Like I wrote yesterday, it’s #ProfileSZN, and the first one is going to be a long one. Brian Neuner, in a special released on both PowerMizzou.com and MUTigers.com, is taking a serial look at Drew Lock, starting with his upbringing and recruitment in Part One (of five).

Beyond all the normal stuff — athletic family, basketball player, competitor, etc. — the most interesting part of the first installment was Michigan’s late recruitment of Lock, after he committed to Missouri in April 2014.

Via Neuner’s profile:

Drew had already completed his senior football season, so Harbaugh’s only chance to watch this quarterback recruit was during the basketball season. Appreciating Harbaugh’s passion for football and his aggressive style, Drew was intrigued. He verbally committed to Missouri, but national letter of intent signing day was still to come, and recruiting is never over until the letter is signed.

They talked at length several times. Harbaugh knew exactly where to apply pressure and create doubt.

”I really liked Coach Harbaugh, but he was trying to get me to change my mind,” Drew said. “He told me I would never make it to the NFL if I went to Missouri. He said he would be the best coach to groom me for the NFL.”

Jim Harbaugh, stand-up guy.

I know, I know. A lot of coaches on the recruiting trail will say things like this. But why say something so patently false? Three of Missouri’s four previous starting quarterbacks at that time were currently in the NFL at the time (December 2014/January 2015): Brad Smith, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert.

I also found that section interesting given where the story is running — in addition to PowerMizzou, it’s on Missouri’s official athletics web site. Usually, you don’t see content that paints another coach or team in a negative light on an official athletics site. Not any big deal, but that jumped out to me.

Looking forward to the ensuing four parts of this Drew Lock series.

Yesterday at Rock M

Drew Lock, Terry Beckner Jr., Terez Hall to represent Missouri at SEC Media Days

Bill’s 5 favorite Missouri tight ends of the last 20 years (are we not doing phrasing anymore?)

More Links:

• Last week, Dave Matter gave his offensive starting 11 for Missouri’s SEC years. Now, it’s the defense’s turn — and the decisions at defensive line are certainly tough. Via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Q&A with Missouri basketball strength coach Nicodemus Christopher, via the Kansas City Star (soft paywall)
• 3-star QB and Missouri commit Connor Bazelak prepares to be Drew Lock’s successor, via Josh Helmholdt of Rivals.com (paywall)
• Gabe DeArmond of PowerMizzou.com answers a wide-ranging set of questions in his latest mailbag (free)
• Mizzou places 69 on first-year SEC Academic Honor Roll (Nice work, student-athletes)