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The Missouri Tigers haven’t fared too well in the recruiting game since entering the SEC. From 2012-2016 the Tigers’ average recruiting ranking in the SEC was 12.6 and that average wasn’t helped or hurt with their 2017 class which checked in at 13th out of the 14 teams in the conference.
Here are a few takeaways from their showing at National Signing Day:
Lacking Blue-Chips... again
The Tigers weren’t able to ink any four- or five-star players in their 2017 class. Since their 2012 group that had four players of that caliber, Mizzou has only nabbed nine players who are of four- or five-star talent, with only one being of the latter stature (DE Terry Beckner Jr.).
For context: Five SEC teams were able to bring in at least one five-star player for 2017 and 12 teams were able to bring in at least three four-star players. It’s not hard to figure out why Mizzou has seen their fair share of struggles over the past few years.
They’re simply lacking in recruiting and haven’t been able to compensate for the lack of blue-chip players in terms of on-field results. Until that changes, they will remain in this uphill battle that wasn’t entirely fixed on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
Crushed in the state of Missouri
As you take a glance at the list of recruits from the state of Missouri, you will notice the lack of presence from the Tigers. They were only able to nab one recruit from the state of Missouri, that being three-star athlete Daron Davis of Kansas City, the fourth-ranked player in the state.
Border neighbor Illinois was able to scoop up two Top 10 recruits by comparison. Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Nebraska took the top three. Rutgers got as many recruits from the state of Missouri as the Tigers did.
Last season, Mizzou was able to pick up three in-state recruits in the Top 10, five in the Top 20, and six in the Top 25. This is, to say the least, a far cry from their effort in 2016. Prioritizing the in-state talent has to be at the top of the list for 2018 for Barry Odom & Co.
Defense, Defense, Defense
13 players in the 24-person class were on the defensive side of the ball so it’s easy to see what head coach Barry Odom has planned. Although it’s been the offense that’s given Mizzou their fair share of struggles over the past two seasons or so, the defense also had a rare slip-up last season. Odom is intent on changing that for the future and did so with the acquisition of quite a few safeties, linebackers and linemen.