With the lack of actual football being played, I decided to take a deeper look at each one of the Tigers’ commitments for the 2021 class and break down what makes them so talented just in case you wanted even more reasons to be excited about this recruiting class. This will be an ongoing series with a look at each individual recruit.

Travion Ford

The second-highest ranked commitment for the Tigers in the ‘21 class (according to Rivals) - and an early enrollee in January - Ford has more than earned that ranking with his performance the past couple of years. The Lutheran North standout is a defensive end who has a rare combination of both speed and size that makes him a handful to defend against.

Standing at 6’4, one thing I was impressed with was his ability to consistently play with a low pad level. If you’re not always going to be physically challenged by your opponent at the high school level, then you’d want to see consistent execution of good technique since that’s something that can absolutely translate to the next level. Ford, for his age, also uses his hands at an elite manner— inside hand placed on the lineman’s chest, outside hand on the outside shoulder pad, keeping thumbs up and elbows in.

He’s done very well at extending his arms, using his hands and getting off his blocks. That is another trait that will translate for him as well. Here’s a nice example:

Ford is one of the crown jewels of this recruiting class and could be a candidate for early playing time next year based off of the departures on the defensive line and the fact that he’ll be on campus in two months. Ford is a winner. He’s an exciting prospect and I can’t wait to see what he can does in the black and gold.

If you wanna see more of Travion’s game, here’s his hudl link.

Tyler Macon

The other four star commitment in this class, Tyler Macon, is from East St. Louis and has all the makings of a good college quarterback. He’s athletic and quick, but is also capable of being an effective pocket passer. He delivers accurate throws from a nice base, and has a very quick, compact throwing motion. While not the biggest guy in the room, Macon is no small fry. At 5’11.5 and 200 pounds, there is reason to believe that he could grow a couple inches and gain a bit more weight. Point is, he has projectable size.

Aside from his talents as a passer, Macon is also a true dual threat with his legs. Last season he finished with 1,190 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. Sounds like a guy who knows how to run it and has a nose for the end zone! That doesn’t mean that he’ll be the next Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but just that he his more than capable of being a threat in the rushing game and is quick enough to use his legs to extend plays.

Of all of Macon’s throws I’ve watched, this one stood out the most:

He makes this throw at about his own two yard line, and lets it rip 60 yards in the air effortlessly on a rope. If you look even closer to him in the pocket, you can tell that he’s not even putting all of his might into the throw; that is talent that you can’t teach.

Tyler Macon will be on campus in the next few months, and will begin his Missouri career next season. He’ll have an uphill battle getting immediate playing time with what should be an entrenched starter, but Macon no doubt has the talent to compete at the next level. It’s just a matter of when he’ll be able to put it all together.

If you wanted to see more of Tyler, here’s a Hudl link.