A big year for Rakestraw.

Eli Drinkwitz’s first big-time recruit is starting to make a name for himself. Defensive back Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., who committed to Missouri over Texas and Alabama from the 2020 recruiting class, is putting together quite the junior season — recovering from a torn ACL injury last season.

Through the first six games this season, Rakestraw has 18 total tackles, one interception, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. His two forced fumbles rank first in the SEC and ninth in the country (stats according to College Football Sports Reference).

Rakestraw’s breakout season has been good enough to land him on College Football’s Comeback Player of the Year Watch List — one of 61 players in the country and 14 from the SEC up for the award.

And how about this? According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, former Mizzou guard Dru Smith has landed on the Heat’s two-way NBA contract after impressing in the preseason. This is awesome news. Congrats to DRUUUUUUUUUUUUU! (Editor’s note: I just screamed reading this)

Meanwhile, some relevant news and notes to pass along from Drinkwitz during yesterday’s SEC Teleconference. Injury updates on Cook and Burden:

Plus, Sam Horn and other freshman are getting more looks in team drills this week. Interesting!

Time for a poll question, a simple yes or no:

Onto the links! Despite the bye week, there’s plenty of #content. M-I-Z!

Yesterday at Rock M

• From Matthew Smith: Where Else Could Mizzou Wrestling Compete?
• Missouri’s Offense at the Halfway Point: A Numerical Investigation, from Nate Edwards
• A re-re-evaluation: Who are the 2022 Missouri Tigers? From Parker Gillam
• Player Preview from Matt Watkins: Ronnie DeGray III
• From Brandon Kiley’s BK’s Bets: SEC Week 7 Bets
• From Jackson Meyer: Looking at how MU’s five portal departures have fared in their new homes

More Links:

(STL Today)

• From Dave Matter: Grading Mizzou football position groups through the season’s first half
• From Dave Matter: Bye week gives Mizzou football time to look closer at QB Sam Horn, other freshmen

(Columbia Missourian)

• Looking ahead from Chad Silvey: If MU’s soccer regular season ended today
• From Kenny Van Doren: Missouri’s bye week allows further evaluation of young players
• Missouri volleyball swept for third time in five games, writes Caleb Logue

(Columbia Daily Tribune)

• Missouri’s bye week plans from Matt Stahl: Healing, learning and opportunities for young players

(Miscellaneous/Tweets)

• Rough season for Mizzou Volleyball continues with a three-set road loss to Alabama, dropping their record to 7-8 (0-5 SEC). More on MUTigers.com.

• From NFL’s NBC Sports Edge: Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll said Drew Lock is “nipping at Geno Smith’s heels in practice.

• ICYMI on the Bye Week edition of “Tiger Talk” with Mike Kelly: Hear from Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Head Coach Lindsey Anderson, NIL Assistant Director Brandon Lee, and Men’s Golf Head Coach Mark Hankins.
• Pain.

• Brandon Ramsey from Kentucky Sports Radio power ranks Dennis Gates at No. 1 among new SEC Basketball Coaches

• Florida State Basketball Head Coach at ACC Basketball Media Day on Dennis Gates:

• Speaking of Dennis Gates.....the latest edition of WhiteBoard Wednesdays!

• Good stuff from Mizzou Women’s Basketball:

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