Tennessee linebacker Aubrey Miller (6'2, 215) announced on twitter yesterday that Missouri was among his top five schools; Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Iowa State rounded out the other four. His other offers are from Colorado State, Middle Tennessee State and Texas-San Antonio.
Top 5 Top 5 Top 5....... pic.twitter.com/SZ6GD5XwM3
— call me Dõs (@aubmiller126) June 29, 2016
If you look with a discerning eye you might also notice a blurred out sixth school in the bottom right that looks to be a Michigan logo. Speculating wildly this clearly indicates he's hoping for an offer from the Wolverines and this announcement was his way of signaling that, or whoever made this graphic just messed up.
Rated a three star by 247 and Rivals but unranked by Scout, he told Nate Latsch he liked Missouri because they had the "number 5 defense in the nation" last year and he plans on making an official visit to Columbia, perhaps for the "Night at the Zou"?. Miller was the LB MVP of The Opening Chicago Regional and won LB MVP of Rivals' New Orleans camp who said of him:
...moves incredibly well and boasts a frame equipped with long arms. Miller was solid in coverage and showed an ability to move well laterally. Miller’s strength is his versatility, which will only improve as he adds more muscle.
Missouri will be looking to replace departing seniors Michael Scherer and Donavin Newsom and is pursuing some higher rated prospects including North Carolina's Trajan McQueen, Alabama's Jamal Brooks and Texas's Kenneth Murray - who recently listed the Tigers in his top ten and plans to visit.
This does give me a chance to point out that Missouri has offered several linebackers around the country but missed or been eliminated by many of them. Missouri isn't exactly synonymous with linebacker play as perhaps they've been with defensive lineman. If Odom and DeMontie Cross implement the defensive schemes we think they want, top-end athletes who can play in space and rush the passer will be required. That doesn't mean diamonds can't be mined from the rough and Odom really only needs to hit on two during this cycle.
Miller strikes me as a potential replacement for the position Donavin Newsom will play this fall. I think he projects as a hybrid safety/linebacker who will need some time to put on muscle but could be a contributor at this level.
Missouri offers North Carolina LB/RB
Larry Rountree (yes that's spelled without the 'd') is an unranked linebacker and running back athlete from Raleigh, North Carolina. At 5'11, ~200 pounds he looks a little small for an SEC linebacker but appears to be a natural running the ball. He holds offers from Appalachian State, Boston College and Miami (OH).
Missouri offers Tennessee safety
Alec Long is ~6'0, 210 pound three star athlete/safety from Jackson, Tennessee. He holds offers from Arkansas State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, among others. He's already visited Mississippi State and 247 views them and Kentucky as the current favorites.
Missouri makes top seven for Tennessee DT
I missed this a few weeks ago but 6'3, ~300 pound defensive tackle Ben Hutch announced on twitter that Missouri was one of his top seven schools. Texas A&M, Louisville, Memphis, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Nebraska also made the list. Back in April he told Scout.com that Texas A&M and Memphis were #1 and #2, you can check out the video interview in the link.
Hutch is rated a three start by both 247 and Rivals and appears to have ruled out the offers he's received from Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Mississippi.
— #BeGreatBen (@bh57era) June 15, 2016
Missouri will likely be looking to add two or three defensive tackles next year with the departure of Rickey Hatley, Josh Augusta and possibly Harold Brantley. The Tigers were in pursuit of several blue-chip national prospect early but were trimmed from their lists despite Missouri's defensive line tradition. Of course, that tradition was largely built on Craig Kuligowski's ability to coach up talent so new defensive line coach Jackie Shipp has his work cut out for him.
Check out our Recruiting Hot Chart below:
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