DaRon Davis goes the distance, and Missouri commits win their openers

High school football returned to Missouri and most of the country last week. With the start of a new season, it's time to see how Tiger commits and targets will fare this season.

Da’Ron Davis

Missouri commit Da'Ron Davis of Lee Summit North High School showed off his speed against Park Hill last Friday, taking a kickoff 99-yards to the house. You know a player has speed when the announcer yells "Da'Ron Davis is gonna take it to the house" when he's at his own 35 yard line.

Davis remains Missouri's highest rated commit of the 2017 class, but Barry Odom is eyeing a big addition in the near future.

Jeff Thomas

East St. Louis and four-star wide receiver Jeff Thomas seems to be leaning the Tigers’ way following the commitment of his quarterback, Rey Estes, to Missouri on August 10. Estes is on board with Missouri and is already actively recruiting Thomas to Missouri, according to Rivals.

Estes told EDGYTIM.com that regarding Thomas he is "already talking to him about Missouri." The tide may have turned for Alabama, as the once favorites now hold only a 6% chance to land the wide receiver according to the 247Sports Crystal Ball, compared to Missouri's 81%.

Landing Thomas would be a Terry Beckner-like move that would benefit Odom's program tremendously.

Aubrey Miller

The Whitehaven High linebacker helped his team to a season opening 33-0 win.

WARNING MUTE THE SOUND

Jamal Brooks

Brooks, linebacker for the Bessemer City Tigers, helped his team to a 26-0 victory in their first game, recording two forced fumbles and one pick six that was apparently wrongfully called back. Perhaps more importantly, he posted a pretty sweet video a few days ago about his commitment to Mizzou.

In other news...

• Pompey Coleman, the Ben Davis HS lineman from Indiana, paved the way for his Giants to complete a 70-0 rout.
• DeSoto, Texas, lineman Hyrin White hasn't played a game yet, but according to this MaxPreps article, his team figures to contend for a state title after the addition of blue chip dual-threat QB Shawn Robinson.
• Bishop Miege three-star wide receiver and Missouri commit Jafar Armstrong recently took a visit to Columbia on August 12, adding that he "couldn't be more excited to be a Tiger next year!!" Armstrong's first game is September 2.
• Dimitri Moore, three-star linebacker from Cedar Hill, Texas, includes Missouri in his top 7, along with Arizona State, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt. Moore adds that he will be an early enrollee and will graduate in December.
• Gentry Bonds, three-star cornerback from Murfreesboro, Tenn., committed to Georgia Tech over Missouri, Clemson, Nebraska, Kentucky and others on August 18. Bonds had included Missouri in his top 5.

Illinois steals two in-state targets from the Tigers

In case you missed it, former NFL and current Illinois head coach Lovie Smith surprised many gaining the commitments of two in-state targets with Missouri leans. Tony Adams, a three-star wide receiver/cornerback from St. Louis University High School in St. Louis chose Illinois over Missouri.

This was followed by three-star offensive guard Larry Boyd from Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis choosing the Fighting Illini over Missouri, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas State, and others on August 13. These two are big gets for Illinois and big losses for Missouri. You can view our full breakdown here.

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