burnette, a former Auburn pledge, will be in town on December 8. Derrick McFall decommitted from UCLA this week and will visit on December 15.
This may be a first come, first served situation. Our current read is that McFall is probably the most likely to pop, but Burnette isn't far behind. That's not saying Missouri won't get Lacy, but we just don't have as good a feel for where that one stands. Burnette has been vocal about Mizzou on social media the last few weeks and with McFall stepping away from UCLA, we like where Missouri sits there. Even if they get both, we wouldn't rule out a portal addition at running back for the Tigers, especially if they lose one of their own to the portal in the next few weeks.
*Missouri is still looking at two Arkansas wide receiver commits. Ashton Bethel-Roman was in town last weekend and there's been a lot of speculation that the Tigers are the team to beat for Courtney Crutchfield, who decommitted from the Razorbacks earlier this month. On the surface, it's a little tough to see the Tigers taking both of them, but in this day and age, you compile as much talent as you can and worry about how the numbers work out later.
*Offensive lineman Caleb Pyfrom is still out there and worth watching, but with the additions of Richardson and Talan Chandler, Missouri might not be pursuing Pyfrom quite as heavily as it was.
Those are the big names we think are left on the board, but the final three-and-a-half weeks before the early signing day are sure to bring plenty of changes. And Missouri's not the only team looking to poach players. Elias Williams took an official visit to Tennessee and Jaylen Brown is being heavily pursued by other programs. Both have been in Columbia for unofficial visits recently and the Tigers are optimistic they'll hold on to both, but the last few weeks are certain to bring some nerves with the current commitment list.
*The transfer portal will officially open a week from Monday. As we said above, offensive tackle and running back are possibilities. Missouri will probably go after two defensive lineman, one on the inside and one on the edge. They've already offered Penn defensive tackle Joey Slackman. A linebacker is a possibility because nobody expects Ty'Ron Hopper back next season. As we said above, corner is possible because we think Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw are both likely to enter the draft. Safety could be a place the Tigers look as well. There's hope that JC Carlies and Joseph Charleston return, but neither is a sure thing. Another spot to watch in the portal could be punter. Both Luke Bauer and Riley Williams can return, but the Tigers haven't been great there and if the right guy is available we wouldn't rule out another swing at a transfer punter.
So all told, we're thinking 20-22 high school players and 8-10 transfers will be the final tally.
You can follow the activity in the portal as it relates to Mizzou here.
*One quick basketball note: Father Tolton guards Aaron Rowe (he has transferred back, but isn't yet eligible to play) and Xavier Wilson were at Mizzou's game against South Carolina State. We'd expect both to be regular visitors all season long.
Stay tuned every day. It's gonna be a wild few weeks. We'll have Chambers every week in December, but a lot of the activity isn't going to wait till Friday mornings.
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