Elijah Young is the latest pick-up for Missouri’s 2020 class

Missouri’s hot streak on the recruiting trail continues, as the Tigers went into Knoxville and gained the commitment of three-star running back Elijah Young — who had a Tennessee offer, mind you.

Now, I know there likely already is a big contingent of fans that will say “Oh, that Tennessee offer wasn’t committable” or some variation of that. My response to that — you don’t offer in-state recruits as the in-state program unless you’re prepared to take their commitment. Because extending fake offers to in-state recruits is a good way to make a bad, bad impression on in-state high schools. That’s something no FBS coach can afford to do with their state.

The Knoxville News Sentinel spoke with Young after his commitment, and the 5-foot-9, 185-pound back address the Tennessee situation, kind of:

Young said he “fully respected” Tennessee.

”I just felt good with where I was going,” he said.

Young also spoke to PowerMizzou.com, and repeated the same reasoning for why he chose the TIgers:

“Just the environment and the whole team just treats each other like family,” Young said of his decision. “I see big things coming for those guys and I wanna be a part of that.”

According to the News Sentinel, Young ran for 684 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. While Rivals ranks him as a three-star — and he’s a three-star by the 247 Composite — 247 Sports ranks him individually as a four-star recruit

His inclusion in this class serves as another hint that Missouri is preparing for life without Larry Rountree following this season. Rountree will be draft eligible this year, and the trend is for successful underclassmen running backs to jump to the draft. Missouri now has two running back commitments in the 2020 class — and no seniors at running back on the roster.

Read into that what you will.

Max Scherzer breaks nose during batting practice

Dear God, has anyone checked to make sure the batting practice pitcher is OK? Because I, personally, would not want to be the cause of a broken nose for this guy:

Of course, in true Scherzer style, he’s not being ruled out of Wednesday’s start — it’s just up in the air. Classic Max.

I guess that’s why they didn’t name him Min Scherzer, after all.

More Links:

• Mizzou wrestling coach Brian Smith won the Don Faurot Sportsperson of the Year Award, and his speech was absolutely fantastic:

• Mizzou women’s basketball announced the addition of Utah State 6-2 wing transfer Shannon Dufficy on Tuesday. It’s a big addition indeed — Dufficy averaged 15.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last year.
• Gabe DeArmond’s Why They Coach series at PowerMizzou.com continues with the newest coach — swimming coach Andrew Grevers.
• MUTigers.com is conveniently tracking the play of Mizzou baseball players in the various summer collegiate leagues. Check out some of these notable performances here.
• If you’re a nerd like me, I thought this was pretty cool. Click the link for the full explanation of the endeavor.