Mizzou Links: The value of the sign-and-place, and the perfect basketball game

What's On

Spirit animals, naturally.

Recruiting headlines expected and unexpected

Last weekend
PowerMizzou.com - Weekend Recap: 1/23-1/26
PowerMizzou.com - Relaxing weekend for Lock

One of last week's commitments came from receiver Brandon Martin, who attends Deion Sanders' charter school, Prime Prep. Because of financial problems and all sorts of other issues, Prime Prep is, as rumored, being forced to surrender its charter. At this point, the school is just trying to stay open through the end of the school year, and it could make it difficult for Martin to qualify for 2015 action. He could end up another sign-and-place guy.

From Damien Nash years ago to Nate Strong in this class, signing kids and placing them in a JUCO to collect a couple of years later is one way Mizzou attempts to derive a recruiting advantage. Gary Pinkel and his staff are willing to allow these kids to occupy spots in their signing class because they rarely actually have 25 scholarships to fill in a given year -- they don't have a ton of turnover. It's conceivable that there's another sign-and-place guy ready to visit Columbia this weekend: Olathe tight end Josh Moore, who posted a pretty hilarious set of tweets last night.

If you didn't know already, I will not be going to Ku.

— Josh Moore (@JoshMoore_08) January 28, 2015

It was a deal where my high school coach tried to force me to go to his favorite school.

— Josh Moore (@JoshMoore_08) January 28, 2015

D'oh!

But I have nothing against Ku. It's a great place love the staff, it's just not meant for me! They're going to do great things in the future

— Josh Moore (@JoshMoore_08) January 28, 2015

He's supposedly a qualification risk, but again, that doesn't dissuade Mizzou as much as it might other schools (like Ohio State, to which he was first committed). And in this case, it might help the Tigers' numbers in the receiving corps in 2017.

And in 2016 news...
PowerMizzou: Lineman Dylan Powell hitting the road

So all it'll take is a perfect game? No problem

MUTIGERS.COM: Tigers Set to Host No. 1 Kentucky at Mizzou Arena on Thursday
The Trib (Courtside View): Anderson looks ahead to Thursday's meeting with No. 1 Kentucky
The Trib (Courtside View): Tigers trying to stay upbeat (and other notes)
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou rallies around Clark
The Missourian: Tigers need 'perfect game' to beat Kentucky

Kul and the gang

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): The Kuligowski Effect: What Sort of MU Linemen Become All-Conference Players?

Former diver...

GaryPinkel.com: Where Are They Now? Jeff Wolfert

After college, Wolfert trained as a free agent. He joined the United Football League, and then accepted an offer to play for the Cleveland Browns. He played in multiple preseason games and

scored a game-winning 45-yard field goal against Detroit.

Wolfert worked on the side by coaching young athletes, and he soon discovered a passion for coaching.

"I found that as I was still pursuing that NFL dream, coaching helped me understand kicking better and actually helped me improve as an athlete, as well," Wolfert said.

As his NFL pursuit came to a close, his coaching career hit an all-time high. Wolfert started a kicking and punting instructional company in Kansas City called KCKicking. The company offers camps, showcases, and lessons for kickers and punters.

...and current swimmers and divers

MUTIGERS.COM: Thomas Earns Second Consecutive SEC Weekly Honor
Mizzou Network: HIGHLIGHTS: Mizzou Swim and Dive vs. Drury

WHATNOT

#Stubble
The Trib: MU softball ranked 17th in another preseason poll

Tennis
MUTIGERS.COM: Tennis Set To Host Spring Home Opener Doubleheader