Missouri linebacker Jamal Books bestowed the No. 25 jersey to honor Aaron O’Neal

If you’ve checked the Mizzou football roster recently, you’ve noticed it’s been updated! Every 2017 signee is now listed, though as The Trib’s Blake Toppmeyer notes, there are still three February signees finishing up coursework elsewhere this summer: JUCO defensive tackles Walter Palmore and Malik Young and receiver Da’Ron Davis. They are three pretty damn important members of the class, so here’s to hoping for no last-second hitches there.

Here are the new (and soon-to-be) enrollees’ uni numbers. Each player is a freshman unless otherwise noted.

• 1 — WR Da’Ron Davis (6’2, 190)
• 4 — RB Isaiah Miller (5’11, 195)
• 5 — QB Taylor Powell (6’2, 195)
• 9 — DT Malik Young (6’3, 280, junior)
• 10 — S Tyree Gillespie (6’0, 202)
• 11 — S Jordan Ulmer (6’2, 190)
• 13 — WR O’Shae Clark (5’8, 1600
• 14 — CB Adam Sparks (6’0, 163)
• 18 — S Joshuah Bledsoe (6’0, 190)
• 19 — CB Terry Petry (6’1, 160)
• 25 — LB Jamal Brooks (6’1, 227)
• 29 — DE Nate Anderson (6’4, 250, junior)
• 34 — RB Larry Rountree III (5’10, 183)
• 39 — DE Chris Turner (6’4, 225)
• 40 — LB Aubrey Miller Jr. (6’2, 210)
• 50 — OL Hyrin Morrison-White (6’6, 300)
• 59 — OL Case Cook (6’5, 290)
• 70 — OL Yasir Durant (6’7, 340, sophomore)
• 72 — DT Caleb Sampson (6’4, 285)
• 78 — OL Pompey Coleman (6’5, 300)
• 78 — DT Kobie Whiteside (6’1, 304)
• 79 — OL Larry Borom (6’6, 338)
• 88 — TE Logan Christopherson (6’6, 220)
• 95 — DT Rashad Brandon (6’3, 305, junior)
• 97 — DT Akial Byers (6’4, 260)
• 99 — DT Walter Palmore (6’4, 300, junior)

There is also one freshman walk-on mentioned: Ezra Vaoifi, a 5’11, 220-pound running back from Fort Osage High School in Independence (Mo.) who was in town for spring ball. He rushed for 2,034 yards as a senior in 2013 (here’s his Hudl film — dude doesn’t look anywhere close to 5’11 but runs extremely mean).

I guess the biggest news here is the guy wearing No. 25. As you’ll recall, this jersey is awarded to a young linebacker who shows strong leadership qualities. It long ago became a way to honor former Mizzou linebacker Aaron O’Neal, and it was passed down from Zaviar Gooden (2009-12) to Donavin Newsom (2013-16).

Brooks becomes the first incoming true freshman awarded the honor. He appears up for it.

(Also: some player weights were updated, and Tre’Vour Simms is now up to 6’5, 355. If Mizzou wants a new Josh Augusta for short-yardage situations, I know who I’m voting for.)

By the way, while no Mizzou signee had a two-star designation per the 247Sports Composite, six did per Rivals: Borom, Clark, Gillespie, Sampson, Turner, and Whiteside. Here’s to hoping that if or when PowerMizzou updates this list of Mizzou's ten best recruiting values in five years or so, one of them makes the list.

More Football Links:

• So that “renting out dorms for football games” idea that a lot of people mocked? It’s been a huge success out of the gates.

The offer of dorm rooms for football games has proved wildly popular with the public but area hotel operators are grumbling.

After reporters attending the University of Missouri Board of Curators meeting tweeted that 4-bed residence hall suites were available for $120 a night on football weekends, it took only a day to sell out for Homecoming and Family Weekend. In all, by the close of business Friday, 280 rooms had been requested, MU spokesman Christian Basi said.

• :)

• #MizzouMade

More Links:

• Okay, now the athletics year is really over for Mizzou. I guess. Until the next track meet, anyway. At the USATF Championships in Sacramento this weekend, a couple of Tigers kicked butt. Ja’Mari Ward won the junior long jump title for the second time, qualifying again for the junior world team in the process, while treble winner Karissa Schweizer beat her own school record by 20 seconds in the 5,000-meter run. She finished fourth. (Schweizer is one of 12 finalists for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year, by the way. Damn straight she is.)
• This is a pretty cool message from a Cal assistant SID, who until recently worked with Mizzou hoops head man Cuonzo Martin:

• :)

• Former Mizzou guard Frankie Hughes is a Duquesne Duke. Congrats to him. Don’t eat too much Primanti Bros. during your redshirt year, Frankie.

• Gridiron Girls Night Out! July 20!